Grand Forks ATV Club undertakes projects to promote increased environment and wildlife responsibility when using recreation trails. Safe trails for all shared users.
Past Projects
2011 – Natural Resource Road Act
2012 – New Horizons for Seniors – Get Up, Get Out, and Join In!
One of their first projects was a New Horizon’s for Seniors grant possibility, the official name of the project was Get Up Get Out and Join In. These funds allowed the club to create maps, signage and a Map Book for all users to have a safe experience when out on the trails. This was a very successful project that got a lot of folks outside.
2013 – Recreation Site Maintenance Agreement
In the spring of 2013 GFATV entered into a 10-year agreement with Recreation Sites & Trails BC (RSTBC) to maintain six recreation sites in the upper Granby River and Burrell Creek areas. These six sites include 28 Mile Bridge, Gable Creek, Howe Creek, 8 Mile Flats, Bluejoint, and St. Anne’s.
Update 2022 – The maintenance of this area and the six recreation sites has been done by GFATV members for the last ten years. During this time there has been improvements to the area and the dedication of the members to keep the recreation sites clean and tidy has been recognized by many. The partners have been very good at helping, from grading the roads accessing the sites to applying dust control to 28 Mile Recreation Site (a busy area used by many). Our agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC, our main partner for ten years, is set for renewal in 2023 and we have already received positive communications about renewing our agreement.
2013 – Boundary Country Trails Agreement
Agreement to promote cooperation and collaboration among ALL users. Supporting the “Non Motorized” designation of the Rail Trail between Cascade West and Grand Forks helping to create a tourist designation. In 2013 the Boundary Country Trails Agreement was created. This agreement is the first in BC to be signed by trail user groups, municipal governments, and others promoting collaboration and cooperation when making decisions on trails in the region.
2013 – Government of BC’s Job Creation Program
Maintenance of Trails from Grand Forks to Eholt
2013 – Phoenix Foundation – Heavy Duty Brush Trimmer
2013 – Grand Forks / Christina Lake Multi-Use Trails
The Gilpin, Morrissey, Stewart shared use trail system signing and clearing 135 km of trails. This great project was responsible for the development of the Morrissey, Gilpin and Stewart riding area development. This mixed-use program was very successful in establishing a recreational area near Grand Forks that increased the accessibility of the area, helped educated users to the many species at risk in the area and increased the knowledge of users to be more environmentally responsible. Grand Forks ATV members and the executive learned many important lessons from this experience. Three staging areas were developed for the public to be able to access the area safely and have a great experience on the marked trails. Many great partners were recognized and joined GFATV to help make this one of the great projects GFATV has completed.
GFATV brought local trail groups together with the intent of developing an educational project in the Morrissey, Gilpin and Stewart Creek areas. There had been problems in these areas with users not knowing where private property boundaries were located and regulations on trapping rights. The trails were not marked and there were many species at risk in the area that users were not aware of. The area is used heavily with many attributes but the club felt there was a very large educational component missing and that over 90 percent of the users would respect the area’s sensitivity and historic diversity if they were made aware of what the issues were. The partners agreed a proposal should be developed and presented.
The club felt that first there could be areas created (staging sites) where outdoor toilet facilities could be provided, educational material could be placed, equipment safely unloaded and loaded, where users could park safely off the road, and awareness seminars could be held. There are many Forest Service Roads old and new in the proposed area with no signage for users to know where to go, what areas are sensitive, what times of the year wildlife needs more awareness, how users can support conservation efforts, and many more education opportunities could be presented by other interest groups once staging areas were developed.
In spring of 2014 a proposal was presented to interested partners and was well received by all that attended. Public meetings were then held for comment and the proposal was modified to reflect public concerns. In early April and May other public events were held showing maps of the proposed trails and allowing for more input and participation by the many partners and the community.
With the confirmed investment from the partners, the GFATV Club was able to secure a Job Creation Grant through the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. The funding was to develop trails and signage, develop three staging areas, place five heritage benches and clear over 134 km of existing Forest Service Roads.
In 2015, with the partners’ help, there will be educational workshops for the many users, motorized and non-motorized, promoting respect for the wildlife, environment, private property as well as different tenure holders in the area.
2015 – Trails of the North Fork
Developing the Bluejoint Recreation Site Staging area and signing over 500 km of shared used trails. GFATV vision is safe, well-marked trails for everyone to access, this vision led them to their third large Job Creation Program. This project allowed the club to make upgrades to the six recreation sites in the North Fork of the Granby- Burrell Valleys. This recreation area was established many years ago and was in need of improvements. The installation of signage, added recreation sites and cleaned out established trails allowed users to travel on well marked trails. These improvements were well received by all users and there has been a steady increase in use of the area.
2015 saw the GFATV Club partner with National Trails Coalition and Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation to complete “Trails of the North Fork.” This project completed Bluejoint Recreation Site and signed approx 500 Km of trails in the North Fork region and installation of many historic signs.
This motorized-friendly trail network was developed by the Grand Forks ATV Club in partnership with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. The development coincided with the club’s New Horizons for Seniors Project which focused on encouraging local seniors and near seniors to get up, get out, join in, and ride safe. As part of this project the club held and took part in numerous events and activities in the Grand Forks area, offered multiple ATV safety courses, developed the Boundary Regional Motorized Trail Network, and purchased a few GPS units for members to use while navigating these trails.
We have many public and private sponsors, without whom the work would not be done:
2021 – Franklin Heritage Trail
GFATV has a great old original road that was used in the early 1900’s by a mine in the North Fork. There was no rail line in the area. The high price of “Gold” and the areas mining exploration was in its prime. This old trail has not been taken over by Forestry and changed to be a Forest Service Road. There are many examples of old road building techniques, mining styles, rock formations and some of the greatest views to behold. GFATV has been successful in having this trail declared a Heritage Trail, The Franklin Heritage Trail. Work has been started on the trail to ensure safety of all users and points of interest have been noted.
Current Projects
Columbia Western Rail Trail
Signing the Columbian Western Rail Trail in cooperation with Grand Forks Community Trails Society, Columbia Western Community Society, and Trails to the Boundary
Historic Information Signs
Establishing recognition signage for the many Historical sites throughout the region.
Fife Interpretive Centre
Tipple Heritage interpretive center paying tribute to the many families that worked on the Limestone Mine at Fife.