Calgary's Douglas Fir Trail closes after city deems it 'unsafe'

The signs and fences blocking the entrance of the Douglas Fir Trail in Edworthy Parkare no joke the area is closed andthe City of Calgary wants hikers to keep out.

"Essentially the land is sliding down the slope. As a result, the trail and the infrastructure that was there is now failing and unsafe," said Doug Marter with Calgary Parks.

The eroding landscape has compromised the structural integrity of several bridges, some of which are more than 30 years old.

Problem is, runners and hikers are ignoring the city's warnings.

"People are going in and tearing down the signs and the fence and we would really ask people to understand that there is a significant hazard up there," Marter told the Calgary Eyeopener on Wednesday.

"We would like to have a little more co-operation."

Blame the rain

Riddled with springs, the popular inner-city hike in Edworthy Park, on the south side of the Bow River,has had issues with erosion for years.

But Marter said the copious amount of rain that Calgary received in July has worsened the situation.

He said city will either repair the current trail or build an alternate route in the existing area. It will make the options available to the public later this fall and public consultation will begin early next year.

Marter can't say when the Douglas Fir Trail will reopen.

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener