February 27, 2025 — As the Squirrel Hills Trail Park capital construction moves into its final phase, with a grand opening date soon to be announced for this summer, Valley Life Recreation is proud to make a funding announcement today in the amount of $28,428.
Collaboratively, the Brandon Area Community Foundation and the Minnedosa & District Foundation are funding 100% of the cost for installing a two-stall bathroom at the new trailhead for the Squirrel Hills Trail Park. Each community foundation is covering half of the project cost.
These new funding commitments to the Squirrel Hills Trail Park build upon the 2021 funding commitments both community organizations made in the amount of $22,500 each. The Board of Valley Life Recreation continues to be exceptionally grateful for this strong community foundation support.
At the Brandon Area Community Foundation, we are committed to supporting organizations like Valley Life Recreation that bring long-term value to our community. Their thoughtful and thorough approach to recreation planning, their commitment to environmental sustainability, and their dedication to creating inclusive spaces for all are just a few of the reasons we are so proud to support this project. Valley Life Recreation is led by a professional, forward-thinking team, and their standards for quality and community engagement are inspiring. This organization not only developed an incredibly thoughtful plan, but they did so with a commitment to high standards and collaborating with local Indigenous communities and other professionals to preserve the natural beauty of our local landscape.
— Brandon Area Community Foundation
Similar in design to many off-grid bathrooms found in regional and national parks, this final piece of major infrastructure will feature one regular size bathroom and one accessible-sized bathroom. These bathrooms will be installed just off the new parking lot, adjacent to the new trailhead, further complimenting the experience all users will discover when they visit the trail park. These bathrooms will also serve as a significant asset for the many events the trail park will be hosting in 2025 and years beyond.
The Minnedosa and District Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for citizens of Minnedosa by promoting charitable, recreational, educational, and cultural endeavours through annual grants to community projects and organizations and scholarships to promising students. Supporting the Squirrel Hills Trail Park contributes to quality of life and a healthy lifestyle for those who live and visit here and helps to create a well rounded community.
— Minnedosa & District Foundation
The new bathrooms have now been ordered and installation will be led by Birch Construction in the spring. The design of various park signage is now also underway and will be installed in the spring. The signage includes trail maps, trail names, and signage that recognizes the many donors and partners that have helped bring this project to life.
If you would like to be included in the list of recognized donors for this capital construction project, please contact valleyliferec@gmail.com for information on charitable contributions or park sponsorship (or reach out to any VLR Board member). Tax-deductible contributions can also be made personally online. Contributors of $1,000 or more will have their names recognized in the donor signage. Time is running out to be included in this signage as it will be installed in the spring.
Valley Life Recreation will soon be announcing a full slate of events for the trail park, including our next big Ride Like Ole event along with an eagerly anticipated GRAND OPENING event for the trail park. Stay tuned to Valley Life Recreation on social media for the latest announcements.
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If you represent a family, organization, business, or farm that may be interested in leaving a longstanding legacy through the Squirrel Hills Trail Park, please contact us.