By Robin jenkinson
Island Pathways
A three-metre-wide, separated walking and cycling trail linking Fulford and Vesuvius — and connecting Salt Spring with the regional trail networks of Victoria and the Cowichan Valley — is no longer just a dream. After 50 years of vision and advocacy, the stars are aligning. Now is the moment to help turn this long-held goal into a legacy project.
This month, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Regional Parks Committee will review the completed preliminary design and feasibility study for the Fulford–Ganges–Vesuvius multi-use pathway, which was kickstarted by Island Pathways. We need our community’s voice now to ensure current momentum carries on into action.
Mark Your Calendar
Nov. 26 — CRD Regional Parks Committee (Victoria): Submit your letters of support.
Dec. 10 — CRD Board of Directors (Victoria): Join Island Pathways as a delegation.
Dec. 11 — Salt Spring Local Community Commission (at SIMS): Show up in person — we’ll bring the petition signatures!
This pathway alignment has been part of CRD and Islands Trust planning since 2005. Island Pathways initiated design work and CRD Regional Parks took on the contract in 2024, producing detailed maps, cross-sections and cost estimates. But the $630,000 design funding has been delayed to 2027/28, with construction now slated for 2029/30.
We believe Salt Spring is ready now. Island Pathways is calling for design work to begin in 2026. Every year we delay increases costs and risks losing access to matching grants and federal infrastructure funding.
The Business Case Is Strong
Across B.C., multi-use trails are delivering 3-to-6:1 returns on investment.
The Okanagan Rail Trail generates $15 million in annual tourism spending.
Victoria’s Galloping Goose and Lochside trails return up to 600 per cent in health and economic value.
Cycle tourists spend 40 per cent more per day than car-based visitors. They linger longer, frequent local businesses, and support accommodations, cafés and shops right here on Salt Spring.
This project supports our island’s climate and mobility goals, offers safe access for all ages and abilities, and reduces short car trips and ferry congestion — while building a more resilient, connected community.
Inspiration from Our Neighbours
Pender Island Pathways Association recently raised over $140,000 in local donations, contributed in-kind resources and leveraged that into major public investment to build the first 1.2 km of the Schooner Way Trail. Their proactive approach got shovels in the ground. Salt Spring can do the same — and more.
Take Action Now
Island Pathways is raising funds for early design, surveying and coordination. Salt Spring isn’t eligible for major funding now because we don’t yet have engineered drawings. Returning CRD design funding to 2026 would change that. Design readiness unlocks infrastructure grant programs that routinely fund 50 to 80 per cent of construction costs, and the Liberal government’s new budget includes large transportation investments that we don’t want to miss.
Please visit islandpathways.ca/sali to write a letter using our simple template; sign and share the petition; make a donation — every gift matters.
Let’s show the CRD that Salt Spring isn’t just ready, we’re leading and ready to pitch in.