Bellevue Park user says icy walking trails 'treacherous' for senior citizens

An elderly SooToday reader is calling on the City of Sault Ste. Marie to make walking trails in Bellevue Park safer for senior citizens during the winter months. 

Charly Murray walks his dog, Aussie, in the park on a daily basis. The 73-year-old says the walking trails are prone to ice build up in the winter when they haven’t been maintained.    

“It’s treacherous. Most people do not walk on the walkways — we walk on the sides where there’s snow. It’s way too treacherous,” said Murray. “I’m telling you, sometimes the ice is an inch thick.”

Murray says he’s witnessed two seniors slipping and falling while walking in the park over the past year. 

“All last year it was just ice,” he said. “We walked farther and farther off the side of the trails than ever so we could get footing, and then when the snow really came, we’re walking halfway up to our knees in snow.”

Murray tells SooToday that he’s shared his plight with city councillors, staff at the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the mayor. But he’s been far from encouraged by the responses thus far. 

He’s been assured that city staff will “monitor” trail conditions and consider signage alerting walkers to the icy conditions.  

“This is unreal. If we were talking about bike paths, they would have 10 freakin’ trucks down there, for cripe’s sake,” Murray said. “This is our own senior citizens walking their dogs and enjoying the outdoors with some exercise.”

In the meantime, he says, he has been advised to wear appropriate footwear while walking. 

“Do you think we’re all down there with sandals on?” Murray asked incredulously. “We’re all wearing winter footwear — but we’re not going to buy mountain climbing boots.” 

Murray is offering a solution to his safety concerns for himself and other seniors. 

“Just plow the paths, it’s not that difficult and it doesn’t take that long,” he said. “And if they’ve got a little trailer with sand that they can put down at the same time, they could do it all at once.”

SooToday has reached out to the City of Sault Ste. Marie for comment. 

“It’s scary, and people stop going to that park because of the conditions,” Murray said.