Conkle Mountain and Cartwright Mountain Trails Plans
Are you interested in the trails on Conkle and Cartwright Mountains? If so, we want to hear from you.
The District of Summerland has initiated a planning process to develop trail plans for Conkle and Cartwright Mountains. These trails are among the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in the community and the broader region. While a valued community asset, the trail systems have evolved organically for decades without the benefit of a master or management plan. Recognizing this, the District’s 2019 Trails Master Plan identified the need to prepare plans for both Conkle and Cartwright Mountains.
Focused on improving the existing system of trails, the purpose of the trail plans is to ensure the trail system will be authorized and well managed in a way that is sustainable, meets the highest levels of environmental responsibility, and improves visitor safety and the visitor experience.
The plans will propose;
- which trails should be designated and for what purposes,
- where and what types of visitor amenities should be developed,
- strategies and actions that should be implemented to ensure sound visitor management and operations, and
- outline a clear framework for volunteerism and partnerships.
Your input will help us understand;
- opportunities to improve the trail systems,
- management concerns that need to be addressed, and
- visitor amenity and infrastructure priorities.
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you, Summerland! The first stage of engagement has come to an end (September 29, 2024) and we received hundreds of very helpful comments and ideas through our:
- Online Surveys,
- Interactive Webmap,
- Interviews, and
- Trailhead Sounding Boards.
The consulting team is now focused on analysing the input received and preparing a What We Heard Report for each mountain that will present the key findings from the engagement. Once completed and approved by the District later this year, the What We Heard reports will be released on this webpage.
NEXT STEPS
The engagement input will be used by the consultants over the fall to prepare the draft Trails Plans for each mountain.
A second stage of engagement will be held in the winter 2024 / 25 to receive feedback on the draft plans.
At this time, we are planning to have the final Trails Plans completed in the winter / spring 2025.
For more information about the Trails Plans, email recreation@summerland.ca or call 250-494-0447.