A group of five Vancouver Island University students are undertaking an ambitious project to make the Salloompt Forest Trail accessible to one and all.
Through their course work in the School and Community Support Worker Program offered by VIU, group members Bob Rose, Lorri Tuck, Heather Elliott, Shannon Cherry and Tanya Moren are completing their community-based practicum here in the Valley. The goal of this practicum is to work with community members and organizations to re-establish the Sallompt Forest Trail into a disability-friendly trail for community members and tourists to enjoy.
The group has made several site visits to the trail and has determined that there are a number of steps to realizing this goal. Some sections of the trail were wiped out by the 2010 flood and need to be totally rebuilt. Two sites were identified as possibilities for disability-friendly picnic tables or benches, and a wheelchair friendly outhouse would also have to be constructed.
The group also identified the need for new and increased signage, the possible removal of some danger trees, the building of a ramp and moving and/or altering several picnic tables.
In order to raise funds to complete the work, the group plans on hosting a Loonie/Toonie Auction on Saturday, May 7. During this event there will also be bingo, poker and a concession, all of which will raise money for this project. They will also be partnering with like-minded community organizations, such as the Trail Committee, for support of the project.
Community groups or individuals who would like to support the project through donations, in-kind support, or donating their time can contact Lorri Tuck at SAMS or Heather Elliott at BCE.