Hikers rejoice: The Whistlers Summit trail from the top of the SkyTram to the summit will soon be realigned, redefined and rehabilitated thanks to a new agreement between Parks Canada, Friends of Jasper National Park and the Jasper SkyTram.
The project will compliment work already carried out on the lower portion of the trail by Parks’ trail crews in 2014.
The announcement was made during the Friends’ annual general meeting, June 4, although the official launch of the project will take place on Parks Day, July 18.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Heather Aussant Roy, a co-manger for the Friends.
The aim of the restoration project is to protect the fragile alpine landscape, enhance opportunities for visitors to learn and experience the park, improve trail infrastructure, such as benches and directional signage, and foster public awareness about the benefits of volunteering.
The project was made possible thanks to a $50,000 grant from Tauck Tours World of Giving Program, a grant program from the American travel company.
During the meeting, the group also announced that in the coming weeks it will be installing a viewer at Stutfield Glacier on the Icefields Parkway.
The viewer is similar to what people might find at Niagara Falls and other tourist spots, but won’t require any money to operate it. The viewfinder is being placed in memory of a cyclist who died on the Parkway last summer and is being funded by his former co-workers, who have also made a significant donation to the Friends.
This is the first time the organization has placed a viewfinder, but it has a memorial bench program that allows families and friends to purchase log benches, complete with memorial plaques, that are placed around the park and townsite.
Each year, the Friends of Jasper also recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond in making a difference in Jasper National Park.
This year, Dale Rhyason—the organization’s outgoing chair—was recognized for his dedication as the chairperson for the Friends of Jasper over the past four years.
“Dale has been a member and volunteer with the Friends since 2011 and in that time he has helped in more ways than we can describe,” said Aussant Roy, adding that this is his 51st year of volunteerism.
Over the past four years, Rhyason has used his experience as a project manager to help develop project guidelines and internal policies as well as to keep the board on track, explained Aussant Roy.
“You’ll always see Dale out at special events. He is either flipping a burger, escorting Chris Hadfield, or whatever is asked of him. You truly are a friend of Jasper.”
After accepting his award, Rhyason said he would be resigning from the board at the end of his term to fully enjoy his retirement.
In recognition of his service, he received a specially made mountain pillow from Mountains and Monsters.
In addition to the new projects and the award, financially, the Friends of Jasper had another solid year.
The organization’s overall revenue in 2014 remained relatively flat compared to its 2013 figures, with a net revenue of $178,200.
On the bright side, revenue from stores sales, memberships and donations were all up, while grant revenue dropped by more than $16,000.
Revenue from store sales has increased by about five per cent, year-over-year, to $118,450.
Memberships also jumped with 112 new members joining in 2014, which netted about $2,100 in additional revenue. Donations also increased by about $8,300.
This year the Friends of Jasper has already collected $70,000 in grants.
Paul Clarke
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