Off-highway vehicle trails don’t belong in parks: conservationist
Environmentalists are nervous that the Alberta government is planning more off-highway vehicle trails in provincial parks in its new parks plan.
Alberta Wilderness Association’s Nigel Douglas applauds the government for regulating off-highway vehicle use but he doesn’t want them in Alberta’s provincial parks. “There is a need to have designated places for motorized trails but that need shouldn’t be met within the parks system” he says.
Calvin Rakach technical director of the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association says that the province also needs to think about trail management for all recreation including hikers horses and mountain bikes. “Unless you have a designated trail program for all users you are not going to be able to protect the special places” he says.
Cindy Ady minister of tourism parks and recreation could not be reached for comment.
