Thanks to a $10,000 grant from RDKB Area B and regional director Linda Worley, the Friends of the Rossland Range (FORR) society will create its first accessible trail this summer.
The trail will be built to allow people with mobility issues to get to Booty’s Cabin in Strawberry Pass. The plan is to build a trail suitable for wheelchairs that passes through beautiful, large, old-growth trees and along a creek, leading to the cabin.
Booty’s Cabin will also be made wheelchair accessible.
FORR hopes to find ways to enable people with mobility issues to use the trail in winter as well.
Accessible trails are flatter and wider than other trails, with relatively hard surfaces. A bridge will also have to be built. Construction plans will be based on similar-use trails in other areas.
The project, with a budget of $40,000, is expected to be part of a first stage of accessible trails at the site.
“Hopefully, this will be the beginning of building other accessible trails and loops,” said FORR chair Kim Deane.
The terrain is suitable for enhancements and additional length and loops. Further development will be based on operational know-how gained by FORR and trail users.
FORR manages the Rossland Range Recreation Site on Strawberry Pass off Highway 3B. The site is a free, public-use recreation area enjoyed by many in the community.