Photos: Korie Marshall and Laura Keil – MLA Shirley Bond says she is pleased the boardwalk makes the Cranberry Marsh Trail more accessible to seniors and those with mobility challenges, and offers quintessential BC views to visitors.
by Evan Matthews
The MLA for Prince George-Valemount, Shirley Bond, was at Cranberry Marsh yesterday to take in the loop’s newest boardwalk.
The boardwalk was funded by CBT’s Community Initiatives program for almost $69,000 over two years, and also by accumulated funding from the province’s Resort Municipality Initiative. The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) put $291,120 toward the project.
Bond says she is especially pleased that the boardwalk makes the Cranberry Marsh Trail more accessible to seniors and those with mobility challenges, and offers quintessential British Columbian views to our visitors.
“The Cranberry Marsh Loop has been a labour of love for many people in Valemount,” says Bond. “The project provides an accessible look at the stunning landscape of this region”¦ It has potential to attract additional tourists.”
The loop is now made up of 570 meters of boardwalk in addition to dirt trail.
In the past, people making the loop used to have to walk on part of 17th Avenue and the end of Ash Street to bridge the trail sections between the Village’s water treatment plant and the canoe launch and parking area on McKirdy Road. Now they can enjoy two sections of cedar boardwalk through the north side of the marsh, offering stunning views of Canoe Mountain.
Other communities RMI has invested in include Valemount, Fernie, Kimberley, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rosalind, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucuelet and Whistler.
“The completion of the Cranberry Marsh Trail and Boardwalk helps to strengthen the Valemount experience both for visitors and residents,” says Mayor of Valemount, Jeannette Townsend.
