Lacombe County is currently constructing a 14-kilometre paved path around Gull Lake to link several lakeside communities. The project, which is expected to be paved this autumn, provides a scenic and safe alternative to provincial highways for cyclists and pedestrians.
The $2 million investment in Lacombe County's lakeside connectivity
Lacombe County has allocated approximately $2 million to fund the Gull Lake Regional Trail. According to the report, Brandon Maier, the manager of operations for Lacombe County, stated that the project is a priority for the county council to stimulate local recreation and support independent businesses located around the lake.
The construction process began with route clearing over the winter, and crews are currently establishing the trail's foundation. If weather conditions remain favorable, the county expects to complete the paving process this autumn.
Connecting Aspen Beach Provincial Park to the Bentley area
The 14-kilometre route is designed to link several key locations, including Aspen Beach Provincial Park and the Bentley area. As the report notes, the trail will also serve the summer village of Gull Lake and residential subdivisions such as Ebeling, New Saratoga, and McLaurin.
This infrastructure addresses a critical safety gap.. While Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors acknowledges that cyclists can use existing provincial highways, the new regional trail offers a dedicated, scenic path for riders of all skill levels, effectively removing them from high-traffic vehicle corridors.
Following the lead of Pigeon Lake and Sylvan Lake trail systems
The development of the Gull Lake Regional Trail is not an isolated event but part of a wider trend of intermunicipal lake trails across central Alberta. This project mirrors existing networks found around Sylvan Lake and the Pigeon Lake regional trail, reflecting a regional shift toward sustainable , non-motorized tourism and recreation.
The push for this specific project was driven by grassroots advocacy. Alida Prins and a group of local residents presented a formal proposal to the county in 2023, supported by community associations and local businesses. This effort was sparked by the dangers of residents using unauthorized, eroding paths across private land to navigate the shoreline.
The missing link at Parkland Beach in Ponoka County
Despite the progress made by Lacombe County, the trail does not yet form a complete circle. Brandon Maier estimated that the current project will cover between two-thirds and three-quarters of the circumference of Gull Lake , leaving the northwest section unconnected.
The primary obstacle to a full loop is the jurisdcition of Ponoka County, specifically the area around Parkland Beach. Whether Ponoka County will agree to fund or permit a connecting segment remains an open question, as the current project's scope is limited to the Lacombe County side. Alida Prins has expressed a desire to approach Ponoka County next to finally close the loop.
Comments 0