The regional district’s KVR trail plan has struck a real nerve with landowners in rural Oliver. And it’s not surprising.
Concerns about loss of privacy, liability, mischief and loss of habitat are valid and should not be ignored. Would you want strangers continually walking by your window?
While we don’t see theft or vandalism being a big problem, opening up your backyard to foot and cycling traffic is not an ideal situation.
Farmers along the KVR route could face liability if anyone got hurt, and they could be required to fence off their properties. The list of concerns goes on.
A popular pathway (hike and bike trail) already exists on the river dike, so why spend money on a new one? But getting tenure on that trail from the province has proven to be difficult, as the regional district has found out. However, the Town of Oliver was able to secure tenure over a section of the trail, which was paved earlier this year.
If you’ve never been on the KVR trail through Kaleden and Naramata, it’s beautiful, and it nicely connects our communities. You don’t hear about vandalism or people getting hurt, and one has to wonder if property owners see or feel any negative impacts from the trail. Cyclists and nature lovers don’t have the desire or the time to be mischievous.
When the trail found its way through Kaleden, the controversy never seemed to end. It still encroaches on Ponderosa Point resort, but agreements were signed and everything is fine now. Many hikers and cyclists access the trail and everyone seems to behave themselves.
Trying to secure tenure of the bike path along the river seems to be the way to go here, although we may have to pull a few stubborn teeth.
Last week’s public meeting at the legion hall was not the ideal venue. It was dark, there were no microphones, and no moderators to keep people in check.
One attendee said he was ashamed to be there, especially when some landowners were booing everyone who spoke in favour of the new trail proposal. Yes, this behaviour was rude, inappropriate and intimidating. Did the proponents boo and interrupt the naysayers? No.
If the majority of property owners along the proposed route don’t want the KVR expanded, the regional district has an obligation to respect their wishes. This will be a true test whether government is listening.
