The Alberta government last week awarded just over $1-million in grants for trail improvements.
Hiking, skiing and biking trails in the Crowsnest Pass will benefit from a new provincial investment in improvements.
The Alberta Hiking Association received $98,000 for improvements to trails in the Crowsnest Pass.
The Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club received $116,400 for ski trail grooming, maintenance, and signage.
The United Riders of Crowsnest received $48,336 for trail maintenance, improvement, and inventory.
The funding was part of a $1-million investment in the Public Land Trails Grant Program announced Friday.
“Alberta’s recreational trails are enjoyed and valued by many generations,” Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said. “This investment will build on previously announced funding.”
Volunteers with the 14 organizations that received grants organizations will continue their work to keep trails safe, accessible, and work to ensure there are sufficient high-quality and low-cost recreation opportunities.
The Ministry of Forestry and Parks established Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program in 2022 to provide funding opportunities for recreation partners.
In 2022-’23, 15 partner organizations received a total of $1.18-million for non-motorized trail projects.
“As an outdoorsman myself, I’m happy to see such strong uptake of this grant program by trail organizations across Alberta,” Loewen said. “Taking care of our land is a responsible thing to do and is very important to me.”
Other groups to receive funding were the 9-Mile Recreation Society, $17,000; Alberta Wagon Trekkers Association, $8,120 and $45,000; Argentia Beach Sports Recreation Parks and Wildlife Society, $2,231; Hinton Mountain Bike Association, $287,273; Nordegg Trail Society, $120,000; Oldman Watershed Council, $100,000; Rainbow Equitation Society, $32,360; Rocky Mountain Wilderness Society, $37,380, Willmore Wilderness Foundation, $87,900; and Kakwa Sherman Trails Society, $50,000.
Albertans spend $2.3-billion on Crown land recreation annually, and another $376-million on recreation equipment and accessories.
There are about 7,000 kilometres of provincially designated trails in Alberta.
