Walk On the Wild Side Society looks to extend trail around Picture Butte Reservoir

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Picture Butte town councillors recently heard  from Walk on the Wild Side Society president, John Kolk when he provided an update and request for the town to consider a lease extension at the Feb. 10 regular council meeting. 

That extension includes expanding the trail around the Picture Butte Reservoir on the north side, from its current two-kilometers to five-kilometers. 

Since its early beginnings in 1985, Walk On the Wild Side Society has helped improve the area around the Reservoir. Working with Alta Link and Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID), the Town of Picture Butte completed some upgrades to the area, particularly over the past decade, noted Kolk, that include creating a walking path, building a gazebo, installing benches, picnic tables, birding and waterfowl nests among other things.   

Kolk said the walking trail provides both visitors and residents an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and nature and get some exercise, and pointed out the trail along the reservoir, which is owned and operated by the LNID, has had much support from across the region over the years.    

“It’s also a very well used facility in our town. There’s people walking there in all kinds of weather,” Kolk told councillors, noting the addition of a new canal was recently installed by the LNID on the north side of the reservoir.

“That has allowed us to look at an opportunity,” said Kolk noting the extension, which will be completed in two stages. The first, is to secure support from the town and the second stage involves the society presenting to the LNID to request their support as well.

In his presentation Kolk noted the town and the LNID are the principal parties involved in the lease agreement and the town currently leases the walking paths  down around the water and the other part of the reservoir “is all LNID land around the lake.” 

They are requesting an agreement to lease an expanded area, “that will allow people to walk around to the highway” (on the north side of the reservoir),” said Kolk.  “We’ve opened up some conversations with parts of the LNID so we are coming here to request if the town is interested to sign the lease agreement with the LNID around that area … it is basically finished (but) it’s going to take another year for it to settle,” he added noting a number of businesses have also reached out, looking to be involved in some upgrades including a bridge and a memorial, among other things. 

 “We think it’s an improvement to the community. We think it’s well supported by community members both that are in town and people from out of town,” said Kolk.