The trail network at Thornhill is a popular place for local Maple Ridge residents and also draws riders from many other areas as well. Choose the sweet single track of Blazing Saddles or power up the road for a short climb to the top. Choose your own adventure for the descent: find your flow on Trail Dweller, OSR, or Nick’s or send it on the jumps of Thornstar, Flow Rider, and Rip n Dip. Repeat until tired.

Presently the only officially  recognized trails within the network are Georges Way, Bear Ridge, and an unnamed trail connecting 256 to the water reservoir. The rest of the trails are not authorized (sanctioned), and the City refers to them as “informal trails”. The City has posted an online survey (open now until October 15th, 2020) to gather information on how the community uses the trails to help guide them in the process of formalizing the trail network.

The trail builders at Thornhill and the FVMBA have been working with the City of Maple Ridge over the years to establish the trails for mountain bike use and to create a trail maintenance agreement with the city to allow the builders to look after the trails. This survey is part of the process so that the City has a better understanding of the different user groups on the trails and what the trails mean to the community. Formalizing the network, recognizing mountain bikers as permitted users, and authorizing the FVMBA to maintain the existing trails is an important first step in supporting mountain biking at Thornhill. We would also like to see consistent signage for improved wayfinding and user safety.  The trails at Thornhill are also popular with hikers, runners, dog walkers, and equestrians and the FVMBA seeks to ensure the enjoyment and safety for all trail users.

In addition to the online survey, the City of Maple Ridge is also hosting two public information sessions on Wednesday, September 9th and Tuesday September 22nd, 4 PM to 7 PM at Whonnock Lake Centre. Attendance is by appointment only, email Chad Neufeld (Manager of Parks Planning & Development) at cneufeld@mapleridge.ca to book a 15 minute time slot.

For more information, please see the information posted by the City of Maple Ridge.

Photos by Ryan M, Paul K, and Derek M.