Trails to Economic Development

Beautiful Rossland, BC is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In the early 1990s, community leaders assessed the strengths of the area and decided to broaden its economic base by focusing on its natural features. With a ski resort at nearby Red Mountain, a majority of residents who love the outdoor lifestyle, and 300 kilometers of recreational trails, Rossland is a perfect site for year-round eco-tourism.

A key part of the Official City Plan is to map and develop this extensive network of trails. "The City commissioned the Trail Master Plan, then invited a group of residents to implement it. Volunteers worked for about 18 months conducting background research on the trails, then we formed the Trails for Rossland Society and approached the Real Estate Foundation with our proposal, Trail Development in Rossland: Gaining Access," says Society President, David Nutini.

According to Nutini, the first step is to get the full cooperation of the landowners so people can use the trails. He knows the trails well. Over the past 6 or 7 years, he's hiked or cycled all of them. "Most of the trails are on private lands surrounding the city," he says. "In the past, many landowners were tolerant of public use of trails across their property. However, as more people take to the outdoors in search of recreation, legal issues do arise. He adds that, though rare, occasional disputes have occurred between owners and tourists.

"Owners consider liability to be a significant issue. Until now they've been covered by their own insurance. However, if they enter into an agreement with the Society, they will be covered by our insurance in exchange for the public access to their trails." Although a few owners still have some reservations, most are cooperating. Recently, Cominco Ltd. agreed to allow public use of trails on their property. The Society is also waiting to hear from Beaumont Timber and Atco Lumber, two of the largest landowners in the area. Discussions with them have been going very well.

Though slow at times, the process to date has been worth the effort. "It's easy to get frustrated at times because we've had to hold a lot of meetings. But now we're all looking forward to the day when we can start developing the trails. This will include GPS mapping, erecting signage, and maintaining and patrolling the entire network." Nutini expects the Society will be swamped with volunteers for these jobs. "People here love the out-of-doors. Many of them can't wait to develop the trails."

This project is a good example of a community planning for the future. The trails are a marketable asset, with strong job creation potential. Landowners will be covered for liability, and the community is committed to ongoing stewardship of the trails. Trail Development in Rossland: Gaining Access is a partnership that benefits the entire community while remaining sensitive to land use issues. It's an innovative project that will serve as a model for other small centres in B.C.