West Bay Connector Trail
What’s happening?
We are in the second round of engagement, and we need your input to inform the West Bay Connector Trail! In early March, we are hosting an Open House in Salmon Arm and Adams Lake where you can see the trail location, talk to the project team and share your thoughts on trail features. We also invite you to participate in an online survey.
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 will ultimately use the trail. Your feedback, insights, and experiences will help guide and inform the preliminary design of a trail that incorporates cultural understanding and knowledge while reflecting the needs, desires, and aspirations of those who will walk, cycle, roll and explore along the trail.
Drop-in community events on Saturday, March 8, 2025:
Drop by anytime between the times below to learn more about the project and share your thoughts:
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Song Sparrow Hall, 180 Lakeshore Drive, Salmon Arm
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Pierres Point Log Building, 2471 Pierre's Point Rd, Adams Lake
Unable to attend the community event? Take the online survey!
Deadline: March 12, 2025
Visit https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/WestBayConnectorTrail
Next Steps
Join us in early Spring 2025 to see how your feedback has shaped the final design for the West Bay Connector Trail!
Learn more
See below for further information about the project.
Engagement Timeline
- Technical Review, Site Visits and Engagement planning ⇒ Complete
- Round 1 Engagement: Understanding the Connector Trail ⇒ Complete
- Round 2 Engagement: Trail Location and Features ⇒ In Progress
- Round 3: Preliminary Trail Design ⇒ March 2025
Watch here for more information on activities and opportunities to provide feedback.
Where are we now?
Throughout the fall of 2024, the project team met with Elders, knowledge sharers, and community representatives from Neskonlith and Adams Lake as well as other interested parties. The information gathered during the first and second round of engagement combined with technical studies, and environmental, archaeological, and engineering have helped guide the project team on identifying the preliminary trail location and to create a preliminary vision for the trail.
During this interactive process, we have learned what is important to knowledge sharers, Elders, and community members, how they will use the trail and what their vision is for the look and feel of the trail.
To read about what we have learned so far, check out the following reports:
This insight and knowledge have helped guide the project team to identify what the trail could look like, where it should be located and to respectfully highlight the cultural significance of the area. This has been a critical step to help shape the trail location and preliminary vision for the trial. We want to thank everyone who has participated to date.
We have now finalized the location of the West Bay Connector Trail. See the proposal trail location below.
Project BACKGROUND
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.
PROJECT COLLABORATION
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.
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
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 has been determined. To see the location, click here
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
P: 250.803.4018