Walk on the Wild Side vandalism: Organization decries recent damage

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Walk on the Wild Side, a beautiful, groomed trail in Picture Butte that allows people to enjoy the outdoors, see birds, and experience nature, is frustrated by vandals – again.

In the past, the vandalism was more minor. A broken bench last year. Some planks pulled up on the viewing platform. In August of this year, however, the viewing platform was severely damaged to the point where it is not safe to use without substantial repairs.

For Yves LeClair, one of the Walk on the Wild Side directors, it comes down to a lack of respect.

“We are not the only ones this has happened to,” he notes with frustration. “People have been vandalising trees in town, vandalising public washrooms – it is an increasingly prevalent issue.”

The cost to fix the platform could exceed $2,000; but the cost of the damage is more than monetary.

“Walk on the Wild Side went strong for about 12 years when it was started,” says LeClair. “Then things slowed down. We revived it and elevated the experience to bring it up to higher level. That cost around $125K-$150K, not to mention the countless hours of volunteering that are beyond measure.”

He continues, “We have nice trails. We are growing trees. We maintain the platforms and this spring purchased telescopes to help with viewing the revisor. AltaLink put up a pole for osprey and we have some nesting on it. We are always thinking about something different to appeal to the people that walk the trail.” 

It’s a beautiful trail cared for by volunteers, some quite elderly. It’s a draw for tourists and a safe place for locals to be outdoors. To have aspects of it needlessly vandalised may seem like nothing in the moment for those doing the damage, but the reality is a much different story. Nobody on the side that has to fix and pay for this is shaking their head going, “ah young rambunctious rapscallion youths.” The narrative instead is that the platform may have to be closed, and if the perpetrators are caught, restitution may be requested. It is, after all, a crime.

In Alberta, vandalism is considered a form of criminal mischief under Section 430 of the Criminal Code of Canada. This law defines vandalism as the willful destruction or damage of property, rendering it ineffective, useless, dangerous, or inoperable. It also includes obstructing or interfering with the lawful use of property or with any person lawfully using the property.

If vandalism causes actual danger to life, it is treated as an indictable offence, potentially leading to life imprisonment. For damages exceeding $5,000, the penalty can be up to 10 years in prison or a summary conviction.

Vandalism is not a victimless crime, and it is indicative of a more far-reaching problem.

“My thoughts rest not only on what happened to us at Walk on the Wild Side,” says LeClair. “My thoughts turn to the community as a whole and how we are educating our young people. This is one of the problems. Are we doing a good job in educating our youth? We see so much disconnection. We don’t know our neighbours. When we don’t know or appreciate the very community around us, it is easy to fall into the trap of disrespect.”

For now, the platform cannot be used because the extent of the damage has made it unsafe. And LeClair says, “Enough is enough.”

“There is talk of just calling it a day and not having a platform on the site at all,” he adds. LeClair has been known to volunteer time and effort, swinging a hammer alongside other volunteers to keep the trail beautiful and its amenities safe and in good working order. But this senior citizen is tired of fixing what is willfully broken by others.

Somebody knows who did this. Perhaps the person who did this is reading this right now. If so, is this who you want to be? If you know the culprit, is this who you want to be friends with? Ask yourself, is the path you are proud to be on? 

Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to the Town and to the RCMP. And if some people were to contact Walk on The Wild Side to volunteer their time, money, and energy to make this right, that would certainly be a step in a good, responsible direction now, and into the future. Consider it. Strongly. There is still time.

For those concerned about the increase in vandalism in Town and other issues, join the meeting to be held on September 26 in the archery building. All are welcome. 

A community is only as strong as its members. So, be a good, respectful one and think twice before you commit a disrespectful crime.