A group of volunteers aim to get their friends and neighbours into the outdoors by offering a new recreational opportunity in Longview this year.
The Longview Arts, Recreation and Community (ARC) Society shared its plan to construct a one-kilometre pathway along the ridge of the Highwood River west of Longview during an open house at the Longview Community Hall on Feb. 25.
The project calls for an eight-foot wide pathway made of a mixture of resin and pea gravel that would begin at the village’s outdoor rink, run west along Highway 541 and then south along the fence line west of Longview.
“I find that’s one of the biggest things people like to do here is walking,” said society chairperson Michele Geistlinger. “Walking is an excellent way to get your exercise and get you out of the house. If you are out walking and you run into your neighbours it’s a good community builder.”
The Longview Legacy Walking/Jogging Pathway is one of many priorities identified in the society’s Active Community Strategy, developed in 2013. Past projects included adding fitness equipment to the Bert Smith/Lorne Fuller Playground and establishing a skateboard park on the outdoor rink.
Longview was one of 10 communities to receive funding by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) to develop an Active Community Strategy in 2012. The ARPA works with community leaders to enhance the quality of life and healthy living.
To gather community input in developing the strategy, Geistlinger said the ARC society worked with some residents to create a survey to determine what projects or initiatives residents would like to see in the community to promote physical activity.
She said other components were added to the survey such as economic development to address other needs in Longview.
In early 2013 about 90 per cent of the village’s approximately 300 residents responded to the survey, Geistlinger said.
A walking trail was among the items many people expressed an interest in seeing in their community, she said.
As a result, the ARC society sent an application to the ARPA to move forward with the project and received approval and $10,000 in funds last spring.
The project is estimated to cost about $162,000, half of which has been raised through $1,550 in community fundraisers, $35,000 from the Legacy Oil and Gas Community Association, $35,000 from the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund Grant Program and the ARPA funding.
Geistlinger said the society applied for the Alberta Culture and Tourism’s Community Facility Enhancement Program two months ago to cover the remaining funds and hopes to hear back this spring.
The $162,000 covers the cost of the pathway design, construction, materials, labour and the addition of benches, garbage and smoking receptacles, dog bag stations, historical signage and glow-in-the-dark pebbles to increase visibility in the non-lit area.
The south half of the pathway is slated for construction this year and the north half next year.
It will be open to walkers, joggers, cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers, and will be wide enough for emergency vehicle access.
Geistlinger said she is eager to see the pathway in place so residents can enjoy a scenic nature walk in their community.
“Around town you’re just looking at houses,” she said. “This way you will have the view of the hills and river valley. I think it will add to the value of people’s houses.”
Longview resident David Wight said he’s excited about the project and could see himself using the pathway a couple times a week.
“It’s a good thing for all age groups to help everyone to be more fit, which is important in this society,” he said. “Where there are sidewalks there is not much of a view.
“This would be along the ridge with a nice view. I can’t wait to see it.”
Longview Mayor Cliff Ayrey said the pathway will be another service the village can offer residents and visitors.
“You’re making the village an active place by encouraging people to get out of their houses and walk,” he said. “Hopefully we can entice the ones that aren’t active into a more active lifestyle.”
Ayrey said there are few opportunities for pathways in the community as the village owns very little urban reserves and that council was glad to offer the green space west of Longview for the pathway.
He said projects like these make the community more attractive.
“This is enhancing it,” he said. “We have to continue to find affordable ways to get people out of their houses. We have to continue to find ways to keep people in the village and community.”
Those interested in donating equipment, labour or money to the Longview Legacy Walking/Jogging Pathway or to learn more can call Michele Geistlinger at 403-558-2158.
