A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of a formerly unofficial pathway this week, as Salt Spring Island community members celebrated completion of Kanaka Connector Trail improvements Thursday, Dec. 18.
The 100-metre pathway’s southern exit by the Gulf Islands Secondary School has made it popular for students, as well as other islanders headed to and from Ganges on foot or by bicycle. Even on a rainy mid-week afternoon, Thursday’s celebrants had to step aside more than once for people using the busy trail — some stopping to express appreciation for the work.
“And we’ve had a lot of positive feedback on social media,” said LCC member Brian Webster. “A lot of thumbs up.”
Work on the joint improvement effort — involving the Capital Regional District (CRD), Salt Spring’s Local Community Commission, Partners Creating Pathways, Island Pathways and island contractor Sam Erck of Salt Spring Slinger — was completed just days earlier, a combination of improved drainage, resurfacing, compaction and “general clean-up” that substantially upgraded the pedestrian experience on the pathway, which had been used for many years as an often-muddy shortcut between Park Drive and Kanaka Road.
After the CRD acquired a licence of occupation for the narrow strip of land from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit this summer, Erck was commissioned to take on the work of making the Kanaka Connector more of a safe, all-season trail. Senior CRD manager Dan Ovington confirmed the project was funded by the Community Works Fund — federal gas tax dollars allocated to communities based on population.
“Thanks to all the volunteers, the contractor, the staff and the commission for supporting the project,” said Ovington.