PATH. A week after a petition launched following the failure to trace a cross-country ski trail in Maurice National Park, Parks Canada reversed its decision by choosing, Thursday, to continue the project for another year pilot of trail #3 – South multi-use, 3.5 km long, between the Saint-Gérard parking lot and Domaine Wabenaki-Andrew.
Parks Canada’s decision involves, in addition to grooming the trail, the tracing of a “classic cross-country ski trail on one side only to allow visitors to join the official cross-country ski network of the Parc national de la Mauricie. »
Chantal Isabelle, one of the people behind the petition, welcomes the number of people who supported the request addressed to those responsible for this national park to reverse course. She said it was “surprising to us how people responded en masse and spontaneously.”
“I hope the tracing this time will be better than last year. I think that it is part of the offer, as a multi-use trail, to have activities like that, sports, so that people can access the park,” adds Ms. Isabelle.
For its part, Parks Canada explains that “as this multi-use trail is used by several users and is not part of the official network of cross-country ski trails in La Mauricie National Park, the quality could vary depending on the intensity and the type of user who will use it. To reconcile all uses of this trail, Parks Canada asks for the cooperation of visitors by avoiding walking on the trail marked for cross-country skiing.”
A follow-up to be done
In its response, Parks Canada mentions that climate change and numerous mild spells have forced it to close trail 3A on the lake, “which has led to greater traffic on trail no. 3 South with the presence of several hikers, of skiers and the operational vehicle of the concessionaire operating the Wabenaki-Andrew area”.
Chantal Isabelle is also aware of the impact of climate change, hence the importance, according to her, of “continuing to raise awareness among people about the preservation of these places”.
At the end of the ski season, the federal agency will assess the situation and “may make changes to its operations in order to offer visitors safe and enjoyable experiences.”
As for Ms. Isabelle, she hopes that this reassessment would lead to “continuing to trace two paths and not just one, because the pilot project led to tracing only one
piste for alternative skiing. In any case, I dare to hope that the reassessment would take into consideration that if people can practice their sports to be in shape, which is beneficial for everyone. I think it is part of the principles of national parks to offer services in a safe manner.”
