Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Trails in and around Jasper are easier to trek on, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Jasper National Park (FJNP) that started a year ago.
FJNP initiated a winter trails project, an online fundraising campaign started in early February 2021 to purchase a Snowdog, a machine used to pack trails.
The group hosted a winter trails project open house on Feb. 25 at the hostel on Sleepy Hollow Road where members, donors and project supporters checked out the Snowdog.
Folks heard about FJNP鈥檚 successes, learned about what鈥檚 next and had the opportunity to provide input into next year鈥檚 operations.
鈥淲e had good local attendance,鈥� said Sarah Butterfield, project supervisor.
There have been many elements in the Snowdog project from start to finish.
鈥淲e wanted to make sure the community was engaged in this project,鈥� Butterfield.
The group sent out an online survey to FJNP members, supporters and donors on June 16, 2021, asking for their input so trails to be included in the project could be finalized.
鈥淭he survey results were considered and created our secondary trail offer of an additional 25 kilometres of flat-packed trails on the Pyramid bench,鈥� Butterfield said.
FJNP鈥檚 fundraising goal of $22,000 was reached ahead of the 2021/22 winter season.
鈥淲e reached out to businesses in town. We had some really amazing support from both local and corporate businesses,鈥� Butterfield said.
Donations from Jasper community members were equally outstanding.
鈥淎 lot of individuals donated funds,鈥� Butterfield said.
鈥淚t was great community support. I鈥檓 personally so amazed at the community support; it鈥檚 been a super-successful project.鈥�
The money raised was used to purchase the Snowdog and accessories, insurance coverage, general operational costs, maintenance, required signage and PPE.
Recruitment of volunteers to train and run the Snowdog was launched online on Oct. 25 last year.
Training was held in December and January, and 19 volunteers are now certified to run the machine.
鈥淎round Dec. 20, we hit the trails with the Snowdog,鈥� Butterfield said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a funny machine, not like anything you see on the trails. It looks like you鈥檙e using a shopping cart. The motor is ahead of you.鈥�
The Snowdog project can be added to FJNP鈥檚 record of successful projects, including the Cavell Meadows restoration, the Pyramid Island restoration and the Whistlers restoration project.
Friends of Jasper National Park is still accepting donations for project operations at
