A map of a proposed multi-use trail system shows what could be built connecting the Herson Crossing subdivision with the hamlet of Desert Blume. Councillors approved a motion to allow staffers to develop a preliminary design for the trail.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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The city will begin preliminary designs of a potential new multi-use trail to connect the hamlet of Desert Blume and Heron Crossing. The project’s price tag is estimated to top $1 million, however the city could potentially find savings through a generous land donation and collaboration with Cypress County.
Councillors this week approved a motion to fund preliminary designs at a maximum cost of $70,000, with expectations of staff presenting a design to city council in the first quarter of 2026.
According to a joint review conducted by the city and the county, the multi-use pavement trail would be 1.12 kilometres long and 3 metres wide, with the interior conceptual cost estimate pegged at $1.2 million.
The cost of construction is estimated at up to $814,000 and would be considered a capital expenditure in the upcoming budget. Remaining costs are those associated with acquiring the land.
It’s estimated the trail would require approximately $30,000 each year for maintenance.
The preferred trail alignment would begin at the intersection of Range Road 61A, extending from the existing trail system and travel along the north side of S. Boundary Road to the south side of the Seven Persons Creek bridge.
From here, a road crossing would be added with appropriate safety measures to enter the Heron Crossing subdivision.
Approximately 500 metres of trail would run parallel to the Desert Blume’s residential limits before entering steep terrain traversing down into the coulee slopes before entering the Heron Crossing.
An alternative proposed route along the south side of S. Boundary Road was reviewed but determined to be not favourable due to slopes along the coulee, bank stability and drainage issues.
According to Coun. Shila Sharps, a local landowner may be willing to donate the land for the trail following a conversation, which would lower the trail’s total cost significantly.
“He said he watches these people using their bikes and walking, and they are walking on the road, it’s incredibly unsafe,” recalls Sharps. “We were talking about the land and the land costs, and he very generously offered the land for us to use. It just appears that he was very willing to work with us and do what we needed to do to keep that area safe for the pedestrians, the walkers, the kids.”
However, not all councillors voted in favour of the motion and shared concerns over costs of the trail versus the benefits to a smaller portion of the city.
Coun. Alison Van Dyke said even with a land donation, the project will still cost upward of $800,000 and would serve about 33 homes between the two housing areas.
“That still works out to being $25,000 per household in capital expenditure on this trail, with an annual additional $909 in operating costs per year.” said Van Dyke, who is concerned too many resources are going into the trail when other projects with higher priority remain unresolved.
“It’s not increasing connectivity for the number of people that these same resources put against could help within the city in the higher priority areas, so I worry that this is just like a slippery slope.”
Sharps argued the trail would connect more than 300 homes with Cypress County to the city’s trail system and feels the county has a “willingness” to move forward in the collaborative project.
Coun. Cassi Hider said the trail would be used by the growing number of younger families with children living in Canyon Creek and would improve safety in the community.
“There’s lots of kids out there. The road is unsafe for them if they want to go on their bike… we’ve been out there many times, there’s concerned citizens and I feel that we should explore this again,” said Hider.
The area has been identified as a gap in the city’s active transportation network by the Active Transportation Strategy.
The trail was also discussed during Cypress County’s open council meeting on Tuesday.
