The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) recently received $90,127 in funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (ICIP-CVRIS). Thanks in part to this funding, PARC is moving ahead with the Drake Road Trail Upgrade Project.
The Drake Road (Bishops Walk) Trail is a connector trail starting at Cypress View Road through to Drake Road where users can then access Salt Spring Commons, Mouat Park and the downtown core. The trail is approximately 480 m long by 1.8 m wide and is a multi-use community trail.
During winter months or following heavy rains, sloped sections of the trail become flooded, resulting in the trail being inaccessible for users. This project will address the drainage issues on the trail through a Storm Water Management plan which will include recommendations for trail materials and will improve drainage and direct runoff water away from the trail. Detailed designs have been completed and construction work is expected to start this fall.
PARC is responsible for providing and maintaining community parks, trails, water access points, and facilities and also provides recreation programs and services to the communities of Salt Spring Island.
CRD and PARC thank the governments of Canada and British Columbia for the approved funding through ICIP-CVRIS. Repairing this connector trail will benefit the Salt Spring Island community.
For more information and updates visit https://www.ssiparc.ca
Quotes:
Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport – “Improvements to the Drake Road Trail on Salt Spring Island will help ensure that it remains safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy. These improvements will give people reasons to get outside and walk downtown or to Mouat Park on this popular local trail. Throughout the pandemic, interest in the outdoors, and in hiking in particular has grown as people hit the trails to stay active and healthy, while keeping their distance from others. Investments in active transportation infrastructure are an investment in people and benefits everyone living in the community and visitors alike.”
Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director – “Active transportation contributes to emission savings, improved health and safer roads. This trail upgrade is part of PARC’s plan to develop an interconnected network of exceptional trails across the island.”
Rob Grant, Executive Director of Salt Spring Island Community Services – “This announcement comes on the heels of us completing our final phase of Salt Spring Commons, a new affordable housing project owned by Salt Spring Island Community Services. Upgrades to this established pedestrian trail will provide residents and neighbours year-round walking opportunities.”
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Dan Ovington, Manager
Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation
Tel: 250.537.4448