I’m very happy to announce to you that…

Last weekend I signed the Partnership Agreement between SIMBS and BC Parks to investigate possible future mountain bike designation to selected trails in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. The initial area that will be looked at is Partridge Hills (including the surrounding area). This will involve a comprehensive trail assessment of the present inventory that will take place during the 2014/15 period. At the conclusion of this initial assessment we will review the data with BC Parks and seek approval to begin construction, where appropriate, of a consistent and sustainable multi-use trail network. As we enter into this project, BC Parks has asked me to remind our membership that relatively few trails in the Gowlland Tod system at the present time are approved for mountain bike use. Information on approved trails can be found at the BC Parks website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/gowlland_tod/, park information shelters and the CRD Mt. Work trailhead.

Following the evaluation of Partridge Hills area trails, SIMBS has the option to undertake similar inventory/assessment projects in other defined areas of the park under the same terms and conditions.

This is the first formal agreement SIMBS has had with BC Parks. We are looking forward to working closely with them throughout this process.

This will be a large project that will need a dedicated volunteer base to make it happen. If you are interested in being part of this process, please let me know at president@simbs.com

Daniel Cammiade

SIMBS President