West Bay Connector Trail

What's Happening?

The City of Salmon Arm, Neskonlith Community (Switsemalph No. 3), and Adams Lake Community (Switsemalph No. 6 and 7) are excited to announce the start of the preliminary design for the West Bay Connector Trail. 

When completed the proposed 6.5 km trail will extend from the existing Salmon Arm Wharf boardwalk through Neskonlith and Adams Lake Communities to the northern edge of the Adams Lake Community (Switsemalph No. 6) ending near Pierres Point Road (50 Ave NW). The preliminary design intends to honour and incorporate Neskonlith and Adam Lake traditional knowledge and connection to the land with technical insight including heritage/archeological, environmental, engagement, trail design, landscape, active transportation, structural engineering, and safety.  

Project Highlights:

• Safe and Connected Trail: Approximately 6.5 km trail for walking, cycling, and rolling.
• Scenic Route: Stretching from the Salmon Arm Wharf boardwalk through Neskonlith and Adams Lake Communities to the northern edge of the Adams Lake Community, ending near Pierres Point Road (50 Ave NW).
• Community Collaboration: Engaging with the Elders, knowledge keepers and community members to listen, learn and incorporate cultural knowledge and understanding.
• Health and Growth: Promoting community health and economic growth to create a four-season destination trail system.
• Environmental Assessment: Review the project trail area for environmental concerns and effects on local ecology and develop mitigation strategies to support habitat for the preliminary trail design.
• Archeological Assessment: Background review and site visit to review and update archeological information along the proposed trail corridor.

The West Bay Connector Trail project is a wonderful example of communities working together to create a safe and connected public trail while incorporating the cultural knowledge and understanding of the partners. 

Background

The project partners (Neskonlith, Adams Lake and the City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively on the West Bay Connector Trail on January 31, 2020. Since that time, the project partners have received funding for the preliminary design phase of the project including $100,000 from the BC Rural Dividend Fund, $150,000 from BC Active Transportation grants, and $60,000 from other community contributions.

How Can You Get Involved?

One of the most important steps for this project is engaging with you—the communities who have been involved, are interested in, and or will ultimately use the trail. Your feedback, insights, and experiences will help guide and inform the preliminary design of a trail that incorporates the cultural understanding and knowledge while reflecting the needs, desires, and aspirations of those who will walk, cycle, roll and explore along the trail. 

Engagement Timeline

• Technical Review, Site Visits and Engagement planning ⇒  In Progress
• Round 1 Engagement: Understanding the Connector Trail ⇒ Fall 2024
• Round 2 Engagement: Trail Location and Features ⇒ Winter 2024 
• Round 3: Preliminary Trail Design ⇒ Early 2025

Engagement planning, initial technical planning and site reviews are currently underway followed by the first round of engagement this fall where we will meet with with Elders, knowledge keepers, and community representatives from Neskonlith and Adams Lake as well other interested parties to understand the trail corridor. Our project team will use community feedback, technical studies, and environmental, archaeological, and engineering guidelines to identify the location, alignment and features of the proposed trail and to create a draft preliminary design. This preliminary design will then be brought back to the community for review and feedback before the preliminary design is finalized. 

Watch here for more information on activities and opportunities to provide feedback.         

Background Documents

• The City of Salmon Arm Official Community Plan 2011 (2024 update – in progress)
• The City of Salmon Arm  Active Transportation Plan 2022 
• The City of Salmon Arm Greenways Strategy  2011
• Salmon Arm Heritage & Heritage Strategy 2009
• BC Active Transportation Design Guide
• Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by the City, Neskonlith and Adams Lake provides the framework and support for creating the West Bay Connector Trail

Community Links

• City of Salmon Arm
• Neskonlith Indian Band
• Adams Lake Indian Band

FAQ's

Q. Where is the trail located?

The proposed trail will be about 6.5 km long. It will extend from the existing Salmon Arm Wharf boardwalk through the Neskonlith and Adams Lake Communities to the Northern edge of the Adams Lake Community ending near Pierres Point Road (50 Ave NW). The exact location of the trail is still being decided, but we know it will be north and/or northeast of the existing Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway. 

Q. What is a preliminary design? 

A preliminary design for a trail is like a rough draft for how the path will be built. For this project we want to extend the existing elevated walkway west and will have to cross different terrain and sensitive areas to arrive at the final destination.  It includes basic ideas about where the trail will go, what materials will be used, and how it will be safe, accessible, and fun for people to walk, bike and roll. 

Q. What is the project team considering when designing the trail?

• Route: A map showing where the trail starts, ends, and important features like sensitive sites, physical constraints, scenic views or resting areas.
• Width and Surface: Decisions about how wide the trail will be and what it will be made of, like gravel, wood, composite materials, concrete or pavement.
• Safety Features: Plans for signage, wayfinding, fencing, barriers, or lighting to keep everyone safe.
• Environmental Impact: Ideas for protecting plants and animals while developing and maintaining the trail.
• Accessibility: Ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can readily access and safely use the trail.

Q. What are the costs for the preliminary design and where is the funding coming from?

Funding support includes $100,000 from the BC Rural Dividend Fund, $150,000 from BC Active Transportation grants, and $60,000 from other community contributions.

Q. Will there be any ground disturbance for this project

There will be no ground disturbance during the preliminary design phase.

Q. What are the goals of the project?

The main goal of the West Bay Connector Trail is to create a safe trail that promotes community health and economic growth. It aims to be a year-round destination while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on carbon-based transportation.

Q. When will construction begin?

This project will create an informed design for the City, Adams Lake and Neskonlith Communities in advancing the preliminary design (i.e., current scope) to the detailed design phase (i.e., future, beyond this project scope) prior to physical construction of the proposed West Bay Connector Trail. Once the subsequent detailed design stage is established and receives community and regulatory approvals, funding will need to be procured to start construction phase. We will share more information once the preliminary design is complete. 

Q. What are the challenges and considerations for the design of the trail?

The proposed trail includes creek crossings, access points, connections, shoreline and foreshore considerations. (See map above)

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For questions regarding the West Bay Connector Project, please contact:

Jennifer Wilson, P.Eng.

City Engineer

E: jwilson@salmonarm.ca

P: 250.803.4018