Prepared for: Jill Benson

Date: February/1/2026

Topic: Proposal for TELUS #StandWithOwners Contest: Accessible & Inclusive Trail Signage Upgrades at Mt. Tzouhalem

 

Purpose

To outline the opportunity to enhance trail accessibility at Mt. Tzouhalem through upgraded, universally designed signage, and to seek approval to pursue TELUS #StandWithOwners funding. The desired outcomes are to secure external funding, improve accessibility and user experience across the trail network, and position CTSS as a regional leader in inclusive outdoor recreation.

 

Background

The Cowichan valley currently trail networks currently have inconsistent wayfinding, limited accessibility information (grade, surface, distance), and signage that is not meeting universal design standards. This information is vital for some trail users to identify if a trail is suitable for them or not. Improving the trail signage within our trail networks would help us stand out as an inclusive trail area in the region that is focused on providing outdoor recreation access to everyone. (CRD Parks, 2003)

 

While the CTSS has strong community support and technical trail-building expertise, it operates with limited financial and staffing capacity to significant complete trail upgrades. External funding opportunities are critical to advancing larger infrastructure improvements such as signage upgrades.

 

Funding Opportunity Details: The TELUS #StandWithOwners contest has $75,000 in funding available for an initiative that demonstrates growth, technology use, community impact. (Telus, n.d.) A signage accessibility upgrade project that focused on reducing barriers for the community ultilizes technology to provide trail information would be a strong proposal for this contest. Implementing this project at Mt Tzouhalem would have the largest impact because it is the most popular trail network within the Cowichan valley with over 70 trails of varying types and difficulties. (TrailForks, n.d.)

 

Signs will also include QR codes that would link trail users to existing trail apps that have more details information about wayfinding and trail rating specifics. By collaborating with trail apps such as TrailForks and AllTrails we could also give trail users the ability to report accessibility issues or barriers via the QR codes. I suggest that we implement this new signage at Mt Tzouhalem initially because without this information on signs our trails are less accessible and less desirable to some people in our community. Parks, trail networks, and recreation areas across Canada are adapting new standards that improve the accessibility of public spaces.

 

Current status

The TELUS #StandWithOwners contest is closing March 1, 2026. This contest has $50,000 in cash available that would allow us to increase the accessibility of our trails if we submit a successful application. The organization will need to decide to pursue this funding opportunity by February 9 so that the team has sufficient time to complete a high quality application.

 

 

Options
 

Option 1 (Cost = $4,000): Pursue TELUS Grant Opportunity and Upgrade all Signage at Mt. Tzouhalem to Universal Design Standard

• If successful, the funding will increase the accessibility of our trail network.

• CTSS can promote the enhanced accessibility of the trail network to attract a wider range of trail enthusiasts.

• 1 CTSS employee will need to spend approximately 40 hours completing the application and additional staff will need to be available for consultation on the application.

• If the funding is not awarded to CTSS, organizational resources will be lost pursuing the opportunity.

 

Option 2 (Cost = $0): Do Nothing / Maintain Existing Trail Signage

• Uses no additional resources.

• Trail network accessibility will not change.

• No opportunity to promote upgrade to new potential CTSS members or event organizers.
   

Option 3 (Cost = $5,000): Add Accessibility Information to Website and at Main Mt. Tzouhalem Trail Head

• CTSS has the existing budget capacity to complete this upgrade.

• Will increase accessibility to the trail network, however trail users may be disappointed with the absence of trail accessibility information on individual trails within the network

• CTSS currently has effective inter-network signage that helps trail users navigate around Mt. Tzouhalem. If the accessibility information is half implemented into the network, the trail user experience may feel disconnected and less enjoyable. Especially for those expecting an accessible experience.

 

Key considerations

By developing new accessible signage that follows universal design principles the CTSS could enhance our local network and set a new standard for trail accessibility on Vancouver Island. The new signage would include braille, high-contrast visuals, and other universal design standards. (Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, n.d.) Trail accessibility information such as length, width, and slope would also be clearly stated on all signage. (Parks Canada, n.d.)

 

Relevant stakeholders will need to be consulted before the new signage can be implemented to ensure that the signage installed is effective and appropriate for all groups involved. This includes the First Nations, the Municipality of North Cowichan, hikers, bikers, and other impacted members of the community. Approval for this trail signage upgrade will need to be approved by the CTSS board of directors. (Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, 2025.)

 

Recommendation

The best option for the CTSS is to Pursue TELUS Grant Opportunity and Upgrade all Signage at Mt. Tzouhalem to Universal Design Standard. This will have the highest overall impact on the network and create the most future opportunities for our organization.

 

 

 

 

References

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Banner Buzz. (n.d.) Custom Trail Markers Signs. Banner Buzz. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from https://www.bannerbuzz.ca/custom-trail-markers-signs/p?srsltid=AfmBOop8jTtjmDaGYe3WorlY1mBoCgeNz4LHfbHrm32eWRdpJKoyYvd6

 

Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. (n.d.) Signage Design. Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from https://universaldesign.ie/communications-digital/customer-communications-toolkit-a-universal-design-approach/customer-communications-toolkit-a-universal-design-approach-navigation/written-communication-2/signage-design

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Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society-a. (2025.) 2024 Impact Report. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from  https://www.cowichantrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Impact-Report-2025-AGM-for-DIGITAL-1.pdf

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Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society-b. (2025). Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society Annual General Meeting Minutes. CTSS. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from https://www.cowichantrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-AGM-draft-minutes-v4.docx.pdf

 

CRD Parks. (2003). Everyone’s Parks and Trails. CRD Parks. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from https://www.crd.ca/media/file/everyones-parks-and-trails-universal-access-plan-crd-parks

Facebook. (n.d.) Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society. Facebook. Retrieved on February 8, 2026 from https://www.facebook.com/CowichanTrailStewardshipSociety

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Parks Canada. (n.d.) Design Guidelines for Accessible Outdoor Recreation Facilities. Parks Canada. Retrieved on January 25, 2026 from https://sci-bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/parks-canada-design-guidelines-for-accessible-outdoor-recreation-facilities.pdf

 

Telus. (n.d.) Stand With Owners. Telus. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from  https://www.telus.com/en/business/small/campaigns/stand-with-owners?INCA=b2b_atl_ssa_web_overview_button_overview-tab

 

TrailForks. (n.d.) Mount Tzouhalem Mountain Biking Trails. TrailForks. Retrieved on February 1, 2026 from https://www.trailforks.com/region/mount-tzouhalem/