None of the above. Let people live... Hiking becoming more popular is a problem? Am I on crazy pills? I am an avid hiker and I'm stoked that more people are seeing the outdoors. If I feel like solitude, I have the skillset to go to places other people will not and cannot... Hiking is something that can enjoyed by everyone, no need to impose fees. Let people live...
scott ross - 8 years ago
Smacks of ugly elitism to reserve hiking trails for purist 'elite' who sneer at other taxpaying citizens, accusing them of enjoying nature only for the 'selfies.' This hate filled attitude if rife in the backpacking forums, ironically a social media itself. Truth is, more people are taking an interest in the inexpensive exotic wilderness sights we have near home. And that is a good thing. Just need some minimal management, like larger parking lots and opening up more and more wilderness parks so the summer hiking population is dispersed instead of concentrated. People complain of Yosemite being crowded, but we did a 7 day trek there and only saw 2 people in the first 3 days in the alpine - we have huge areas not being offered to the people of BC to enjoy like California has.
John - 8 years ago
I think the parks need to start recognizing that all the "casual" traffic will only really go to places that have easy vehicle access. Providing a road in and a place to park when you get there only encourages more visitors. Perhaps block the road to vehicles a few Km further back. Another article cites boat and jet ski launching as an environmental problem. This blocked road solution will aid that issue as well.
Fraser Forsyth said "How about have "none of the above" as one of the choices because none of the options you provided are good solutions."
I think you are going to have to acknowledge that when the goal is to reduce the number of visitors no solution will be a "good" one.
Diana J - 8 years ago
Park fees so only the rich can afford them? Basically the option is "only allow the rich to visit the park". I suppose there is TV for the poor...
Fraser Forsyth - 8 years ago
How about have "none of the above" as one of the choices because none of the options you provided are good solutions.
Carole Gencay - 8 years ago
Please, say NO to re-introducing parking fees! Zero fees means accessibility to all income levels. Yes, shuttles from afar could help. And yes there could be a limit on # people per hour - don't know how you'd monitor it, but you could station a ranger at most popular weekend trails; trail to Quarry Rock in North Vancouver is another one that has been dense with hikers, particularly sunny summer weekends - parking is a headache for locals & has changed the peaceful ambience of the area. I've seen bus loads tourists get dropped here in the Cove - good for tourist dollars but oh so hard on the forest trail.
None of the above. Let people live... Hiking becoming more popular is a problem? Am I on crazy pills? I am an avid hiker and I'm stoked that more people are seeing the outdoors. If I feel like solitude, I have the skillset to go to places other people will not and cannot... Hiking is something that can enjoyed by everyone, no need to impose fees. Let people live...
Smacks of ugly elitism to reserve hiking trails for purist 'elite' who sneer at other taxpaying citizens, accusing them of enjoying nature only for the 'selfies.' This hate filled attitude if rife in the backpacking forums, ironically a social media itself. Truth is, more people are taking an interest in the inexpensive exotic wilderness sights we have near home. And that is a good thing. Just need some minimal management, like larger parking lots and opening up more and more wilderness parks so the summer hiking population is dispersed instead of concentrated. People complain of Yosemite being crowded, but we did a 7 day trek there and only saw 2 people in the first 3 days in the alpine - we have huge areas not being offered to the people of BC to enjoy like California has.
I think the parks need to start recognizing that all the "casual" traffic will only really go to places that have easy vehicle access. Providing a road in and a place to park when you get there only encourages more visitors. Perhaps block the road to vehicles a few Km further back. Another article cites boat and jet ski launching as an environmental problem. This blocked road solution will aid that issue as well.
Fraser Forsyth said "How about have "none of the above" as one of the choices because none of the options you provided are good solutions."
I think you are going to have to acknowledge that when the goal is to reduce the number of visitors no solution will be a "good" one.
Park fees so only the rich can afford them? Basically the option is "only allow the rich to visit the park". I suppose there is TV for the poor...
How about have "none of the above" as one of the choices because none of the options you provided are good solutions.
Please, say NO to re-introducing parking fees! Zero fees means accessibility to all income levels. Yes, shuttles from afar could help. And yes there could be a limit on # people per hour - don't know how you'd monitor it, but you could station a ranger at most popular weekend trails; trail to Quarry Rock in North Vancouver is another one that has been dense with hikers, particularly sunny summer weekends - parking is a headache for locals & has changed the peaceful ambience of the area. I've seen bus loads tourists get dropped here in the Cove - good for tourist dollars but oh so hard on the forest trail.