LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County will be holding public open houses on May 16 at the Bold Center to get public input for a mountain bike adventure park in Alexander Hamilton Park. Construction on the bike trails is expected to get started in July and be completed by fall.
In January of this year, Lac La Biche County council approved the Alexander Hamilton Park Management Plan. As outlined in this plan, there will be a 12-hectare area dedicated exclusively to mountain biking.
According to Jihad Moghrabi, the manager of marketing, communications and engagement for Lac La Biche County, a 14-member advisory committee comprised of residents-including three county staff members - have held three meetings so far, with a focus on getting a site concept plan created that will be on display at the public open house.
“The open house will feature the committee’s first site development plan and highlight the different skill levels and generally where each will be placed throughout the site,” Moghrabi told Lakeland This Week, adding that the project will adopt International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) standards for classifying trails, which he says is the most recognized standard for mountain biking.
The mountain bike area is mostly treed and is located mainly to the east of Alexander Hamilton Park between the current park area and the Bold Centre. Moghrabi explained that the developed area will not change the current use of Alexander Hamilton Park, nor will it have any impact on the existing disc golf course.
The bike park will include a variety of trails and will accommodate all riding levels ranging from novice to experts. Other features, Moghrabi said, will possibly include constructed terrain, wood features, as well as jumps.
“Trails will be limited to “single track” width, which is ideal for mountain biking, and prevents unwanted access by off-highway vehicles,” he said.
Bike only
Because allowing uses such as off-leash and on-leash walking in the tight winding trails of the mountain bike area would pose potential safety risks to people and pets, Moghrabi stated that signage will be implemented to promote public safety and to identify which areas are designated for biking only.
He said the committee brings a diversity of perspectives to the project. He added that the primary focus of the group has been to ensure that people get the most out of the site.
There is also an emphasis placed on protecting the natural environment around the future mountain biking area.
“While getting the most out of the site, we also want to be careful to balance recreational use with environmental protection,” he said. “For example, the site features a small ravine feature cutting through, and we need to ensure that sensitive habitat is protected.”
Regarding the costs of the project at this time, Moghrabi said that council has allocated $300,000 to the initial site surveying, planning, engagement, design and implementation of the first phase of development.
Once public engagement is completed this month, and the County gets feedback from residents, detailed design of the first phase will be completed in the coming weeks.
Presently, County officials are finalizing what will be developed in the first phase of the project.
“The trail network will be developed over the long-term, once we fully understand the opportunities of the site and as more funding is made available through future grants, donations, capital budgets and other sources,” he said.
The May 16 open house will be split into sections through the day, with a noon session designed to allow students to participate during their lunch break, and an evening session from 6-8 p.m. for all residents to attend. Both sessions will take place in the main lobby near the front reception desk.
