It took five long years, but the Humboldt trail master plan has finally been completed and changes are already underway.
"It became apparent that at least 25 per cent of the community can't drive," said Patti Durand, former head of the Humboldt Community Trails Association that helped to spearhead the project. "Either they're underage, or they choose not to drive, or they're unable due to whatever limitations they may have."
The trails committee fundraised and managed to hire Dillion Consulting, who helped put together the trails master plan. With this new plan, the City now has a guided assessment and plan of action, including budget estimates for renovating the city's trail system.
Improvements such as wheelchair-accessible curbs, maintained pathways, pocket parks, seating areas, and safer walking or biking routes have been implemented into the city's future plans.
"All the new areas will have to be linked," said Barb Smith, the new head of the trails committee. "The City actually passed a motion that all new subdivisions will have to have green space and will have trails that link up to the master plan we have now. They will continue to be developed and linked together."
Durand originally approached city council in 2008 with a letter expressing her surprise that there was no trail system nor any future plans for one. The City took her letter seriously and suggested she form an advisory committee.
"We wanted to create safe ways for pedestrians to get around Humboldt," said Durand. "It's still a very vehicle-oriented community."
In the beginning stages, Durand said she and the committee went through the streets of Humboldt and evaluated where it was pedestrian-friendly and where it wasn't and where it could be improved.
Once they had finished looking at Humboldt, they went to other communities to see what kind of systems they had in place and what ideas they could mimic here in Humboldt.
"We are a group that is very focused on independent transportation and non-motorized," she said. "The trails will also be friendly for scooters and those types of things."
While the committee has been vigorously fundraising over the last few years, the City has also made a commitment and has been matching them dollar for dollar. According to Durand, they had much help and guidance from Darrell Lessmeister, director of community & leisure services for the City of Humboldt.
"We're very action oriented. We said, 'let's get our shovels and go!' Darrell was the one who stopped us and said if we don't have a plan, we won't get any grants," said Durand.
According to the trails committee, the estimated budget is about $1.2 million. That budget will be reduced by whatever donations they receive from local businesses and their own fundraising. The City will supplement the rest.
"We're hoping to have the core plan, which is the five priority areas, happen within the next couple of years," said Durand. "I would love to see 10 kilometers of trail in the next five years. I think that's pretty doable, but not without concerted effort."
All of the effort the trails committee has put in has been to advise the community & leisure services committee, which makes all the decisions. According to Durand, they've been supportive and encouraging of the entire process.
She also said the end result will be worth the effort.
"The outcome is going to be that people can choose not to drive," she said. "They can choose to bike, they can choose to walk, actually have function in their day."
