Maki Road to Coral Beach Road - Trail Improvements

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Trail Improvement Project has been completed (November, 2020)

BACKGROUND:

Council gave approval within the 2020 budget for trail improvements connecting Maki Road with Coral Beach Road. Work began in May with surveying to stake out the project boundaries and construction will likely begin in late fall.

BUDGET:

$15,000

WHAT:

The project involves the improvement of this important community trail from a nature trail standard to a narrow multi-use standard, creating a more accessible route for residents looking to walk or bike to neighbours’ homes and nearby parks. The proposed route follows an existing right of way connection and is approximately 200m long.

WHY:

In 2019, a community survey was undertaken by the Carr’s Landing Community & Recreation Association regarding waterfront access and recreation. Improvements to this well-used trail were identified as a high priority for neighbourhood residents.

WHEN:

The trail will be closed to the public beginning in the middle of October and reopened sometime in November.

SURVEY RESULTS:

Throughout the summer the community was asked to fill out a survey to help the District get a better sense of who uses the trail and how the community would like the trail enhanced. There were a total of 23 responses. Below is a summary of what we heard:

When asked “Do you use this trail currently? If so, why?”

  • We heard that many people use this trail for a variety of purposes. Examples include: Walking it as part of daily exercise routine, connecting to friends’ homes, and accessing Okanagan Lake / Coral Beach Park.
  • What people like most about the trail is that it provides an enjoyable off-road connection in a natural setting.
  • What people like least about the trail is that it is very steep in sections and slippery when wet. Some said they don’t use the trail due to concerns about accessibility.

When asked “What members of our community do you think a safer and more accessible trail could help most, and why?”

  • We heard that all members of the community would benefit especially due to the importance of this trail as an alternative route to Carr’s Landing Road. In particular we heard that children, seniors, families and those with mobility issues would benefit most from making this trail safer and more accessible.

When we asked: “What opportunities do you see to make this trail better? How would you prioritize them?”

  • Top 5 highest responses:
    • Make the trail less slippery (9)
    • Avoid tripping hazards and barriers to accessibility (8)
    • Make the trail less steep (6)
    • Maintain the trail better (4)
    • Make the trail wider (3)
  • Improving the rocky drainage corridor crossing near the bottom of the trail was specifically noted in many of the responses.

When we asked: “Any stories you’d like to share?”, a few notable ones:

  • “Folks are grabbing the chain link fence to prevent them from slipping in wet and icy conditions.”
  • “I broke my tail bone in this path!”
  • “Just that I love to walk through there in different seasons and see the changes in the vegetation.”

When asked for “Additional comments”, a few notable positive and encouraging ones:

  • “I am thrilled to see this improvement though I do not expect it to be accessible to all...I am happy to just make it a little safer and less muddy”
  • “Thanks for spending a bit of time and $ fixing up one of our hidden gems.”
  • “Visitors from all over the world visit Carr's Landing. We want them to leave uninjured, impressed and most of all - spreading the word that Lake Country truly is "The BEST and most accessible, age-friendly place on earth!" Cheers to us!”

What's Next?

Considering all of the input we’ve received from the community, including the Carr’s Landing Community and Recreation Association, Walk Around Lake Country and the public, improvements to this important trail will involve the following aspects:

  • To improve safety, comfort and enjoyment, the full length of the trail will be upgraded from a nature trail standard to a narrow multi-use standard. This includes:
    • Surfacing with compacted aggregate
    • Lessening steep slopes
    • Drainage improvements
    • Trail widening to 1.8m
  • Three areas of most concern will be prioritized for more significant enhancements:
    • Rocky drainage corridor crossing
    • Steep entrance at Coral Beach Road
    • Long and steep hill up to Maki Road
  • Maintaining the natural character of this trail is very important to the community. As such, the following measures will be undertaken:
    • Careful selection of materials to match local context
    • Sensitive construction methods, minimizing disturbance to soils, vegetation and drainage patterns
    • Immediate restoration of disturbed areas using native grasses

To make the gully crossing more easily accessible, a small culvert will be installed to allow drainage through and then construct a new trail surface over top. The intention is to keep the rock outcrop exposed and hide the edges of the culvert so as to maintain and highlight the natural character of the trail.

Some vegetation removal will be needed to accomplish the goals of this project, however this will be done sensitively. Clearing will mainly affect low groundcover on the edges of the existing path, rather than trees or large shrubs. Immediate restoration of disturbed areas using native grasses will follow.

Trail enhancements will begin the week of October 13th and will be completed by the end of November, 2020. Please read the letter sent to residents within 50 meters of the trail (on the right side of this page).

BACKGROUND:

Council gave approval within the 2020 budget for trail improvements connecting Maki Road with Coral Beach Road. Work began in May with surveying to stake out the project boundaries and construction will likely begin in late fall.

BUDGET:

$15,000

WHAT:

The project involves the improvement of this important community trail from a nature trail standard to a narrow multi-use standard, creating a more accessible route for residents looking to walk or bike to neighbours’ homes and nearby parks. The proposed route follows an existing right of way connection and is approximately 200m long.

WHY:

In 2019, a community survey was undertaken by the Carr’s Landing Community & Recreation Association regarding waterfront access and recreation. Improvements to this well-used trail were identified as a high priority for neighbourhood residents.

WHEN:

The trail will be closed to the public beginning in the middle of October and reopened sometime in November.

SURVEY RESULTS:

Throughout the summer the community was asked to fill out a survey to help the District get a better sense of who uses the trail and how the community would like the trail enhanced. There were a total of 23 responses. Below is a summary of what we heard:

When asked “Do you use this trail currently? If so, why?”

  • We heard that many people use this trail for a variety of purposes. Examples include: Walking it as part of daily exercise routine, connecting to friends’ homes, and accessing Okanagan Lake / Coral Beach Park.
  • What people like most about the trail is that it provides an enjoyable off-road connection in a natural setting.
  • What people like least about the trail is that it is very steep in sections and slippery when wet. Some said they don’t use the trail due to concerns about accessibility.

When asked “What members of our community do you think a safer and more accessible trail could help most, and why?”

  • We heard that all members of the community would benefit especially due to the importance of this trail as an alternative route to Carr’s Landing Road. In particular we heard that children, seniors, families and those with mobility issues would benefit most from making this trail safer and more accessible.

When we asked: “What opportunities do you see to make this trail better? How would you prioritize them?”

  • Top 5 highest responses:
    • Make the trail less slippery (9)
    • Avoid tripping hazards and barriers to accessibility (8)
    • Make the trail less steep (6)
    • Maintain the trail better (4)
    • Make the trail wider (3)
  • Improving the rocky drainage corridor crossing near the bottom of the trail was specifically noted in many of the responses.

When we asked: “Any stories you’d like to share?”, a few notable ones:

  • “Folks are grabbing the chain link fence to prevent them from slipping in wet and icy conditions.”
  • “I broke my tail bone in this path!”
  • “Just that I love to walk through there in different seasons and see the changes in the vegetation.”

When asked for “Additional comments”, a few notable positive and encouraging ones:

  • “I am thrilled to see this improvement though I do not expect it to be accessible to all...I am happy to just make it a little safer and less muddy”
  • “Thanks for spending a bit of time and $ fixing up one of our hidden gems.”
  • “Visitors from all over the world visit Carr's Landing. We want them to leave uninjured, impressed and most of all - spreading the word that Lake Country truly is "The BEST and most accessible, age-friendly place on earth!" Cheers to us!”

What's Next?

Considering all of the input we’ve received from the community, including the Carr’s Landing Community and Recreation Association, Walk Around Lake Country and the public, improvements to this important trail will involve the following aspects:

  • To improve safety, comfort and enjoyment, the full length of the trail will be upgraded from a nature trail standard to a narrow multi-use standard. This includes:
    • Surfacing with compacted aggregate
    • Lessening steep slopes
    • Drainage improvements
    • Trail widening to 1.8m
  • Three areas of most concern will be prioritized for more significant enhancements:
    • Rocky drainage corridor crossing
    • Steep entrance at Coral Beach Road
    • Long and steep hill up to Maki Road
  • Maintaining the natural character of this trail is very important to the community. As such, the following measures will be undertaken:
    • Careful selection of materials to match local context
    • Sensitive construction methods, minimizing disturbance to soils, vegetation and drainage patterns
    • Immediate restoration of disturbed areas using native grasses

To make the gully crossing more easily accessible, a small culvert will be installed to allow drainage through and then construct a new trail surface over top. The intention is to keep the rock outcrop exposed and hide the edges of the culvert so as to maintain and highlight the natural character of the trail.

Some vegetation removal will be needed to accomplish the goals of this project, however this will be done sensitively. Clearing will mainly affect low groundcover on the edges of the existing path, rather than trees or large shrubs. Immediate restoration of disturbed areas using native grasses will follow.

Trail enhancements will begin the week of October 13th and will be completed by the end of November, 2020. Please read the letter sent to residents within 50 meters of the trail (on the right side of this page).