Image: Supplied by City of Chilliwack / A view from the hillside of the forthcoming Vedder Mountain Park and hillside trail. While it's taken some time, construction personnel continue building a 1.8-meter minimum width trail. Benches will be added at various points along the 4-km trail on 70 acres of city property.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Vedder Mountain Park

Construction of Vedder Mountain Park still progressing

Feb 11, 2023 | 9:01 AM

CHILLIWACK — While it’s taken some time, another scenic hiking trail is still on its way to providing visitors and hikers alike with a picturesque view of Chilliwack and the surrounding mountains.

Following the recent addition of the Little Mountain stairway project on the north side of Chilliwack, construction on the Vedder Mountain hillside park continues as contracting personnel keep carving out pathways and adding benches along the scenic trail. Work crew vehicles can be seen daily in the gravel parking lot just off Vedder Mountain Road.

The hillside park and trail will be located at 45076 Vedder Mountain Road, according to a statement issued by the City of Chilliwack back in August. Council awarded the contract for the construction of the trail within the park at the July 19, 2022 council meeting, and construction has been underway since summer 2022.

This area remains an active construction zone, and hikers are asked to stay out of the area until the trail is complete for their safety. There is currently a gate blocking access to the gravel parking lot on weekends.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / A sign telling people not to enter the forthcoming Vedder Mountain Park hillside trail is posted at 45076 Vedder Mountain Road in Chilliwack, as construction continues on the 4-kilometer trail.

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Once complete, Vedder Mountain Park will include almost 70 acres featuring a trail, parking lot and a day use area located four kilometres uphill from the parking area. The day use area will have benches, picnic tables, and information kiosks. The total length of the new trail will be approximately four kilometers. The trail will have around 60 switchbacks and an elevation gain of approximately 290 metres. The minimum width of the trail at any point will be 1.8 metres, the city said.

“Work to create this park has been ongoing since late 2017, when the City purchased the land to consolidate properties into what will soon be Vedder Mountain Park,” Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove previously said in a statement. “While it’s taken time, making sure we create this new trail in an environmentally and archaeologically respectful manner was important, and we are looking forward to this latest addition to Chilliwack’s trail network.”

An archaeological impact assessment was conducted by the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre for the trail and parking lot. An environmental assessment was also completed by a qualified environmental professional. Adjustments to the initial plans were made to preserve areas of archaeological or environmental significance.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Construction of Vedder Mountain Park still progressing

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