2015 Stanley Trail Audit:

Stanley Trail Association

By Leanna Fehr, Kiinnan French and Keevin Erickson

Figure 1: Stanley Trail (Scott, 2015)

ENVR 2350
Technical Communication in Environmental Sectors
Kristina Hunter
October 29, 2015
1

Executive Summary
The condition of the Stanley Trail was assessed and the total number of
problem areas found along the trail include four areas needing brush clearing; two
areas with erosion; twelve missing signs; six damaged signs; five areas where
navigation or flow of trail was confusing and two bridges that may need work.
A map shows the twenty-three areas where action is needed. Following the
map, tables display a quick overview of actions needed at each point.
The section labeled Auditors Notes shows greater detail of problems
associated with each point. The list include notes and photos taken at each point on
the map.
As a way of improving the trails overall condition and visitor enjoyment,
recommendations are made by the auditors and are included after the Trail Data
section. A total of eight recommendations are made. Points or sections are
associated with each recommendation.
A total of forty-eight volunteer hours were filled during the audit and in
writing the report.
The Stanley Trail was developed in 2000 by the Stanley Trail Association as
part of the Trans Canada trail system, since then has it has hosted many events
and been a part of fund raisers for local community programs.
Since its development the trail has been regularly maintained by the Stanley
Trail Association and volunteers from local communities who help with
maintenance on the trail.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 4
1.1 Background Information ---------------------------------------- -p. 5
2. The Audit ---------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6
2.1 Method ----------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6
2.2 Results ---------------------------------------------------------------- p. 7
3. Map of the Stanley Trail --------------------------------------------------- p. 8
4. Tables of areas needing action ------------------------------------------- p. 9
4.1 Table: Problem areas associated with points on map --- p. 9
4.2 Table: Problem areas associated with sections on map -p.10
4.3 Table: Totals of problem areas -------------------------------- p. 10
5. Auditors notes with photos --------------------------------------------- p. 11
6. Recommendations ---------------------------------------------------------- p. 15
6.1 Additional recommendations ---------------------------------- p. 16
7. Volunteer hours ------------------------------------------------------------- p. 17
8. Acknowledgements --------------------------------------------------------- p. 18
9. List of Figures -------------------------------------------------------------- p. 19
10. References ------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 20
1

1. Introduction

The Stanley trail is a section of the Trans Canada trail that travels 51
kilometers through the RM of Stanley and is maintained by the Stanley Trail
Association (Stanley Trail Association, personal communication, October 5, 2015).
It is located in Southern Manitoba near the community of Morden. As part of
routine maintenance, a trail audit was completed to assess the condition of the
trail.

Figure 2: Stanley trail (Scott, 2015)

1.1 Background Information

The Stanley Trail Association developed the Stanley Trail in 2000 as part of
the Trans Canada trail system (Stanley Trail Association, personal communication,
October 5, 2015). Since that time the Stanley Trail Association continues to be
involved in trail maintenance and volunteer coordination.

Community

involvement and use of the trail includes events such as the Eden Foundations
Head for the Hills fundraiser. In 2015 two hundred and four participants raised
over $100,000 for the Eden Foundation and these funds went towards local
community programs such as housing and employment services. (Eden Foundation,
2015). Community use shows the value of continuing to maintain the trail.

Figure 3: Head for the Hills fundraiser (Pembina Valley Online, 2015)

2. The Audit
The 2015 Stanley Trail audit was completed to collect data on the condition
of the Stanley Trail and to assess areas in need of maintenance.

2.1 Method
Auditors followed the trail using bicycles on single-track trail sections and
vehicles along gravel road sections. Problems areas looked for are the following:
Areas needing brush clearing; erosion on/near the trail; missing or damaged signs;
confusion while navigating and bridge maintenance needed.
Along the way, notes and photos were made of problem areas and the areas
were associated with points on a map and labeled X1, X2, etc. Trail Sections
labeled xA and xB do not indicate exact points, they show the north and south
sections of the trail near the 201 Highway.
Auditors rerouted part of the north trail section. Old and new sections are
highlighted on the map. A second rerouted section near the Big Loepky trail is also
highlighted.

2.2 Results
Four areas needing brush clearing were found
as well as two areas with erosion; twelve
missing signs; six damaged signs; five areas
where navigation or flow of trail was confusing
and two bridges that may need work.

Figure 4: Proportions of problem areas

3. Map of the Stanley Trail

The map shows the 51 kilometers of the Stanley Trail. Problems areas
are labeled as X1, X2, etc. Sections xA and xB show general areas along the
trail.

Figure 5: Stanley trail map (RM of Stanley, 2015)

4. Tables of Areas Needing Action

Table 4.1 shows data collected at each point along the trail. Table 4.2
shows data collected from xA and xB along the trail which are sections
(sections xA and xB represent north and south halves of the trail near Wes
Hamms property). Table 4.3 shows the total amount of each type of problem
along the trail.
Table 4.1 Problem areas associated with points on the map

Point
on
Map
X1
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8
X9
X10
X11
X12
X13
X14
X15
X16
X17
X18
X19
X20
X21

Brush
Erosion Sign
Sign
Confusing Bridge
Clearing Present Missing Damaged Navigation Work
Needed
x
x
x
x

x
x

x
x
x
x
x
x

x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x
x

x
x
x

Table 4.2 Problem areas associated with sections on the map

Section
on Map

Brush
Clearing

Erosion
Present

Section A
Section B

x
x

Sign
Missing

Sign
Damaged

Confusing
Navigation

Bridge
Work
Needed
x
x

Table 4.3 Totals of problem areas

Totals

Brush
Clearing

Erosion
Present

Sign
Missing

Sign
Damaged

Confusing
Navigation

Bridge
Work
Needed

12

Figure 6: Stanley Trail (Scott, 2015)

5. Auditors notes
Auditors notes are listed with each point and section from the map and
includes detailed notes collected by the auditors from that location. The notes are
listed on pages 11 to 14.

X1: Trail map and signs needed to

mark transition to Stanley trail from
Miami-Thompson trail.
X2: Sign needs to be removed.

X12: Trail seems to cross some quad

trails and follow others. More signs
may be needed.

X3: The auditors rerouted the trail to

follow mile 17 (see map).

X13: Erosion near bridge; trail is still

passable.

X4: Damaged sign at Gordon and

Lauras lane.

X14: No sign where trail meets the

road.

X5: No sign present and trail is

unmaintained.

X15: Arrow sign pointing east is

missing from sign post.

X6: Damaged sign and signpost.

X16: No sign on west side of the field.

Trail is not obvious to follow along the
field.

X7: Sign not visible, brush needs to be

trimmed.
X8: No sign present.
X9: Arrow sign on points towards
Stanley Park but words are faded and
illegible.
X10: Sign damaged.
X11: No sign at 423 intersection.

X17: Signs are faded.

X18: No sign.
X19: No sign at highway 32
intersection.
X20: No sign where trail turns south
(19W, 2N).
X21: Faded sign. Signpost is leaning
on the stop sign.

Section A
(Wes section, north end). Recent Beaver activity and water rising towards trail
and bridge (see picture).

Figure 7: Beaver dam (Erickson, 2015)

Bridge seems unstable

and is downstream from
a beaver dam.

Figure 8: Unstable bridge (Erickson, 2015)

Section B
(Wes section, south end). Some slumping, trail work needed (see picture).

The stump (near auditor) is

also a hazard on the trail and
needs attention.

Figure 9: Auditor assessing erosion (Erickson, 2015)

Figure 10: Erosion is narrowing the trail (Erickson, 2015)

Section B
The bridge is in good
condition except for a
few unstable planks.

Figure 11: Rotten planks (Erickson, 2015)

6. Recommendations

X2: Sign needs to be removed

X1 to X3: trail rerouted to gravel road section due to low use along trail.
Auditors moved the trail marker at X3. Sign at X2 needs to be removed.

X3 to X5 is an unmaintained off road section and needed to be walked.

Auditors will propose the trail be rerouted at a future meeting.

X12 to X13: confusion while navigating from X12 to X13, flow of trail needs
to be improved.

Trail section A has an unstable bridge and is downstream from beaver

activity. The beavers seem to be making several dams and water is rising
toward the trail. The bridge could be removed before winter and replaced in
spring.

Trail section B has erosion nearing the trail, maintenance is needed.

Trail section B also has a large bridge with a few unstable planks, these
could be considered for replacement.

Figure 12: Maintenance equipment (Scott, 2015)

14

6.1 Additional Recommendations

Maps to be updated to include rerouted sections.

Trail maps and signs could be placed at north end of the Stanley trail. The
Miami-Thompson trail is marked with a Carin and trail map and the
Reinland trail is marked with a sign. The Stanley trail has no sign or map
at the north end but has a sign at the south end.

Figure 13: Cyclists on the trail (Country Cycle, personal communication, October 13, 2015)

7. Volunteer Hours
Volunteer name
Leanna
Keevin
Kiinnan
Travis
Jeff
Doug

Hours
15
8
6
6
4
4

Total

43

Figure 14: Trail running on the Stanley Trail (Voth, personal communication, October 20, 2015)

8. Acknowledgements

Authors
Leanna Fehr, Keevin Erickson and Kiinnan French

Auditors
Leanna Fehr, Keevin Erickson, Travis Wiebe, Jeff Scott and
Doug Kelso

Photographers
Keevin Erickson and Jeff Scott

9 List of Figures
Figure 1: Stanley Trail (Scott, 2015)
Figure 2: Stanley Trail (Scott, 2015)
Figure 3: Head for the Hills fundraiser (Pembina Valley Online, 2015)
Figure 4: Proportions of problem areas
Figure 5: Stanley Trail map (RM of Stanley, 2015)
Figure 6: Stanley Trail (Scott, 2015)
Figure 7: Beaver dam (Erickson, 2015)
Figure 8: Unstable bridge (Erickson, 2015)
Figure 9: Auditor assessing erosion (Erickson, 2015)
Figure 10: Erosion is narrowing the trail (Erickson, 2015)
Figure 11: Rotten planks (Erickson, 2015)
Figure 12: Maintenance equipment (Scott, 2015)
Figure 13: Cyclists on the trail (Country Cycle, personal communication,
October 13, 2015)

Figure 14: Trail running on the Stanley Trail (Voth, personal communication,
October 20, 2015)
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10. References
Eden Foundation. (2015). Head for the Hills. Retrieved from
http://edenhealthcare.ca/events/head-for-the-hills-2015/
Pembina Valley Online. (2015). Head for the Hills fundraiser [Online image].
Retrieved on October 26, 2015 from
http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/cfam/46128-ready-to-head- for-thehills
RM of Stanley. (2015). Map of the Stanley Trail [Online image]. Retrieved from
http://www.rmofstanley.ca/main.asp?cat_ID=20