GF ATV Seeks Executive Members
Your executive committee is on track to a successful year. Members of the events committee have been busy planning, and have already attended two events so far in 2024. The first was the Family Day event held at the Boundary Museum where members provided the general public rides on multi-seat ATVs. The second was the Parade of Programs held in Grand Forks at Perley Elementary School’s gymnasium where local recreation groups showcased their activities. Great job events committee!
Yes, the Boundary Museum and Archives Family Day event was one of the most participated event with most of the machines going all day. People appeared to prefer the 4 seater machines as the two of us offering 3 passengers space were kept busy full time.
The club’s setup was in my opinion optimum. With Anna greeting people, obtaining the necessary liability signatures and then assigning machines and operators our process was seamless. If anyone needed assistance it would be Anna at our sign in table as she was kept very busy. I thanked Anna after our very successful day as she did a fantastic job keeping everything and everyone rolling. The ride was short (2 Klm’s) but as it was cold maybe this was for the best.
We gave information out on each ride about Doukhobor history and I was surprised that I learned more about this topic from some of our passengers.
Very good event and I was proud to be part of it.
Hal Wright – Grand Forks ATV Member / Volunteer
This year we are working hard to attract new members to the team. We’re seeking a new president to chair meetings and keep us on track, a vice-president to assist the president with duties, and several directors to manage areas of interest such as events, maintenance, rides, projects, maps, and more. We are now working with Office365 business collaboration tools, and meet regularly to keep the group active. We are establishing roles and responsibilities for directors to lead an area of interest. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Grand Forks ATV Executive Committee, please email info@grandforksatv.ca or call (250) 584-4685.
- Do you enjoy planning events? We are looking for a director of events and events committee members!
- Do you enjoy maintenance of recreation sites and trails? We are looking for a director of maintenance!
- Do you enjoy leading rides and exploring the region with others? We are looking for a director of rides!
- Do you enjoy working with GPS and mapping tools? We are looking for a director of mapping!
- Do you enjoy leading an executive committee? We are looking for a president, vice-president, and secretary!
- Want to be part of the team? We are looking for you to join our executive committee!
Ride, Ride, Ride, Let it Ride
Big Sugar – Musician
You like to get out and ride your ATV, right? Why not become a Director of Rides for Grand Forks ATV and organize club rides and tours throughout the region. This rewarding position allows you to provide others the opportunity to comfortably explore a new area and for all to meet others that enjoy similar ATV activities. If you’re interested in being a director, please email info@grandforksatv.ca or call (250) 584-4685.
Minimal Snow = Early Riding
With minimal snow accumulation at lower elevations, some ATV riders are eager to get out and explore early. Understandable, but keep in mind that it’s still winter conditions in our region, especially in the mountains, and conditions can change very quickly. If you decide to adventure out, make sure you’re well prepared, machine is serviced, tires checked, etc. and expect all types of weather and temperatures as you travel along.
Here are photos of a ride members went on March 10, 2024. The group left from Goat Mountain, approximately 4km north of Grand Forks and toured up the Columbia Western Rail Trail to Eholt, BC. Valley views of the Granby River, Fisherman’s Waterfall, and Tunnels, made up the spectacular sights along the way. Huge thank you to Jesse Holtorf for leading the group.
Website and Maps Update
Our website, gfatv.ca, has recently been updated by Bulletproof Web Services (Cody Zorn) who donated services updating the hosting platform and organizing the information provided. We now have more digital maps of our region, riding areas, and loop trails available on our website. We’ve been testing out Google Maps and Gaia GPS Maps on the site, so let us know which ones you like best.
Franklin Heritage Trail | Heritage Status Approved by Province
We are proud to announce that as of March 2024, we have received confirmation from the Province that the Franklin Trail has been added to the Provincial heritage register. With this designation, the trail is protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. Big thank you to the RDKB for making this happen. For more information, see the following link.
Recreation Site | Spring Maintenance
Spring cleanup day for the six recreation sites up the North Fork is May 11, 2024. The idea is to meet at 28-Mile Bridge on Saturday morning to discuss plans, and disperse volunteers from there. As this is a club sanctioned maintenance party, we will need to have everyone signup and let us know your credentials prior to operating equipment. It’s a requirement of our insurance, done annually, to ensure safety expectations are met. If you’re interested in coming out, please email info@grandforksatv.ca or call (250) 584-4685.
Trans Canada Trail | Limited Potential for Economic Activity
When considering the vast capacity of the Trans Canada Trail as a transportation corridor through our region, we are limiting economic opportunities by restricting access to only specific users. If we want to realize the true economic value of a Trans Canada Trail, it needs to be open to all trail users.
Imagine limiting the Trans Canada Highway to passenger vehicles so big semi-trucks moving freight have to use alternate routes. Well, that is what is happening on our Trans Canada Trail today, limiting the economic potential of our region to benefit a specific user.
This type of wide surface, multi-community, inter provincial trail is suitable for, and should be open to everyone, while the trail itself will surely determine who or what will use it.
Being exclusive instead of inclusive, only contributes to division in our trails community, putting one user against another. Exclusion only limits our ability as a community to develop and maintain a welcoming and safe trail network throughout the region.
Thank You | Members and Volunteers
We would like to acknowledge the hard work of our members and volunteers that make Grand Forks ATV and the trail networks we maintain possible. It’s because of your dedication and contributions that we are able to achieve the successful events and projects we do. Our inclusive approach to trail management will guarantee success as we move forward with, Trails to the Future.
