Whitehorse Daily Star

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Nancy Brady

Trails designations called a compromise

“This ... is not a perfect solution.”

By Stephanie Waddell on June 29, 2018

“This ... is not a perfect solution.”

Those words from Coun. Betty Irwin at Monday’s council meeting summed up what many on council were saying about the trail designations they voted to adopt.

With the designations far from perfect, members of council also said it’s the best compromise for all.

Among the designations, perhaps the most highly-discussed issue was the plans for Whistle Bend.

It will see the perimeter trail around the neighbourhood designated as a non-motorized trail. The inner loop trail along Casca Boulevard will be a motorized multi-use trail. That will provide a route for riders to get out of the neighbourhood to more open areas for riding.

At an earlier meeting of council, the Klondike Snowmobile Association stressed the importance of having a route out of residential neighbourhoods to the backcountry.

Roadways can be used by ATVs and the like. However, the snowmobile association pointed out that in the case of Whistle Bend, with Casca Boulevard being a top priority road for snowplowing, a trail route is needed for snowmobiles to get out of the neighbourhood.

At Monday’s meeting, Whistle Bend resident Nancy Brady once again addressed council, arguing that both trails should be designated as non- motorized use.

She reiterated several points she has made in previous presentations to council.

By allowing motorized multi-use on the Casca inner loop, she pointed out, there will be noise and air pollution that will impact residents of the area.

Brady has noted that Whistle Bend is a high-density urban area, and has argued that motorized vehicles should not be on popular neighbourhood trails.

“There is an option for road use,” Brady told council members Monday, asking they consider the long-term impact of the decision and make both trails in Whistle Bend non-motorized.

Council members, however, commented that this is the best compromise for now.

Coun. Dan Boyd asked about the Casca route, with city staff noting there is both an outer and inner loop trail along the road, essentially a trail on each side.

Boyd noted his thoughts that that leaves room for motorized and non-motorized users to be on the trails along Casca.

Coun. Rob Fendrick then commented that this is a “good compromise,” though more separation of users may be needed in the future.

“Whitehorse is evolving to a certain extent,” he said. There may come a day when off-road vehicle riders may be required to trailered out of the neighbourhood, he added.

Echoing his comments was Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu.

“For now, this will do for me,” she said, after describing Whitehorse as a growing community that may require trail designation changes in the years ahead.

Irwin then made her comments that though not the perfect solution, it’s the best compromise right now.

The first two readings on changes to the snowmobile bylaw to reflect the changes in trail designations was also approved by council with the final reading set to come forward in July.

Along with adopting the trail designations, council also voted in favour of adopting a new trail development policy that will streamline the application process for trail development.

As well as stated in a previous report to council: “It will allow the city to enter into partnership agreements with stakeholders to develop and maintain new and existing trails, and may permit individuals to undertake trail enhancement projects on city trails.

“In addition, the policy contains terms that enable the city to achieve its objectives regarding public safety, user conflict avoidance, and environmental stewardship.”

Before voting with the rest of council in favour of the policy, Fendrick said he’s pleased to see a policy that will allow a more streamlined approach to developing trails.

Coun. Samson Hartland was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Comments (14)

Up 2 Down 3

Hugh Mungus on Jul 5, 2018 at 3:43 pm

@ Multi-use trails and sillig

There is a (proposed) route out of Whistebend along the inside Casca loop. Is it that difficult to comprehend?

Up 5 Down 4

Sillig on Jul 5, 2018 at 11:12 am

@Hughm

Not sure who Gillis is.....banal but, driving an ATV onto a trailer and pulling it out of city limits to drive in the back 482443 is just silly when there are trails for everyone to enjoy out our back doors. This is The Yukon.....good post.

Up 4 Down 3

My Opinion on Jul 4, 2018 at 4:55 pm

@North of 60

There are a number of reasons why they are different and I could not tell you all of them but one for sure is that they are on the snow and do not destroy the terrain like the wheeled vehicles.

Another I think what was taken into consideration was that there were less trail interactions with others in the winter due to lower volumes of walkers.

Also a big consideration is that most of the major trails were built by them and are still groomed and maintained by them, keeping in mind that they allow complete access to anyone. Very inclusive.

Up 14 Down 3

north_of_60 on Jul 3, 2018 at 5:43 pm

There should be one bylaw for all motorized ORVs. All ATVs, motorbikes and snowmachines should be regulated by one bylaw with fair and equal treatment for all.

Up 18 Down 4

Multi-use trails - I see both sides on Jul 3, 2018 at 3:59 pm

The multi-use trail in Copper Ridge is well-used by walkers, cyclists, ATV's and snow machines. Almost without exception, in 7 years, I have only encountered one problem user, a kid on a dirt bike that just about took out a mom with 2 kids. The trails should be available and used by everyone, but unfortunately there always seems to be one careless or inconsiderate user that becomes the example. I don't know the answer to this, but wish that a multi-use trail could be trialed to at least see if it makes sense to open it to everyone.

Up 8 Down 12

Hugh Mungus on Jul 3, 2018 at 3:48 pm

@Sillig Can I call you Gillis? Okay. Great.
ORVs have the remaining 482,443 km² of the Yukon to ride. Why feel the need to ride a trail that is essentially a dead end that parallels residents back yards of one side and a protected area and a golf course on the other side?

Up 15 Down 10

Sillig on Jul 3, 2018 at 8:55 am

@wannabeKSA

If you drive an ATV and talk like that, we will all be in a gravel pit in Takhini under supervision by City bylaw....needing day passes.
Seriously, grow a set and stick with reality. There are simply very few if any problems, safety or environmental with ATV's in this City...certainly nothing worthy of banning them.

Up 16 Down 2

Jeff Donaldson on Jul 2, 2018 at 7:13 pm

I am moving to Whitehorse this summer and will reside in Whistle Bend in the third Phase area that is still under development. I will be joining the KSA as well and believe in responsible ownership and being considerate of others so Nancy I will not be whipping around the neighbourhood. Yellowknife has a very good trail and sled/ATV route plan that excludes UTVs inside the inner city. It works well. Roads are used when trail systems converge. Just be responsible.

Up 25 Down 4

KSA Member on Jul 1, 2018 at 5:02 pm

I will be a KSA member this winter. Honestly, the association does many very good things for the community. The KSA board should communicate a little more to ensure they represent membership. Members should act like responsible citizens and the association should not own every trail in Whitehorse because that is simply wrong.

Nancy and many others who speak up and go before council deserve respect. People on recreation vehicles should exit the community quietly on trails that are not used or are desirable for walking and skiing etc. Would you want noisy machines roaring past your home at all hours of the evening and night?

Education is very important and the city will eventually decide to undertake enforcement and fine all those who do not register their machines or buy insurance. And be honest, there are safety issues on many narrow trails because of the immature way people operate their machines.

The loud reviving of machines and disturbance that machines cause is a significant concern. Be respectful! If we do not show respect for our neighbours we will lose everything eventually and be banned from the city.

Up 21 Down 9

Stan Rogers on Jun 30, 2018 at 4:59 pm

So, the most important part of city planning seems to be allowing motorized trail use.

Of course they cannot use the road or other side of the street for that means council is seen as supporting quiet homelife which does not fly with the anti wilderness motor heads.

Up 22 Down 22

My Opinion on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:20 pm

Oh and by the way Nancy Bredy, Keith Lay and the bunch. Enjoy your time on all the major trails around Whitehorse that were built and maintained by the Klondike Snowmobile Assoc. and made available to EVERYONE. Stop being selfish.

Up 17 Down 19

My Opinion on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:17 pm

So Nancy Brady feels that Snowmobiles and ATV's pollute too much to be on the trails but to be 8 ft further, on the road would be OK. Let's face it Nancy you are just a NIMBY with your own agenda and it has NOTHING to do with air quality. Bet you own an SUV and bop back and forth for soccer, hockey, dance and what ever else you deem important in your life.

Up 15 Down 29

Akword on Jun 29, 2018 at 4:21 pm

pppbbblllfffttt ....I'm gonna drive my quad/snowmachine wherever I need to....Thanks

Up 9 Down 19

Compromise on Jun 29, 2018 at 4:20 pm

Well a good compromise is what we expected. I am good with this.

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