Published on Monday, 5 November 2018 at 2:28:32 PM
The sustainable management of the loop trail in the Chapman River Regional Park will be undertaken in partnership with the Geraldton Mountain Bike Club, Chapman River Friends and the City of Greater Geraldton.
The recent signing of the Chapman River Regional Park Trail Adoption Agreement will ensure the formalised 11km loop trail is maintained, meets health and safety guidelines, remains environmentally sustainable and respects the cultural values of the Park.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the agreement is about more than just defining roles and responsibilities.
“The Chapman River Regional Park is an important community asset which must be shared for recreational, educational and cultural purposes,” he said.
“Therefore, the agreement not only sets the physical location of the loop trail, it also includes educating users on the benefits of utilising the sanctioned trail whilst working towards preventing unauthorised trail building and use.
“This is extremely important as the Park is home to a large variety of native plants and animals, some of which are only found in this region and they must be protected.”
Geraldton Mountain Bike Club President Paul Spackman said the agreement is the next step in an ongoing partnership between the three organisations.
“The Geraldton Mountain Bike Club have been working on this project for a number of years in partnership with the CGG and CRF. This agreement formalizes our involvement in the maintenance and upkeep of the trail and our desire for people to get out into the park to see an array of native flora and fauna. This is an important asset that we want to preserve for future generations,” he said.
Chapman River Friends Chairperson Jenna Brooker said she is pleased the shared trail had been formalised.
“Chapman River Friends is reassured that the trail route has been formally defined, adopted as a shared loop trail and that together, the City, the Geraldton Mountain Bike Club and Chapman River Friends will be taking responsibility for its maintenance,” she said.
The agreement will also see the joint development of a trail maintenance schedule and encourages working together to seek external funding to facilitate works on the Chapman River Regional Park Loop Trail.
PICTURE CAPTION:
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn (from right) Chapman River Friends Chairperson Jenna Brooker, Geraldton Mountain Bike President Paul Spackman and the City’s Coordinator- Coastal and natural Environment Mike Dufour at the shared Chapman River trail head in Spalding Park.
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