The City of Prince George is seeking feedback from the public about the use of one of the city’s most increasingly popular outdoor recreation destinations. In recent years, Pidherny Recreation Site has seen a steady increase in visitations from outdoor recreation enthusiasts, such as hikers, dog walkers, and mountain bikers in particular.
The Pidherny Recreation Site is a 620-hectare area located northwest of the city. The area was legally established as a recreation site through the Forests and Range Practices Act in 2009, and the site’s network of more than 36 trails has since been managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) through a partnership agreement with the Prince George Cycling Club (PGCC).
The city maintains the road network around Pidherny Recreation Site and has an agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC for the maintenance of Pidherny Road. The city is working in partnership with Recreation Sites and Trails BC, the Prince George Cycling Club, and nearby residents to gather feedback and understand how it can improve Pidherny Recreation Site access for both users and neighbourhood residents.
Due to the site’s rising popularity, parking and vehicle traffic nearby have become a concern for some residents in the neighbouring North Nechako area. In response, in the past year, the city has implemented improvements near Pidherny’s southernmost parking lot off Pidherny Road including speed dips, parking signs, and a dedicated roadway to control the speed and flow of traffic.
This year, the city is seeking feedback from residents and user groups to learn how they are currently using the site, what they like about it, and what they would like to see improved to support parking and access. The feedback will be used to enhance and maintain access to the site, while protecting the privacy and tranquility of the area.
The City has produced a survey for residents, which can be accessed on the city website.Residents are also encouraged to visit an interactive map produced by McElhanney, a Prince George-based engineering firm, to indicate the parts of the site they use most frequently, how they access the site, areas in need of improvement, and other points of interest.
“We know that the area is well-used, particularly by the mountain biking community, and that it has in fact become a destination people are travelling to from out of town to visit. We also understand that there are some concerns in the neighbourhood about increasing traffic in the neighbourhood, parking issues, and noise,” said Dave Dyer, General Manager of Infrastructure Services and Public Works. “We want to know which current amenities are working and what other features might be appreciated by user groups and people who live in the area.”
Feedback will be accepted until August 4. The city will share the outcome of the survey and interactive map with the public by the end of the year.