Photo by Margaret Dunphy
Following a successful grassroots fundraising campaign and 2 months of work on the ground, the first section of the new Calgary To Cochrane regional trail is complete. The 2.2 kilometer Bearspaw Trail links the western boundary of Calgary’s Haskayne Park with Michael’s Creek in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The trail winds through beautiful native grasslands on the north bank of the Bow River. This is the most easterly section of a planned regional pathway system (for commuters, hikers, runners, cyclists, and general outdoor enthusiasts) that will connect Calgary to the Town of Cochrane.
Funding for this eastern-most section of Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park’s pathway system was led by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (www.grpf.ca), beginning in August, 2014. A major capital campaign brought in almost $200,000 in generous donations from people like you! More than 700 members of public donated on behalf of their friends, families, and organizations.
Grants from all levels of government, and several not-for-profit organizations ensured the success of the project. The completion of the trail was made possible thanks to support from the Government of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program, Rocky View County Recreation Boards, Alberta TrailNet Society, National Trails Coalition, Trans Canada Trail, The Calgary Foundation, Alberta Conservation Association, Totem Charitable Foundation, Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic, Bow RiversEdge Campground, and The Cochrane Foundation.
It is anticipated that work on the City of Calgary’s connection to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park will begin this in early 2016.
Access to the City of Calgary from the provincial park (through Haskayne Park) will be on hold until the City’s pathway system is complete.
Details regarding the western connection from Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park to the Town of Cochrane will be announced as plans are developed.
Thanks go out to everyone who made this trail a reality!
Trail Donations Continue to Roll In
Pictured above, left to right: David Smith, Heather Smith, Susan de Caen, Bruce Dunlop, and Donna Michael. David, Heather, Bruce and Donna are members of the Prairie Mountaineer Hikers, who made a generous donation of $1237 to the Calgary to Cochrane Trail. The group has issued a challenge to other hiking groups to make similar donations to the Park’s trail system. Thanks to all of those similarly minded groups who helped build Bearspaw Trail!