This fall, the crew from Kootenay Paving completed the last section of the trail now connecting Castle Rock, through Invermere  and up to the Tim Hortons  at the crossroads.   Now walkers, hikers, runners and cyclists  are getting closer to realizing  the goal of connecting  Radium and Invermere via a safe paved pathway for non-­motorized users.

Greenways’ vision is to build a paved spine trail that will connect both valley communities and extend down to Fairmont Hot Springs along Westside Road.  From the paved spine, many other types of trails can be developed which will cater to additional user groups and activities.

These types of trails can really help bring a community together.

“Just look at the large numbers of people who utilize the paved trail from Banff to Canmore or Cranbrook to Kimberley”, said Greenways  director Mark Halwa. “It  is  great  to  see  national  level  athletes  roller  skiing alongside moms pushing baby carriages.”

A key success factor has been the alliance between all the partners.  The Shuswap band and the Ministry of Transport worked together to make the land available, the RDEK managed the paving project, the District of Invermere has been maintaining the existing trail and Columbia Basin Trust has recently provided a $25,000 grant for another phase — the Copper Point trail.

The current phase was approximately $38,000 ­— the Ministry  of Transport  contributed  $6,000, the RDEK $15,000, and Greenways contributed the remaining $17,000.

Greenways does  have  a  plan  to  connect  the  latest  trail  extension  now  at  the crossroads to its existing Old Coach trail, which extends all the way into Radium, and is currently working with several land owners to ensure the trail will get to the Dry Gulch entrance of the Old Coach trail with only one highway  crossing.

Visit www.greenways.ca or Columbia River Greenways Alliance on Facebook or email info@greenways.ca to find out more and get involved.