STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area. Photo Credit: Shane Clausing
By Shane Clausing
COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE

Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area seeing positive usage six months after management plan

Jun 27, 2021 | 12:27 PM

Six months since County of Grande Prairie Council formally adopted a management plan for the Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area, the area is seeing positive usage.

The 99-acre parcel of land is located directly north of the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) near Evergreen Park.

In January the plan outlined approved use for the lands, including for pedestrians, on-leash dogs, cyclists and horse riding, while also prohibiting the use of off-highway vehicles (OHV).

“We had seen lots of concerns from people that live in the neighborhood about some of the less desirable activities that had been happening prior to some of the improvements that were made on it,” explained Reeve for the County of Grande Prairie Leanne Beaupre.

Since January, the land has been cleaned up by members of the County and volunteers in the area.

“It’s a really good news story,” said Beaupre.

“Thanks to some volunteers, people that live in the area and our staff, they were able to put up some fencing, signage, access for foot traffic, a gate for emergency services and it really defines the area. It sets it up for people to really acknowledge that it’s an area not for off-road usage and it’s something people can be very proud of with the amount of work and effort that’s gone in it.”

With the success of the Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area, Beaupre says they can continue to do projects like this with other pieces of land that aren’t treated well.

“Several years ago, Council was a part of an initiative driven by volunteers to look at land use in the area on crown land, because there was so much of it being used and abused.,” she said.

“There was lots of recreation and disposition. People (who lived in the areas around the land) wanted to make sure that some of this land was recognized, protected and there for the enjoyment of future generations. These individuals, volunteers and our staff have now made that vision something that’s going to happen.”

by Shane Clausing