Activities

The GFCTS has completed many activities over the years that contribute to the betterment of our local trail network. Scroll down to see the full list by year.
From left, John Grandy, Larry Hudema, Wayne Hind, and Ed Matthews installed a new kiosk at the Dam Site viewpoint. July 2021
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John Grandy installs the sign-in box on the Trans-Canada Trail in Summer 2018.
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Boundary Woodworkers Guild members volunteered their time to build two kiosks in Summer 2018, which were installed on the Kettle River Heritage Trail.
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Society member Brad Proctor uses a chainsaw to clear fallen trees from the Riverside Trail. (Spring 2018)
Larry Hudema, hard at work!
July 2021
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Using a gas tax grant from the RDKB, the Society hired a local contractor to upgrade and widen the North Fork section of the Trans-Canada Trail in Fall 2018.
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Society members Robert Linden and Michelle Mallette, along with Chris Moslin (taking the photo), repainted the kiosk at Rockwool Trail Parking Lot. (Spring 2018)
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Clearing rock from the North Fork trail, just north of Fisherman Falls. (Spring 2020)
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In 2020 the GFCTS began offering weekly Scenic Sunday hikes open to the community. Here a group enjoys a view of the Dam Site from the western side of the Granby River.

Shel​ley Grandy clearing a path to the beach off the Dam Site trail. July 2021

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Volunteers cleared brush from the trail edges to provide a wider surface for multiple users at once. (Fall 2018)
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Society member Michelle Mallette and Rigby celebrate finding Lost Lake! (Spring 2018)
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Volunteers clearing a rockfall near Sectionmen Shed spotted some historic rockwork! (June 2020)

Activities of the GFCTS by year:

2018
  • Obtained a $50,000 gas tax grant from Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to continue to widen and improve the surface of the Lower North Fork section of the Trans-Canada Trail
  • Installed kiosks, signs and benches on the Kettle River Heritage Trail between Whitehall Road and Cascade
  • Working with members of the Grand Forks ATV Club, cleared brush and prepared the Lower North Fork trail for surface widening and improvements
  • Widened, graded and rolled the trail from Eagle Ridge to Fisherman Creek Forest Service Road, and added gravel surface from Eagle Ridge to Goat Mountain FSR
2017
  • In May 2017 we celebrated the opening of the first 2.2 kms of the North Fork section of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), running from North Fork Road to Eagle Ridge Road, funded through a gas tax from the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary.
  • August 2017 saw the official opening of the Kettle River Heritage Trail. The first portion is paved from the Rockwool parking lot to Whitehall Road, opening the trail to users in wheelchairs and strollers. The rest of the trail is crushed gravel to Christina Lake, providing a level surface for cyclists and walkers. 
2016
  • 19 May 2016: Renewal of Partnership Agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC (Province of BC) to manage and maintain the trail network around Grand Forks for five-year term.
  • Published the new Grand Forks Walkabout Trail Guide
  • Obtained a grant of $25,000 from Area D Director Roly Russell to install a new surface of crush on the Lower North Fork TCT (designated multi-use).  Together with Emcon and other partners this 2.2 km section from North Fork Road to Eagle Ridge was widened and resurfaced with a local product.
gfcts_partnership_agreement_2016.pdf
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2015
  • Advocated for province to designate the section of the Trans-Canada Trail between Grand Forks and Christina Lake ‘non-motorized’.  This was a lengthy process involving much of the community.
  • Began process of designating the priceless Dam Site Trail an official recreational trail. It was successfully added to the Stewardship Agreement with the province.
  • Trails to the riverside were constructed and signed. 
  • Continued to make improvements to local trails, including the Observation Mountain Trail. 
2014
  • 31 March 2014: Creation of two-year Partnership Agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC (Province of BC) to manage and maintain the trail network around Grand Forks. 
  • March 2014: Creation of "Vision Trail Map" for Grand Forks.
  • Major renovations to the Observation Mountain Trail,
  • Built stairs at the Nursery Trestle
  • Made repairs to the Sectionman’s shed at Fisherman Creek
gfcts_partnership_agreement_2014.pdf
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vision_trail_map_mar_2014.pdf
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2013
  • 29 April 2013: Together with the Grand Forks ATV Club, facilitated the Boundary Trails Agreement between trail users including equestrians, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and mountain bikers. 
  • Completion of the engineering and design for the entire Kettle River Heritage Trail project. Total value: $56,000.
  • Construction of Phase 1 of the Kettle River Heritage Trail from the 68th Avenue Bridge to the Nursery Trestle. Total value: $200,000
  • Trans Canada Trail repairs and upgrades funded through Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, in cooperation with the GFCTS, over the last 10 years. Estimated value: $5,000,000. Much of the labour generously supplied by local contractors and workers.
boundary_trails_agreement_2013.pdf
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kettle_river_heritage_trail_plan_2013.pdf
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2012
  • Construction of the trail head parking lost and kiosk at the 86th Avenue bridge. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Roxul (now Rockwool). Total value: $27,000.
  • Nov. 2012: Creation of plan for paving upgrade to the TCT, the Grand Forks to Cascade section, of the Kettle River Heritage Trail.
grand_forks_cascade_paving_proposal_2012.pdf
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2011
  • Plaza development on TCT at Kettle River Drive, kiosk, toolshed refurbished, benches and signage along the TCT from Hwy 3 to Kettle River Drive. Partners: TCT Foundation, Boundary Woodworkers. Total value: $50,000.
2010
  • GFCTS advocated and supported the City of Grand Forks as it embarked on trail, sidewalk, and drainage development with a Local Motion Grant of $720,000 from the Government of BC and Recreational Infrastructure Grant from the Federal Government of $721,000 and the City of Grand Forks contribution of $721,000. Total value: $2,163,000. 
2009
  • Section One of the 2010 Trail Enhancement Project started with the installation of decking and railing of the Black Train Bridge. Partners: TCT Foundation, Phoenix Foundation, SIDIT, 39 Combat Engineer Regiment, Canadian Military, Emcon, City of Grand Forks, local businesses. Total value: $35,000
2008
  • Installation of Bantam Marker in City Park alongside the paved trail. Partners: TCT Foundation, City of Grand Forks.
2007
  • Fall 2007: Website developed with Netfirms. Total value: $1,200.
2006
  • Ongoing maintenance of trail network, promotion and trails, and recruitment of volunteers, members, and supporters.
2005
  • Spring 2005: Creation of first Grand Forks Trails booklet. Partners: Rosemary Phillips, Grand Forks Printing, Boundary Mapping. Total value: about $5,000.
2004
  • Ongoing maintenance of trail network, promotion and trails, and recruitment of volunteers, members, and supporters.
2003
  • Summer 2003: Smitten Trestle at Christina Lake and Nursery Trestle decked. Partners: TCT Foundation, Canadian Military Engineers, Royal Military Engineers, Christina Lake and Grand Forks Chambers of Commerce, Terasen Gas, Molson Breweries (through Molson "Local Heroes" program), Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary, Pope and Talbot, Christina Lake Golf Course, Grand Forks and District Credit Union. Total value: About $370,000
2002
  • Summer 2002: Cascade Gorge trestle decked. Partners: Terasen Gas, Canadian Military Engineers, Christina Lake Chamber of Commerce, City of Grand Forks, Trans Canada Trail (TCT) Foundation. Total value: about $20,000
  • Summer 2002: Restoration of the CPR Sectionman's shed at Station Pub in Grand Forks. Partners: Grand Forks Rotary Club, Station Pub. Total value: $2,000
  • Fall 2002: 1.7 km waterfront trail created and allows the TCT to pass through Grand Forks along the Kettle River. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Roxul (Rockwool), Canpar, TCT Foundation, Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Foundation, Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary. Total value: about $100,000
​2001
  • 9 May 2001: Incorporation of the Grand Forks Community Trails Society. Founding members: Christine Luke, Sandy Shilling, Angela Gibson, Jean Johnson, Jim Glanville.
  • Summer 2001: TCT through City Park surfaced under a "Go for Green" grant. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Trails BC, TCT Foundation, Province of BC. Total value: $50,000.
gfcts_constitution_2001.pdf
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