The Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society wants to take over management of the Cobble Hill Mountain regional recreation area.
Speaking at the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s board meeting on April 12, CTSS president Rick Martinson said the CVRD’s recreation management plan for the area, which was written 20 years ago, addresses a transition from an ungoverned mountain into one that would be maintained with standards and for lots of public use.
But he said that, at the time, the plan stated there were no local groups capable of taking on that role.
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“That’s no longer true as the CTSS has enough size, staff and volunteers and is certainly capable of taking on that job,” Martinson said.
“We have met with staff in the CVRD’s parks and recreation department and have identified seven targets (in the department’s overall plans for parks this year) dealing with hiking trails, and the CTSS will be given the opportunity to manage at least three of those projects.”
Martinson said it’s hoped that if the society does a good job on the hiking trails projects this year, it will show the parks and recreation department what it can do and then might be considered to take on the contract for the Cobble Hill Mountain regional recreation area in 2024.
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According to the CVRD’s website, the Cobble Hill Mountain regional recreation area is a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking that is made up of 26 kilometres of signed trails ranging in difficulty from easy, including technical single-track to double-track mountain bike trails.
Martinson said the contract for Cobble Hill Mountain would have to be carved out of the overall $2 million recreation area management contract that the CVRD sends out to tender every three years.
“Looking after one mountain could be good for us and the district,” he said.
“By the time [the contract goes to tender], we will have established our credentials by working with the parks and recreation department this year.”
Board Chair Aaron Stone said that, hopefully, the board will continue to hear about the society working with its staff and developing great trails in the CVRD.
The CTSS has also recently been advocating the Municipality of North Cowichan to include mountain biking on Mount Richards as North Cowichan prepares to move forward with plans to develop the mountain in accordance with its Parks and Trails Master Plan.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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