SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of support for a plowed trail across Frame Lake from the people currently using the groomed path.
Mark Fenwick, who says he has no problem riding his bike across Frame Lake in winter, prefers the trail packed down using a snow groomer. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
Yellowknifer spoke to several residents using the trail Thursday afternoon and most seemed largely pleased with the way it is now.
Ecology North's transportation issues committee says the existing path is difficult to navigate by bicycle and with baby strollers because the tires sink into the packed snow. The group had suggested the path be cleared down to the ice.
The Great Slave Snowmobile Association, which has been contracted at $1,000 a year by the city to pack trails on the lake with a snow groomer, is opposed to the cleared paths, arguing the elevated berms they would create pose a hazard to snowmobilers.
Judy Little, who uses the trail to commute to work every day, insisted she prefers walking on the snow, so long as it is groomed.
"I use it all the time to commute to work and I don't need it be plowed," said Little.
Dennis Hache uses the lake trail to go to Tim Hortons from downtown, and said he has no problem with the existing path.
I like the trail. I think it's well groomed and I don't mind the snow machines," said Hache.
Meanwhile, Mark Fenwick, who rides his bike across the lake and on the MacMahon Frame Lake Trail, insists the snow path is fine for cycling. He also points out that plowing the lake presents an unnecessary hazard.
Besides the hazard berms pose to snowmobilers, he believes exposing the ice to the sun on such a shallow lake would cause the lake to melt earlier in the season. This would present an extra risk to all commuters, as well as reducing the amount of time the path can be used.
"As far as having the trail plowed, it doesn't matter here or there because the trail's packed hard enough," said Fenwick.
"It's fine for cyclists. And if people walk on it, it's packed all the time anyways."
Even Ecology North has tempered its position.
"Most Yellowknifers would agree grooming down to the ice is not a benefit to any user," said Dawn Tremblay, a member of Ecology North's Transportation Issues Committee.
The trail is marked by fluorescent pylons and has a speed limit of 25 km/h for snowmobiles. The city estimates a cleared path would cost up to $25,000 to maintain.
Val Taggart wonders why the city couldn't build both a pack and cleared trail across the lake.
"I don't see why they can't have two trails and just be responsible," said Taggart.
