By Times Chronicle Staff
The Baldy Mountain Community Association (BMCA) has received a grant totaling $3,238 by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) for important hiking and snowshoe trail upgrades.
Each year the Council funds projects based on applications and available funds. In this third grant intake for the Outdoor Recreation Fund a total of $335,054 in grants is going to support 47 projects across the province.
As part of its grant the BMCA is planning to upgrade trail markings, signage and mapping along the hiking and snowshoe trails on the east side of the village. The association will supply volunteer labour to do the work of trimming tree branches along with putting up the markers, signage and maps.
The Association noted that Baldy’s trail network is described by authoritative trail guide, sweetsingletrack.ca, as being “impressive for such a small resort,” but also noted that signage is “somewhat confusing”. It added that consistent trail-naming and signage standards were needed.
Several years ago, a signage and mapping project on the west side of the village addressed these concerns through maps installed at major junctions as well as signage and marking, the BMCA said.
“By contrast, the main trails on the east side of the Village currently have minimal signage and no formal mapping. This project aims to bring east side trails up to the same standard as the west side.”
The proposed project will install consistent markings and signage, trail maps at major junctions and updated digital mapping. Online maps will be posted on local sites as well as available through Sweet Single Track. “This project will improve safety, consistency, and user experience across the entire Baldy trail network,” the association said.
Thanking the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC for their financial support for this important work the BMCA said it looks forward to providing trail users an improved experience by next winter.
“The trail mapping and signage project of the Baldy Mountain Community Association is a prime example of the strong commitment of volunteer-based organizations across BC that make a huge impact on outdoor recreation for local communities. ORCBC is thrilled to support increased safety and access to nature on Baldy Mountain,” said Tomke Augustin, Grant Program Manager at the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC.
CA is looking for volunteers to help with the project this summer and interested individuals can contact the BMCA Trails Director at [email protected] .
