Editor:
The Legacy Trail has indeed been controversial as noted in the editorial “Housecleaning in the Valley” RMO Sept 20.
Like many bike enthusiasts from Canmore and area I have enjoyed many an outing on this splendid pathway and appreciate everything it offers the recreational rider.
I also recognize the tremendous effort it took to build – takes to maintain, and the great example of taxpayers money put to good use it represents.
Part of the controversy arises when one parks their vehicle (if that is necessary) to access the trailhead by bike at the east gate. I avoid parking at the east gate by riding from my home in Canmore or parking my vehicle in the approved parking lot paralleling the road near the entrance to the Hamlet of Harvie Heights – five to 10 minutes away from the trailhead.
As one enters the Legacy Trail at the east gate you can’t avoid noticing (at times) large numbers of vehicles parked right under and near the “No Parking” signs at the crossover median, immediately east of the gate. Often I’d like to park there too since people seem to use the space with no apparent consequences.
I’ve presumed this area’s been flagged unsafe as a crossover point to access the Legacy Trail-head because of the extreme danger it presents to, pedestrian and biker alike, as vehicles leave the park and wind up to 130 km/h.
The site may eventually be a disaster for all involved in the entanglement, if something isn’t done about it soon.
Today (Sept. 20) I phoned the Canmore detachment of the RCMP (403-678-5519) for clarification. I spoke with an officer asking whether parking in this location was OK, and if the “No Parking” signs were merely a joke, or simply something else ignored by the motoring public with no apparent consequence.
The officer informed me that just because there is no parking ticket waving away in the breeze on the windows of the illegally parked there, does not mean that patrolling officers are not ticketing those breaching the rule. He stated, “The tickets are sent out in the mail.” Has it been a good summer for the folks counting the loot?
The Legacy Trail continues to be controversial. No doubt there’s been some pricey bike rides for those who choose to ignore, or simply don’t see the “No Parking” signs at the east park gate cross-over median.
Alvin Shier,
Canmore
