Recreational Services Plan Public Consultation Report
The report on last fall's public consultation on Gatineau Park recreational management has been posted here.
I'll give it a read and post a summary in the coming days.
Ecosystem Conservation Plan Update
From the CEO's report to the NCC Board of Directors:
Following the completion of the Gatineau Park Ecosystem Conservation Plan, climbing groups reacted to the reduction in the number of walls to remain open for climbing. Discussions are currently underway with the Ottawa-Gatineau Climbers' Access Coalition to reach an agreement that will allow climbing in the park while maintaining the ecological integrity of the unique and fragile ecosystem of the Eardley Escarpment.
We have enjoyed excellent cooperation from other park users that are affected by the Conservation Plan.
For example, geocaching proponents agreed to relocate all the geocaches that are in conservation zones to other more appropriate locations in the park before the end of summer 2010. Information on the geocaches will be updated on geocaching groups’ websites. In the future, the NCC will manage this activity according to guidelines developed by Parks Canada.
An agreement is presently being developed with the horseback riding group and will provide for a modified riding path for the 2010 season.
Snowmobilers are finalizing a plan to relocate the provincial snowmobile trail outside of the Park. Next winter will be the last season for snowmobilers to have access to Gatineau Park.
The hang-gliding site has not been used in the last few years, and is now closed.
We are preparing the rehabilitation strategy for the Eardley Escarpment, and are inviting climbing, hiking and other user groups to work with the NCC to develop mitigation measures that will reduce the impact of human activities on environmentally sensitive areas.
Climbing
What Ms. Lemay said verbally in her presentation, with respect to the rock climbers, was that the NCC are trying to explain to climbers that the escarpment is particularly sensitive and that the hope is that one more rock face could be opened for continued climbing. My understanding is that the climbers understand that the escarpment is sensitive, but that they disagree that their activities are particularly threatening to that sensitivity, and don't feel that they've been included in the past in a proper evaluation of the supposed damage they are causing, or mitigation measures to counter it. Here are a few snippets from the most recent post at the Climber Coalition Blog:
We are currently putting together a conservation and climbing management plan to present to the NCC as an alternative.
Our position is that, as responsible outdoor enthusiasts, we can accept and support closures that are backed by strong evidence of impact to the ecosystem yet we cannot support closures made on an arbitrary and non-evidence driven basis.
The feeling on this was that both sides were trying so let's hope that continues, and to a successful conclusion.
Geocaching
My understanding is that geocaching by its basic groundrules makes geocachers agreeable because they are supposed to have permission of land owners to place their caches. But I don't know that local geocachers actually were involved in discussions with the NCC on this. Geocache online information is centralized by a privately held company called Groundspeak located in Seattle. They use volunteers who approve or otherwise cache locations. The volunteer who has been doing so for caches in Gatineau Park isn't located in the immediate area as I understand it. I think this gatekeeper got wind of a change in NCC policy on geocaches and unilaterally tried to de-list all caches in the Park, after which local geocachers made a fuss and the blanket withdrawl was reversed. I'll ask a few people more knowledgeable than I to comment on this.
Hiking
I noted that Ms. Lemay also mentioned that all other users were in agreement. I see from the above text that hiking user groups are being invited to help develop mitigation measures. I think this mostly means the Alpine Club of Canada. I don't know for sure but I think ACC are sympathetic to the climbers and are holding their cards close to their chests when it comes to commenting on the conservation plan since they are long time users of unofficial trails, which the plan would restrict their use of.
Private Property Acquisitions in Gatineau Park
This from the CEO's report to the NCC Board of Directors:
On January 1, 2008, the NCC identified 405 private properties with a total area of approximately 600 hectares (1,483 acres).
Since the last Board meeting, we have concluded one transaction for an area of 0.37 hectares (0.9 acres). This brings the total area to 150.5 hectares (371.8 acres) for the 26 private properties acquired since January 2008 in Gatineau Park.
Friends of Gatineau Park Needs Volunteers
Last week I posted that the Meech Lake Triathlon needed volunteers. In fact the Friends of Gatineau Park call for volunteers is for volunteers to assist with the Meech Lake Triathlon. The two have been working in partnership for several years. This from François Leduc who is managing Friends of Gatineau Park volunteers:
Mike Collingwood Memorial Triathlon (Meech Lake, 03 July 2010) and Friends of Gatineau Park have developped a partnership over the last couple of years. Our volunteers should know that the Triathlon organizers have pledged $1000 to the Friends for this year, and this is to be an annual pledge. A very significant fundraiser for us.
The Triatlhlon need volunteers.... Our goal is to provide 3/4 volunteers for the morning. Could you help? This is a great way to see those incredible athlete in action.
Please e-mail François Leduc if you can help.
Ride with Rendall Tuesday Nights
Update to the June 11 version of this post (below).
Loop Registration information has been posted here, and the rider code of conduct has been posted here.
Original Post: I've got some answers to an earlier post letting cyclists know about Tuesday evening rides in groups larger than normally allowed on the parkways, and in formations also normally banned.
Every second Tuesday starting June 8th (so the first event has already passed) until Labour Day, the group Ride with Rendall has organized an NCC approved peloton ride with both a leading and trailing event car. These peloton rides are aimed at competitive cyclists that are comfortable riding in this formation and in the past have had groups ranging from 30-80 riders.
The events will take place every 2nd Tuesday night starting at 6:30pm at Gamelin (P3) and there is a $20.00 registration cost for the season.
As noted, each ride will include a lead and a follow car. The objective is to that the lead car make other cyclists aware that the peloton is coming, and the follow car will help to regulate traffic from behind the peloton. Riders must follow a code of conduct, examples of which are that the yellow line must be respected at all times; once dropped from the peloton a rider must pass on the right of the follow car and must respect the rules of the road when outside of the guide cars.
Ride with Rendall is a local cycling club that is geared towards competitive cyclists. We have an riders that race in all categories, elite, master's and junior. Our riders also race road, mountain bike, and cyclocross. The club is a not for profit structure.
NCC Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
On Tuesday the NCC will hold an open-to-the-public board meeting (also viewable online). They have just posted the agenda for this upcoming meeting here.
Meech Lake Swim Race Tomorrow
2 K OPEN WATER SWIM RACE
Saturday, June 26, 2010
MEECH LAKE Blanchet Beach
TIME: 7:30 a.m. Check-in
8:00 a.m. Start
AWARDS: $50.00 Top Male/Female
FREE BRUNCH
Safety and supervision on land and in boats will be provided.
Swim caps will be provided for each swimmer and must be worn for identification purposes during the race.
Entry Fee: $40.00
DAY OF Entry Fee: $45.00
Epicman Gatineaus Canada Day
From TriRudy: Jean invites triathletes to a "no registration, no cost, no timing, no support... self supported training day, with people who want to do some over the top training in the Gats."
Over-the-toppers will churn up the waters of Meech Lake, burn bicycle rubber with six loops around the parkway, then lace up the sneaks and sprint effortlessly up the Fortune Parkway and on out to the Champlain Lookout; all in a breezy 7 to 9 hours.
Earthquake Shakes Park Too
Kristine reports that the Welcome Centre at P3 shook like it was about to fall down and that phone lines down.