The river valley trail system in Ponoka is one of the most of beautiful features of this town and although most people didn’t realize it, June 1 was International Trails Day.
Ponoka News walked the north trial to speak with users about why they enjoy the trails. For most of the day cars filled the parking lot of the north trail with people using the system; families with their bikes, people walking dogs, nature lovers taking pictures and skateboarders were seen along the pathway.
Water from the Battle River helps create a lush and green environment in the watershed, which enhances the trail system.
Also along the north trail is a Manitoba maple —the Thinking Tree — that graces the cover of the Heritage Trees of Alberta, a book published by the Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada.
These factors make for a friendly place to come and visit, says Melissa Morris, a student who was using the Thinking Tree and the path as a backdrop for a school photo project. “It’s really nice to walk…And there’s this huge tree we like to climb.”
Passersby always give a friendly hello to her whenever she walks the path and Morris feels the surrounding grass and trees make a wonderful backdrop for her project.
“The Thinking Tree is ideal for pictures,” she added.
Along with Morris was Becky Stigler from Lacombe County, who was modelling for the photo project. Stigler believes trails in Lacombe and Ponoka connect and she finds the natural environment refreshing.
“It’s really pretty here.”
Also along the north trail was four longboarders who enjoy the rolling hills and corners of the trail. The pathway is an ideal place to skateboard for an extended period.
“There’s not as many people as the sidewalks,” says Joey Kelly. “It’s really calm and peaceful.”
Benches and a paved trail give them a chance to cruise along and take breaks when they want without having to worry about cars. Chase Miller goes to school in Red Deer and uses Red Deer’s trails as much as possible. When in Ponoka he takes advantage of the both the north and south trails to get some exercise. “People down here are really friendly…Nature’s sweet.”
The only issue the skateboarders have on the north trail is getting to it from the north bridge; the pedestrian walkway is not quite stable for the skateboards.
From early in the morning to late at night the north trail was full of activity with a lull during meal times.