The owners of a popular hiking trail leading to Rainbow Falls, outside of McBride, are looking to sell the property.
In a letter to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board, Leafar Lands Ltd. owners Nancy and Fred Leake said they’ve owned the land since 1971. However, the Leakes wrote, they now need to sell the land and hope to see it turned into a public park.
“We are getting old. The value of the property must be utilized for our retirement and other personal needs,” the Leakes wrote. “We have been reluctant to sell it to just anyone because we believe it is a treasure that should be available to everyone. Indeed, there have been serious discussions with the Regional District several times over the last 50 years.”
The last round of discussions between the Leakes and the regional district occurred around the time when Koeneman Regional Park was established in the early 1980s, the letter said.
“We think that the reason it did not complete buying it for a park was because of a lack funds for the purpose at the time,” the Leakes wrote. “Anyway, the main purpose of this letter is to see if there is someone who might have an idea how this might be accomplished now. Unfortunately, if nothing comes of this inquiry, it will be necessary to offer the property on the open market.”
Outgoing McBride director Allan Frederick said he’s spoken with the Leakes about the issue. Frederick urged the district and future board of directors to request a firm asking price from the Leakes, to allow a serious discussion to begin.
“It is a very spectacular piece of property,” Frederick said. “If the regional district doesn’t buy for a park… he said they would sell it for market value.”
Director Dannielle Alan said there is significant community interest in the fate of the falls.
“It has been used as a recreation piece since longer than I’ve been in McBride,” Alan said.
However, she said, the district needs to look at both the cost of acquiring the land, but also the cost of operating the park and what liabilities the district might face.
“The trail up to the falls is quite narrow and windy,” Alan said. “There is no guard rails by the falls.”
In addition, she said, there are other areas in the regional district with no regional parks at all, which might be higher priorities for park investments.
Director and Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson said he’s in favour of seeking more information from the Leakes, and also passing the information on to the provincial government for a potential provincial park or trail.
The board approved a motion by Alan to respond to the Leakes, and explore what purchasing the land for a park would cost.
