Langford to weigh in on Bear Mountain trail access fees
Langford city council is weighing in on trail access limitations at Bear Mountain that were implemented by developer Ecoasis.
The trails in the Bear Mountain development that connect to Goldstream Park near Langford are popular with outdoor-lovers looking to get some time in nature.
Recently, however, the developer started enforcing a pass program to access the trails.
Non-residents are now required to buy a $45 day pass at the activity centre and sign a waiver to take a hike. The day pass also gives visitors access to the centre’s amenities, including a pool and gyms.
The developer says the new pass program is largely a result of insurance requirements.
"There is no trail fee for access to our trail network on Ecoasis’ private property," said the company.
"We recently implemented a Resort Trail program to limit access to our private lands in order to address safety and liability issues," said Ecoasis.
"Stringent insurance requirements coupled with increased unauthorized traffic on our golf courses and other private lands has prompted the need to create programs that deal with these challenges. This is a land management and risk mitigation program on private property."
Ecoasis also said it held off on enforcing the restriction during the pandemic and is now required to enforce the regulation.
It has now placed security at the trailhead.
Langford councillor Kimberly Guiry says, after hearing from people in the community that were upset about the restrictions, she teamed up with fellow councillor Keith Yacucha to see what the city can do the keep the trails open for everyone.
"So it’s a notice of motion that councillor Yacucha and I drafted together and that just says that we want to have space at the next council meeting in order to have that discussion," said Guiry.
She says the city has a few options to keep the trails open, including potential expropriation.
"This is an option but maybe not the best option. We’ll have a fulsome discussion with council and see where it leads," Guiry said.
Langford’s next council meeting is June 19, where the issue will be up for debate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.