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City destroying trail: resident Man skeptical clearing brush along McMahon Frame Lake Trail will make it safer
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 4, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The city's decision to clear away brush along the McMahon Frame Lake Trail has one resident saying the city has gone too far.
Brian Latham stands among one of the clearings along the McMahon Frame Lake Trail that was cut down by city workers in an effort to make the trail safer. Latham says he understands the city's concerns, but believes that work on the trail is being done without any coherent strategy. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
"They've widened the trail a whole lot in the last year, and I don't know what more widening is required. It's at the point of being destructive of the natural aspects of the trail," said Brian Latham.
"Any wider than this, you should just cut it 20 metres wide, pave it and call it Franklin Avenue."
The city began clearing away more brush on the trail late last week after the safety of the trail was questioned by several city councillors during a committee meeting.
One of the measures suggested for improving the safety of the trail included the clearing of overgrown brush and trees to improve sight lines and reducing potential areas for predators to hide.
Latham said he understands the city's motivations for trying to improve the trail.
"I'm not trying to be negative. I know there's a problem and I'm very concerned," said Latham.
However, he said no matter what the city does it will be unable to guarantee the personal safety of all the residents of Yellowknife at all times of the day.
Latham added that while he uses the trail almost everyday, he would never use it late at night.
"If it was late at night I would walk along Franklin," said Latham.
He also questions whether the clearing the city has done will actually make the trail any safer.
Yellowknifer joined him on the trail behind the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, where the brush has been cleared all the way back to the water's edge.
"What's the point? Is somebody going to stand in the lake and attack someone from four metres back?" asked Latham.
"It just doesn't make any sense. Are they thinning the trail or clearing it completely?"
Gaps between the trees will now leave people on the trail exposed to heavy wind, especially in the winter, he said.
"You are getting rid of all of the wind protection for those minus 40 days," said Latham.
The longtime resident said he believes council should have given more direction to administration before staff began cutting the brush.
He suggested that if the city truly wanted to improve safety on the trail, it should consider removing the benches along the path.
"There are very few people who mean no harm using those benches," said Latham.
Coun. Niels Konge, who was one of the most vocal supporters of clearing the brush during last Monday's committee meeting, has spoken with Latham about the trail maintenance.
He said Latham's suggestion to remove the benches was a good one and that he would raise the issue in council.
However, he maintained his position with regards to clearing the trail.
"We have to remember that Yellowknife is a pretty small place surrounded by a whole bunch of nature," said Konge.
"So does cutting a few willows, which I don't even consider real trees, constitute a huge environmental crime? I don't think so," said Konge.
"If it stops one assault on that trail, I'm more than happy to cut trees down."
Konge has yet to see the work that has been done on the trail, but said he would go have a look sometime this week.
In the meantime, Latham has contacted the city with his concerns and hopes they will consider his plea.
"People like it here because it doesn't look like downtown Toronto," said Latham.
"This is a nature trail. You need to have some nature on it."
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