Off-road vehicles will no longer be permitted at the Tamarack Recreation Area. County of Grande Prairie Council decided last week to prohibit off-road vehicles in the area as part of changes to the Tamarack Recreation Area Draft Management Plan. However, horseback riding will be allowed.
Reeve Leanne Beaupre says they consulted with stakeholders and adjacent landowners, including a virtual town hall on May 13th and a digital survey. She adds that since the recreation area is surrounded by industry and residential area, the decision came down to whether or not there could be better land for that use.
“We want to make sure there are no safety concerns because if you get people walking, biking, and even equestrian horseback riding, typically motorized vehicles don’t necessarily complement those types of uses.”
OHV use will still be permitted in the vacant crown land north of the Tamarack Recreation Area, roughly 10 kilometres south of the City of Grande Prairie, while both horses and OHVs are allowed at the Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area.
Despite a request from Camp Tamarack to expand its boundaries, no changes were made. Although letters of support were received, a report on the matter notes there is a concern about limiting public access to trails.