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Edmonton’s river valley trails are deteriorating faster than the city is fixing them, even with a major budget increase and volunteer drive.

It’s a problem that seems to effect every type of trail, from paved to gravel and especially the small, single-track nature trails that mountain bikers and seniors hiking clubs adore. Those aren’t even mapped.

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“We have more requirements than we do budget right now,” said Rhonda Norman, the city director who overseas river valley trails. She’s got $5.2 million to spend during this four-year capital budget cycle. But just one project – repairs to a flooded-out trail just south of the Fort Edmonton Footbridge – could eat a quarter of that.

It’s leaving trail users frustrated, struggling with deep ruts, slumping embankments and extensive detours.

“Trails are in a deplorable state,” said hiker and Holyrood resident Glen Argan, tramping down to one steep section on the south bank where deep ruts cut off access to a whole section of valley near the Dawson Bridge. There’s a spot nearby where the retaining wall is threatening to give, which could bring the whole trail section down, resulting in an expensive fix.