By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: May 4, 2013
Slow down as you near the end of Cleveland Ave, and you will see the sign: ‘Private property, Trail Continues, Trespassers welcome’.
Peter Legere is one of the few Squamishers who have granted trail access through his private property.
From his living room, he sees a stream of bikers and walkers and joggers enjoying the Oceanfront loop trail.
They have never intruded on his privacy, he says. In fact, he likes to wave to people as they go past his living room.
“This is about being a good neighbour,” he says.
He isn’t the only one to allow people access through his property, but formalizing such arrangements with the district can be an onerous and time consuming task.
The vast majority of the existing trails in Squamish are located on crown land and are managed by the province.
Only a very small percentage of trails (19) are located on district owned lands.
Some existing trails are located on crown land, but many more on privately owned lands.
And that is where an ambitious, but fledgling district plans come into picture: The Squamish Trails Master Plan.
Adopted by the council in March 2011 and spearheaded by the then trails coordinator Todd Pope, it’s a guiding document for trail management in our town.
And working with private land owners to secure trail right of way agreements was its central thrust.
Two years later, how successful has it been?
Not a lot, judging by the district response to questions about the project.
It looks like it’s a work in progress.
District spokesperson Christina Moore said the district ‘continues to make efforts’ to move this forward, addressing the individual issues present on each property.
However, she didn’t say how many property owners have signed these agreements with the district.
We’re confident through continued effort and negotiation these agreements will be reached.
“Once agreements are reached, public announcements will be issued,” she added.
The district recently paid $70,300 to Rick Hunter for parcels of land located between Hospital Hill, Valleycliffe, and Upper Mamquam Blind Channel.
Former SORCA president Cliff Miller said the Trails Master Plan is a far-reaching document, but a sincere effort has been found lacking for its implementation.
“It hasn’t been very successful at all,” he said.
Michael says
About a year ago, I was walking my dog by Peter’s place, and happened to see a collection of items relating to a shared hobby/interest. I knocked on the door, and had a great chat with him for about half an hour. I think this idea is a great way for landowners to invest in the community!
heather gee says
I wish they would pay Peter Legere a similar considerable amount of money for use of his property. Interesting report – it reveals that the municipality treats residents in the same category very differently. That’s the real question that needs to be answered !
Perhaps the authorities would also take the trouble of permanently fixing his and his neighbours’ access road.