The Banded Peak Trail, located within the hamlet of Bragg Creek, will soon connect to trails in Bragg Creek Provincial Park.
During Rocky View County Council’s meeting Feb. 4, council unanimously agreed to apply for a license of occupation with Alberta Environment to allow for the connector trail.
The request to create the natural trail came from the Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association (GBCTA). Members asked County council to allow for the connector. It is a smaller, more manageable loop than the route originally suggested in the area structure plan.
“We are very excited to be proceeding with it,” said Robert Sadee, a member of the association. He said the GBCTA has been working on it for a number of years noting that “it takes a while to get all of the ducks lined up.”
The current Banded Peak Trail connects the Banded Peak Elementary school and the Bragg Creek Community Centre. By providing the connector path, members of these centres can now access trails within the provincial park, creating a significant looping opportunity for trail users, a report to council explained.
“The Banded Peak Trail goes through our back (of the property,)” said Banded Peak Elementary School Principal Deboarah McLaren.
“It’s a natural trail and we would be looking at creating education programs around that,” said McLaren of having access to more trails.
Construction and maintenance of the connector trail will be born by the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association.
Sadee expects the connection to be completed this summer. Rocky View County applies for the license of occupation because the connector is on County land.
In 2005, the Centennial Trail between the commercial area in the hamlet and the Bragg Creek Provincial Park was completed. In 2009, the Banded Peak Pathway was completed, linking the Bragg Creek Community Centre with the Banded Peak Elementary school.
