City council heard stinging criticism Monday night of one particular proposed amendment to the 2007 trail plan.

So sharp were the comments by Porter Creek resident Keith Lay that Mayor Bev Buckway interrupted his presentation with a caution to choose his words more carefully when speaking about city staff.

Lay, however, shrugged his shoulders, as if to suggest it is what it is.

A strong supporter of non-motorized trails in the city, Lay challenged city administration's rationale for recommending what he describes as a major change in the 2007 trail plan, without so much as a peep – to anyone.

The 2007 plan, Lay and others told council, specifically called for a citizens' committee of broad representation from across the community to oversee implementation of the plan and assist with conflicts.

Lay said the trail plan was the product of significant public input, but now city administration is recommending council go with a committee of city staff and representatives from the Yukon and First Nation governments.

"Isn't this like giving the fox corporation the contract to build the hen house?” asked Lay.

Jeff Marynowski, the president of the Porter Creek Community Association, said nobody has mentioned anything to him regarding the proposal to change the make-up of the oversight committee.

In the six years he's been with the association, he doesn't remember anybody asking about Porter Creek's interest in the committee, period, he told council.

"There has been no attempt to activate this committee to the best of my knowledge.”

Marynowski said suggesting a committee of government representatives is completely contrary to the original recommendation.

The amendment notes the government committee could call on expert input from the community when needed, but, he asked, who decides when expert input is needed?

Marynowski asked council to stick with the original recommendation for a citizens' committee representing a cross-section of the community.

There are, it was generally suggested to council, pressing and serious issues facing the further development of a trail network during which the city will require co-operation and commitment not confrontation and division.

City council is scheduled to vote on the proposed amendment Feb. 27.

Council heard 25 presentations Monday night on the proposed trail plan amendments and the new snowmobile bylaw, which is now before council for final consideration.

Many of the comments expressed applied to both issues.

Some residents had no problem with mixed-use trails shared by snowmobiles, ATVs and residents out for a walk or run.

Others argued there is growing need for a network of trails for pedestrian traffic only, just as there's likely a desire among off-road-vehicle community for trails specifically designated for motorized vehicles.

Christina Macdonald of the Yukon Conservation Society told council there's no reason why the city can't grow a network of non-motorized, motorized and mixed-use trails.

Council, however, needs now to reject the amendment to the trail plan proposed by staff and go with the original oversight committee comprised of members from across the community, she said.

The conservation society, Macdonald added, is hosting a meeting March 15 for those interested in forming an organization to promote non-motorized trails.

Many have suggested there is a need for such an organization, just as the Klondike Snowmobile Association represents the interests of snowmobilers promoting motorized and mixed use trails.

Council heard of polite encounters between pedestrians and those riding off-road vehicles, with vehicles slowing to a crawl to pass by safely.

Members heard of an incident of a pedestrian repeatedly swinging his walking stick at a courteous snowmobiler, even though the trail was designated multi-use.

They listened to the testimony of pedestrians diving off the trail to get out of the way of a not-so-courteous operators.

They heard that in favourite toboggan areas around Riverdale and Hillcrest, there's a tragedy waiting to happen.

They also heard of more and more conflict with nature.

Peter Von Hessoff told council he walks the trail networks in Riverdale daily.

The vast majority of encounters with motorized vehicles he's experienced have been excellent, though some have been bad, involving mostly kids ripping around, he said Monday night.

Once in a blue moon, he added, they've been "downright dangerous.”

Von Hessoff emphasized the environment, especially the area around the Hidden Lakes.

He told council walking the trail network around the Hidden Lakes is a beautiful opportunity, second to none in the Yukon.

But where there was once a nature path, ATVs have created a trail on each side, Von Hessoff said.

He said slopes are being damaged, particularly by ATVs, but also by snowmachines toward the end of winter as the snow cover diminishes and there's less protection for vegetation.

Trenches, said Von Hessoff, are getting deeper and deeper.

"I have seen some serious impact in the last few years, particularly by ATVs,” he told council.

"The danger is you are going to turn the Hidden Lakes into an ATV park.”