Tripleshot Cycling

Lister Farrar wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 1:00 pm Trail Project to connect Camosun to Francis King Park - Volunteers wanted

Tripleshot is joining forces with a landowner in Saanich, and the Nature Trails Society, to build a new, public, sustainable, multi-use trail link between Camosun Interurban and Francis King Park.

This will be a major improvement in the link between the Colquitz and Francis King/Thetis trail systems. It would give an option to the hike-a-bike section at Calvert Park and and has much less time on pavement on Prospect lake road; it lines up with a direct crossing. It's also a great way for Tripleshot to give back to the community and build coalitions and understanding with other trail users, which hopefully keeps trails bike accessible in other parts of town (like Haro Woods).

We have a plan for a long term connection, the best trail designer in greater Victoria, landowner permission, construction and user insurance, and political allies. We just need you to help out on trail building days.

Work ranges from arranging refreshments and lunches, to light pruning and raking, through to pick and shovel work, to heavy rock work building switch backs and ledges that will stand up to regular walking, cycling and equestrian use.

Who benefits? Everyone!
• walkers, cyclists and equestrians: get a natural surface, year round, access from the city, to legal, existing, rural parks trails
• the landowner: gets a maintained access through a hydro right of way to parks and picnic spots, while keeping privacy for his home.
• neighbours and public: the trail will be permanently opened and signed at the driveway entrance
• immediate access: Hector road is a beautiful quiet paved road that offers access to Camosun, but there are possible future links nearby for more multi-use trails.
• The Tripleshot CrossFondo: will have a sustainable route and funding for the youth program.
• The Nature Trail Society completes one of the missing links in its vision of a greater Victoria multiuse trail system

History
When we were looking for a CrossFondo route, we stumbled (literally, through thick blackberries) on a landowner willing to allow a trail across his property. It was a win-win. He wanted a route up to a neighbouring hill for picnics. But hydro trimming on the right of way across his property had encouraged blackberries that had closed off access. It was a pretty key moment in the fondo plan; there was no other allowed access, paved or otherwise between Camosun Interurban and Francis King Park -Thetis multiuse trails; a true east west connector.

The rough trail built for the fondo was fun, but overgrows quickly, and the owner is open to a re-routing into nearby trees which deter blackberries. And to a gentler switch backed eastern access, vs the steep cat track we are using now. So re-building will make a better experience for all users, reduce maintenance, and may encourage neighbours, including those with horses, to allow similar access.

Who's in? Post your preferred work days.

L

• 6:00 a.m. - meetup at Oak Bay High (or PM me for a pick-up en route)
• 6:25-7:45 a.m. - trail-building fun (sturdy shoes and work gloves req'd; Daniel will have tools, but bring more if you want/can)
• 8:00 a.m. - second breakfast, followed by drop-off wherever you like