Hitting the trails

Times Reporter

 

Finding a good walking trail can be difficult, but what many people may not know is there is a path suitable for almost anyone. It can be difficult to locate the entrance, which may be what deters some people. 

The start of the Eagle Lake Trail begins at the south end of Slater Way, just past the recycle yard, and runs somewhat along the old CPR line. 

“People talk about how in Strathmore we don’t have a really good trail system which is, you know, which is true, but if you’re willing to hop in the car and drive over here you’d have a nice long natural setting that you could walk,” said Doug Clarke, parks supervisor for the town.  The trail is approximately 5 km each way, and Clarke said he feels it is suitable for walking, running, biking, or even pushing a stroller – though a stroller with bigger, sturdier wheels is recommended. 

“The reason I think it is underutilized, I think there’s a couple of reasons. One, it’s really hard to find the entrance, there’s no designated parking area, most trails or parks you’ll find a parking spot, there isn’t that here,” said Clarke. 

He first heard about the path through friends and decided to check it out one day. The path runs all the way to Eagle Lake. Clarke said he didn’t think a lot has been done along the trail the last few years. This year the parks department went down and widened the pathway. There are also picnic tables along the pathway for people to stop and enjoy the scenery, or rest for a few minutes. 

“My understanding is, in the winter we might clear the snow off of here, it wouldn’t be the same regularity as a street or anything like that, but we would try to make sure that it’s usable in the winter time,” said Clarke. 

Swans and a variety of other birds gather on the lake. Clarke said he doesn’t think people are allowed to hunt by the lake, which may be the reason for all the birds who tend to stop there. 

The path doesn’t necessarily stop at the lake. Though he has yet to wander it, Clarke has heard the path continues across the entire lake. 

Currently a walk-through is being built at the Slater Way entrance. For those who don’t want to walk the full 5 km, Township Rd. 240, about two miles south of Highway 1, cuts through the path. A person could park along there and just walk a portion of the trail.