The land between the Pine Valley South subdivision and PARDS' new location would become more restricted as a result of the lease. (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

PARDS

PARDS land sublease hopes to offer solution to problem area

Aug 15, 2019 | 1:03 PM

The County of Grande Prairie has found a solution to a problem area southeast of the city.

The County has been granted a crown disposition for a section of land to the south of the Pine Valley South subdivision from the provincial government, which they have applied to sublease to the neighbouring Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society, otherwise known as PARDS.

This situation would be a win-win for both the County and the organization. By leasing the land to PARDS, it would give the land a safe and friendly user.

“There is lots of users in the area, and now that we have moved in and have the trails all there for our riders to be able to expand their equine experience through their lessons, but then also control some of the other users,” said PARDS Executive Director Jennifer Douglas.

OHV’s, campfires and hunting would be prohibited on that land (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

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Residents in the area have been concerned with the number of unattended campfires left in the area over the last several years, as well as the number of off highway vehicles that were using the land. Issues with mountain pine beetle were also present earlier this year, which led to the removal of many infested trees, in turn leading to better access to the area for ATVs and other users. That has led to increased concerns by area residents.

This lease would restrict access to the land, as the County has put up signage around the property that now bans off highway vehicles, fires and hunting. More fencing and barriers have been added to the area to further decrease access. The County also says Enforcement Services will be patrolling the area much more going forward.

A new sign posted as you enter the area (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

These restrictions will also give PARDS riders and horses a safe and quieter place to use.

“Not all horses react well to a dirt bike or an ATV or whatever comes around the corner at them,” said Douglas. “It’s not that we’re trying to not have ATV’s or dirt bikers, there is signage there now to redirect them to the Dunes staging area.”

PARDS has been operating in that area for nearly two years now, since the move to their new location. They have been offering Equine Assisted Therapy programs to Peace country residents since 1984.

The move to their new location tripled their capacity by adding an indoor riding facility for users to enjoy. The acquisition of this lease would let them expand even further by providing more opportunities to riders.

“We hope to include the heavy horse club as a user in the area, as well as our therapeutic riders, to get that trail riding experience,” said Douglas. “Then we have a lot of young people boarding their horses that maybe don’t have that much experience. So, to have that area eventually going to be fenced off, so they can really ride trails without being worried about getting too far.”

The public will still have access to the land for walking or hiking going forward, but PARDS would have priority to the land as the lease holder.

Photo: County of Grande Prairie

In a release, Reeve Leanne Beaupre says the idea to lease the land to PARDS was really an easy one.

“Because of the fire hazard, we knew this area was not appropriate for recreational activities such as off-highway vehicles, which is why we are encouraging people to go to Dunes staging area instead,” said Beaupre. “This is a beautiful area for walking as well as horseback riding, which is why our thoughts immediately went to PARDS.”

The section in yellow shows the land subleased to PARDS. The section in purple is currently held by PARDS (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

The County is still awaiting final approval from the provincial government on the sublease, before it can be made official.