The Regional Trails Management Plan was completed in 2016. It guides decision-making, priority setting, and budget planning for the next decade and more for the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the Lochside Regional Trail and the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector and future regional trails.

Regional Trails Network

This multi-use trail system provides nearly 100kms of non-motorized recreation and active transportation opportunities. The Galloping Goose, Lochside and E&N Rail Trail receive 3 million visits annually. The regional trails network facilitates active, healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities by providing opportunities for recreation and active transportation.

Planning Process & Public Engagement

The plan was approved by the CRD’s Regional Parks Committee in October and by the CRD Board in November 2016. Prior to that, a Draft Regional Trails Management Plan was made available for review and comment between November 2015 and February 2016. All comments received were reviewed and considered. Many editorial changes and a few substantive changes were made based on input from the public and local governments. The CRD thanks all who participated in the planning and public engagement process.

The process used to develop the Regional Trails Management Plan included:

  1. A Regional Trails Survey (2013) provided background information on patterns of use, trail experience, and trail management. Over 2,250 surveys were received.
  2. Initial public and First Nations participation (2014) provided ideas and suggestions for the vision, management principles, management needs, and priorities for the Galloping Goose, Lochside, and E&N trails, before the management plan was drafted. Over 1,300 ideas were provided by nearly 150 participants.
  3. A draft Regional Trails Management Plan (RTMP) was developed. A CRD-Municipal-Provincial Working Group provided input and advice while the plan was being drafted (2014-2015).
  4. Public review of the Draft RTMP occurred (2015-2016). Just under 600 submissions were received.
  5. All input received was considered and the RTMP was updated ( February to September 2016).
  6. The Regional Parks Committee endorsed the plan with minor edits (October 2016).
  7. The CRD Board approved the plan (November 2016).