The Town of Battleford is discussing making the River Valley trail system active on the Trailforks mobile app, allowing users to GPS their location. (Destination Battlefords)

By Josh Ryan

Marking the trail

Battleford considers mobile app for trail system

Jan 18, 2021 | 6:17 PM

Many Battlefords residents have decided to spend more time out on the local River Valley trail system during the pandemic and the Town of Battleford is looking to help them to stop and get their bearings more easily.

The town is discussing making the trail system active on the mobile app of Trailforks, the world’s largest trail database and management system. Originally just for mountain biking trails, the website now a way for trail associations to keep track of conditions, allow builders to work and users to plan and share their activities. Mayor Ames Leslie said there have been several requests from groups wanting to be able to have a GPS of the trail system. Destination Battlefords recently pointed out the mobile version of Trailforks has a variety of uses.

“People can log onto the app and they can see all the trails and see if they’re on the backside and can find their way home,” Leslie said.

If Battleford decides to make the area active on the app, it would be part of an effort to improve the experience for those using the trails, particularly in the winter. Leslie said there’s a wide variety of demographics and groups that will utilize it with snow in place.

“Whether it’s cross country skiers or the new fat tire groups that want to use the trail systems for riding their bikes in the winter time,” Leslie said.

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The town recently approved updated signage for the trails that will be built and brought back for approval by around early summer. Leslie said having more clear markers and ways for people to know where they are will help encourage some residents and visitors to get out there.

“It’s a big vast area, so without having proper signage, or perhaps this app, to help people maneuver through trails, it could cause some hesitancy for certain users,” Leslie explained. “This just gives people a little more confidence to come and use the trails for more intended activities.”

Discussion on whether to make the trails active on the app will take place in the coming days and weeks.

Concern for Youth request turned down, amount remains

The town also recently turned down a funding request from Battlefords Concern for Youth at the last council meeting. A local non-profit that provides outreach and mentorship services, the group requested $10,000 from the town in funding, but will instead receive $8,000. Mayor Leslie said council had approved the amount during the budgetary process in late 2020, prior to receiving the request.

“It would be nice to give everyone the money they need, but in a year of this pandemic, we’ve trimmed and tried best we can to make [requests] a reality,” he said.

As a non-profit, Battlefords Concern for Youth will still have other venues to request grant funding.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports