Listen to daily commentary from program director Murray Wood
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot and who's not. This week's list focuses ...
With temperatures rising, the snow melting and the ground beginning to thaw, a lot of people will be out on Saskatoon’s trails this weekend.
But the Saskatoon Trail Alliance is asking residents to hold off on running, walking or cycling on some of the trails until the ground isn’t quite so wet.
Read More:
- Summer splashes into Saskatoon with Pelican plunge
- Spring arrives at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
- Slow melt affecting spring runoff in many parts of Saskatchewan
The group, which was established in 2018, is made up of volunteers who maintain and repair Saskatoon’s network of single-track trails, working alongside the City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority.
“We co-ordinate with them and have plans approved through them, so we have a full agreement,” said Ryan Graf, the group’s president.
Single-track trails are gravel or dirt trails that are used by recreational hikers and cyclists between the paved Meewasin trail and the riverbank.
Graf said those trails still need some time to dry out. It could take a couple of weeks, but it could be longer before trails on the west side of Saskatoon, or those shaded by trees, are in good enough shape to use.
“Our message is to stay off the trails when they are wet in our springtime drainage period. Ultimately, that is just to preserve the trails,” he explained.
“As you’re out there using them, your boot prints or bike tracks end up causing erosion and causing ruts, which makes the drainage last even longer.”
He added that it takes an enormous amount of time for the volunteers to repair the trails so they’re safe and usable for everyone, which can take time away from other areas that need more urgent repairs.
“Just give them some time to dry out and let all that ice melt,” he added. “You are going to get very muddy boots and cause damage.”
Graf says the Meewasin trail is in much better shape, and most of the single-track trails are still covered by snow and ice.
The Saskatoon Trail Alliance is asking trail users to avoid areas where the ground is still soft, in order to avoid causing damage. (Saskatoon Trail Alliance/Submitted)
