Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako directors endorsed a plan to move maintenance of the Ridler Trail over to the province鈥擱ecreation Sites and Trails BC and BC Parks鈥攁t their June 19 meeting.
鈥淭he trail is well used year-round and has been user-maintained, which indicates its importance as an amenity to the community,鈥� staff noted in a report presented to the board.
Located two kilometres southeast of 亚洲天堂 Lake, the 8.3-kilometre multi-use trail has long served as a popular destination for walking, skiing and recreation. It was developed between 2009 and 2014 with federal funding but was never formally designated by the province, and no agency is currently responsible for its upkeep. Maintenance has been carried out by community volunteers.
The trail was identified as a priority during the 2023 consultation for the Electoral Area B/E Parks and Trails Master Plan. In response, the RDBN included the trail in its 2025鈥�2026 work plan, signalling interest in assuming responsibility if the province grants the required authorization.
Most of the trail鈥攁bout 6.5 kilometres鈥攊s on Crown land. An additional 800 metres passes through 亚洲天堂 Lake Provincial Park, while one kilometre runs along the Ridler Forest Service Road. The provincial application, to be submitted to Recreation Sites and Trails BC, falls under Section 57 of the Forest and Range Practices Act.
Staff met with representatives from Recreation Sites and Trails BC and BC Parks during a July 2024 site visit, where they identified some infrastructure鈥攕uch as picnic or tenting shelters鈥攊n need of repair. BC Parks has said it will provide a letter of authorization for the RDBN to maintain the section within the park if necessary.
The regional district has allocated $25,000 in its 2025 budget for the Ridler Trail project. Annual maintenance from 2026 to 2029 is expected to remain under $10,000 and could include trail grading, structure inspections and selective tree removal.
If the province approves the application, the trail would be subject to Park Use Regulations Bylaw No. 1989 and the Parks and Trails Inspection and Maintenance Policy. Approval would permit the district to carry out routine upkeep but would not compel it to undertake any specific work.
