Trail Users’ Etiquette Guide for Kimberley Nature Park

 

 

Best Practices for All Users

 

1. Be kind and courteous to all users.

2. Stay on the designated trails, even if they’re wet/muddy/snowy/icy. If you choose to use a trail that has any of these issues, either be willing to get wet/muddy on the trail bed, or turn around and allow it to dry out. Going around widens the trail bed and can kill trail side vegetation.

3. Be aware of others. This is a multi-user park. You will encounter everyone from toddlers to folks in their 90's. Even though it’s possible to feel like you are in a remote area, you should always expect and be ready to encounter other users. If you want/need to stop along a trail for more than a moment, please move far enough to the side to let others pass.

4. Respect trail restoration. Please do not continue to use old sections of trail that were re-routed for sustainability. And please do not cut corners and create straighter lines on trails. If you have feedback or questions about trails, please contact the KNPS (kimberleynaturepark@gmail.com) and/or the KTS (admin@kimberleytrails.org).

5. Let others know you’re catching up to them. If you want to pass, please ring a bell or call out a friendly warning. While it is a universal practice that bikers yield to walkers, often walkers will step off the single-track trail to allow bikers to pass. It is very good practice for the bikers to thank those walkers.

 

Best Practices for Biking

 

1. Moderate your speed for everyone’s safety. Most of the trails/roads in the Nature Park were not designed for mountain bike riding in the modern sense. While it’s possible to reach very high speeds, please ride as though there could be a small child on the trail ahead of you. Sight-lines are being worked on through forest thinning, trail reroutes, etc. but this is an ongoing process. Please take responsibility for always riding within your skill range and being ready to warn and stop for other park users in all places, no matter your speed.

2. Class 1 e-bikes, with pedal assist, are allowed on the trails.

 

Best Practices for Walking Dogs

 

1. Control dogs. Despite owner assurances that dogs are friendly, unwanted dog encounters in the park are the most common complaints we hear. The unpredictability of unleashed dogs can have a negative impact on other park users. If your dog routinely runs up to people and does not follow commands to come back to you, you should strongly consider keeping them on a leash until deeper into the park where you’ll likely see fewer people. If your dog shows aggressive behavior around other dogs, keep them on a leash or take your dog to other places.

2. Clean up after your dog. Bag their poop or flick it well off the trail with a stick (not into water). If you bag it, take the bag with you; do not leave it for “later pickup”.

3. Respect wildlife habitat and natural areas. The BC Wildlife Act states that it is illegal to allow your dog to pursue wildlife, whether it’s a squirrel or moose. Please especially control dogs on Sun Flower Hill between fall and spring as it is important over-wintering habitat for ungulates.