Banff Recreation Grounds Horse Trail Survey

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In 2023, the Town of Banff will undertake improvements and widening of the existing shared trail that runs parallel to Cave Avenue, between Sundance Road and Birch Avenue, to accommodate the daily transportation of horses in the summer months, as occurred in 2022. The project to create a new trail dedicated only to horses has been cancelled.

Public Input on 2022 shared horse trail

The Town of Banff is seeking feedback on the multi-use trail beside Cave Avenue that was closed for part of each day this past summer for exclusive use by the trail ride operator to move horses between the stables on Sundance Road and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, where some trail rides originate.

Background

In the past, a shared trail on the north side of the Recreation Grounds was used by the horse trail operator, to walk horses from the Sundance Road Stables to the Fairmont Banff Springs corrals. This typically involves four trail riding staff on mount with 12-30 horses tied in two strings (no clients are riding). In the morning, horses are moved from the Rec Grounds to the Fairmont stables in the morning between 8 and 10 a.m. In the evening they are moved between 4 and 7 p.m.

With the construction of a new pedestrian bridge and redevelopment of the Recreation Grounds, an expected increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the north side trail required relocation of the route to transport horses between the stables and the hotel.

In 2019, Town Council approved construction of a dedicated horse trail between Sundance Road and Birch Avenue, running parallel to an existing multi-use trail. A dedicated horse trail outside the recreation area was originally approved in the Recreation Grounds Master Plan as a way to avoid safety issues that can occur when horses, cyclists, pedestrians, and joggers use the same trail.

Originally, a total budget of $182,000 was assigned to construct the new trail. In 2021, the horse trail was tendered as part of a larger scope of trail work in the Banff Recreation Grounds and was scheduled to start in spring 2022. Ground conditions are challenging where the horse trail was planned, due to proximity to wetlands. Subsoils in this location are saturated through spring and into summer and the water table is shallow. Based on geotechnical information and awareness of the May-October season for the horse trail ride operator, full construction of a dedicated trail was rescheduled to the fall instead of the spring, as originally planned.

In order to allow the trail ride operator to move horses between the stables and hotel for the 2022 season, a multi-use trail in the forested area on the south side of the Recreation Grounds was used. The trail runs parallel to Cave Avenue and a paved sidewalk running the length of the road. To accommodate the horses and improve sight lines, the trail was widened in several locations, branches were pruned at horse height, and more resilient materials and drainage were installed in key locations, especially at the connectors at Sundance Road and Birch Drive.

The Town permitted the trail ride operator to move horses on this shared trail in limited time periods in the morning and evening. Other users were restricted from using the trail at these times (between 8 and 10 a.m., and between 4 and 7 p.m.) seven days per week, from May to October. The time gave some flexibility for transporting the horses to accommodate weather and to clean up the waste (on foot) afterwards. The Town installed signage at all trail access points indicated the trail time restrictions and right of way.

The Town provided information to local residents about the trail usage and time restrictions, and met with the trail ride operator to review safety and signage measures. The Town monitored the trail for conflicts and trail upkeep. The Town recorded no incidents involving horses and other users, and did not receive any complaints about incidents directly or through Parks Canada or Banff & Lake Louise Tourism. Trail assessments showed the route was maintained well, with minimal-to-no horse manure observed.

During the periodic outreach to trail users during inspections, the Town of Banff received positive feedback and suggestions for improvements were limited to requests for faster removal of horse manure.

During the summer, new information arising from an environmental impact assessment concluded that constructing a dedicated trail would remove 1,680 m2 of intact wetland/riparian habitat, and a portion of 5,600 m2 habitat area surrounding the trail. As a result, Parks Canada would require the Town to offset this habitat loss by reclaiming/naturalizing an equivalent area elsewhere, most likely the wetland pond near the sports field. This work would cost between $85,000 and $125,000 based on 2022 bids on similar reclamation projects, adding more than 50% to the cost of the dedicated horse trail project.

Rather than proceeding, council asked administration to evaluate and seek local feedback on the 2022 interim solution of closing the multi-use trail to all users except horses twice a day, and bring back a report during budget deliberations.

Compiled feedback received in the survey (below) will be presented to Council during the annual Service Review in December 2022.

In 2023, the Town of Banff will undertake improvements and widening of the existing shared trail that runs parallel to Cave Avenue, between Sundance Road and Birch Avenue, to accommodate the daily transportation of horses in the summer months, as occurred in 2022. The project to create a new trail dedicated only to horses has been cancelled.

Public Input on 2022 shared horse trail

The Town of Banff is seeking feedback on the multi-use trail beside Cave Avenue that was closed for part of each day this past summer for exclusive use by the trail ride operator to move horses between the stables on Sundance Road and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, where some trail rides originate.

Background

In the past, a shared trail on the north side of the Recreation Grounds was used by the horse trail operator, to walk horses from the Sundance Road Stables to the Fairmont Banff Springs corrals. This typically involves four trail riding staff on mount with 12-30 horses tied in two strings (no clients are riding). In the morning, horses are moved from the Rec Grounds to the Fairmont stables in the morning between 8 and 10 a.m. In the evening they are moved between 4 and 7 p.m.

With the construction of a new pedestrian bridge and redevelopment of the Recreation Grounds, an expected increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the north side trail required relocation of the route to transport horses between the stables and the hotel.

In 2019, Town Council approved construction of a dedicated horse trail between Sundance Road and Birch Avenue, running parallel to an existing multi-use trail. A dedicated horse trail outside the recreation area was originally approved in the Recreation Grounds Master Plan as a way to avoid safety issues that can occur when horses, cyclists, pedestrians, and joggers use the same trail.

Originally, a total budget of $182,000 was assigned to construct the new trail. In 2021, the horse trail was tendered as part of a larger scope of trail work in the Banff Recreation Grounds and was scheduled to start in spring 2022. Ground conditions are challenging where the horse trail was planned, due to proximity to wetlands. Subsoils in this location are saturated through spring and into summer and the water table is shallow. Based on geotechnical information and awareness of the May-October season for the horse trail ride operator, full construction of a dedicated trail was rescheduled to the fall instead of the spring, as originally planned.

In order to allow the trail ride operator to move horses between the stables and hotel for the 2022 season, a multi-use trail in the forested area on the south side of the Recreation Grounds was used. The trail runs parallel to Cave Avenue and a paved sidewalk running the length of the road. To accommodate the horses and improve sight lines, the trail was widened in several locations, branches were pruned at horse height, and more resilient materials and drainage were installed in key locations, especially at the connectors at Sundance Road and Birch Drive.

The Town permitted the trail ride operator to move horses on this shared trail in limited time periods in the morning and evening. Other users were restricted from using the trail at these times (between 8 and 10 a.m., and between 4 and 7 p.m.) seven days per week, from May to October. The time gave some flexibility for transporting the horses to accommodate weather and to clean up the waste (on foot) afterwards. The Town installed signage at all trail access points indicated the trail time restrictions and right of way.

The Town provided information to local residents about the trail usage and time restrictions, and met with the trail ride operator to review safety and signage measures. The Town monitored the trail for conflicts and trail upkeep. The Town recorded no incidents involving horses and other users, and did not receive any complaints about incidents directly or through Parks Canada or Banff & Lake Louise Tourism. Trail assessments showed the route was maintained well, with minimal-to-no horse manure observed.

During the periodic outreach to trail users during inspections, the Town of Banff received positive feedback and suggestions for improvements were limited to requests for faster removal of horse manure.

During the summer, new information arising from an environmental impact assessment concluded that constructing a dedicated trail would remove 1,680 m2 of intact wetland/riparian habitat, and a portion of 5,600 m2 habitat area surrounding the trail. As a result, Parks Canada would require the Town to offset this habitat loss by reclaiming/naturalizing an equivalent area elsewhere, most likely the wetland pond near the sports field. This work would cost between $85,000 and $125,000 based on 2022 bids on similar reclamation projects, adding more than 50% to the cost of the dedicated horse trail project.

Rather than proceeding, council asked administration to evaluate and seek local feedback on the 2022 interim solution of closing the multi-use trail to all users except horses twice a day, and bring back a report during budget deliberations.

Compiled feedback received in the survey (below) will be presented to Council during the annual Service Review in December 2022.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Banff Recreation Grounds Horse Trail Survey

    Any personal information provided in this survey is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, Section 33(c). The information you provide will be shared in aggregate form for planning purposes around for the Banff Recreation Grounds. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside the Town project team. If you have any questions regarding the collection and use of this information, please contact the Town of Banff Director of Communications at: communications@banff.ca or 403-762-1207.

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Page last updated: 10 Feb 2023, 01:51 PM