Last night I attended the most recent in a series of meetings being held between the NCC and various representatives of winter trail users in Gatineau Park. Two items were on the agenda: trail user conflict and cross country trail grooming.
The meeting opened with a review of what we’d done before and pointedly for me, it was repeated that there isn’t any official voice of the group. Pointed for me because I was reminded that any remarks I make here need to be prefaced by saying that “these were my impressions.”
We started by talking about the problem of walkers and snowshoers and skiers all using each other’s trails. I think we came up with some constructive suggestions though not all ideas were without downside. The notes from the session have yet to be compiled and circulated among the participants so I don’t want to reiterate what was said except to say I think we have more to discuss on the issue. I think I am safe to say that the general tone was one of trying to provide more facilities for snowhoe and walking users in the south of the Park in order to reduce their temptation to make use of trails designated for skiing. Signage and information was also discussed. Of course none of this is binding on anyone at this point.
We then turned to the issue of trail grooming and although we did make a start, this is a big point of controversy and I think everyone agreed that it would take quite a bit of talking time to begin to come to understandings. The group’s commitment to the process was underlined by our willingness to reconvene not in three weeks or two (which I’ve previously said is lightning speed) but next week.
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Why is there controversy about trail grooming? Are there people that actually think the grooming is acceptable? I thought the issue was how we can get the NCC and Demsis to return GP to its former glory.
I know there are some who think we are lucky to be have GP and therefore it is petty to complain about the grooming but I assume its pretty hard to find anyone who doesn’t believe the grooming is worse than it used to be.
The literal meaning of controversy is “turned against” and there is no question that some people have turned against those responsible for grooming. Critics have strong feelings about the issue and the criticism is sometimes personal.
Meanwhile those grooming and managing the grooming are working with constraints that the average skier isn’t aware of. Public attacks against their efforts must elicit strong feelings in them too.
Two strongly held and opposing points of view equals controversy.
The roundtable isn’t saying “don’t complain, it’s petty.” The objective of the roundtable (I think) is to allow those complaints to be aired and discussed in the context of the constraints. A successful outcome will see both sides gain a better understanding of the opposing point of view plus give a little and get a little in the process.
Perhaps the skiers could be made aware of these constraints so it will help them form a balanced opinion when buying their passes next year. I’m curious to know if the ‘constraint” of money come up in discussion ( It’s common knowledge that Demsis was awarded the contract after offering the lowest bid.). For example, does it it cost more to run the good grooming equipment than the snowmobiles? And what does it cost in overtime to pay the groomers to work at night and to put in the necessary hours on a regular basis?
Please share the constraints with us. I am curious to know what constraint prevents a flat, gouge free, trail? I would also like to know if these constraints were present before Demsis took over the contract.
Personally, I was hopeing that a “successful outcome” from the roundtable was that grooming would improve.
I would be inclined to go with sunshine. Public disclosure of complaints and comments can do a lot to change organizations.
For example. We have gone from statements that there was not enough snow to groom by the large groomers, to an acknowledgment that Demsis does indeed have a rubber tracked groomer capable of low snow grooming.
Grooming has improved on the Parkways and Ridge Road in the last week. Much of this is due to the new snow, but one suspects the various websites’ posted comments had an influence.
So sunshine would be my prescription.