Waskahegan Trail Association

What does the Permissions Director do?

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One of the marvels of the Waskahegan Trail was how we were able to get permission from so many private individuals to build trails on their land.

It was slow at first. In the late 60’s, there was much excitement and enthusiasm for the trail as a Canadian centennial project. But it was hard getting up the nerve to approach landowners.

Until Stan Skirrow got involved.

And everything took off. As Stan relates in the Waskahegan Trail Guidebook, “It was found that farm people didn’t get into a dreadful fit when you made a request of them. It was found that for every NO, there are many YESes and that there are many fine chats and cups of coffee. Farm people, after all, are special.”

Stan insisted that all agreements be verbal, and that permission could be withdrawn at any time.

He also built long term friendships with landowners and their families. He visited them regularly, and even attended their funerals. In short, Stan built momentum for the trail.

As a result, their generosity and trust has continued over the years, even as land has been divided and sold.

Today, when land changes hands, it’s almost always a positive situation. One landowner told us, “When we bought this property we were thrilled to discover that we were part of the Waskahegan Trail network.”

The Permissions Director works with Trail Maintenance and other volunteers to address landowner concerns and find solutions, such as signage and rerouting.

Landowners get in touch with us either through our website’s Contact page or by posting a message on our Facebook page. For us to get in touch with them, we keep records of land descriptions and owner information. But when land changes hands, we don’t always know about it. Usually a land title search or a visit is all it takes to discover a new landowner and update our records.

Duties of the Permissions Director

  • Be a single point of contact for landowners having questions or concerns.
  • Keep records of landowners and site descriptions up to date.
  • Mail the guidebook and welcome letter to new landowners.
  • Visit a landowner—accompanied by another member—if required.
  • Coordinate the annual landowner newsletter.
  • Report to board meetings.

About the Board

The board meets on the third Thursday of most months via Zoom. Why not visit the next board meeting?

If you have any questions about the duties of the Permissions Director, acting Permissions Director JoAnne Burek will be happy to talk to you.

Read about other board positions:

Hike Coordinator
Trail Maintenance Coordinator
Membership Secretary
Introduction to Board Postions

Bev Stokowski Remembered

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Beverly Ann Stokowski (August 6, 1940 – November 4, 2021) was an enthusiastic volunteer in the activities of the Waskahegan Trail Association. Besides leading hikes, every year she led our “Last Chance” Food Station at the Canadian National Birkebeiner and she organized our participation in Edmonton’s Capital City Cleanup.

On April 20, 2022, at the Celebration of Life in Edmonton, Evie Karvellas presented her tribute to Bev.

I knew Bev as a fellow hiker, with whom I shared great conversations along the trails and in the hostels and lodges where we stayed.

The first impression one got of Bev was that of a dainty, porcelain-doll like figure, impeccably put together, even for the roughest terrain. Yes, she was the best dressed hiker. But, beneath that, she was a very experienced and seasoned sportswoman with superb endurance and a great knowledge of the outdoors, knowledge she generously shared with those like me.  

Bev was so familiar with the Waskahegan Trail system that whenever a leader canceled on a short notice, she would pitch in to lead the hike and save the day. There wasn’t an inch of a trail she wasn’t familiar with.

Bev was also extremely organized. She carried a heavy backpack equipped with anything one might need during a hike. But her stuff was organized and stored in such a way that every item was at her fingertips. “You can’t find your band aids or bug repellent? Go to Bev!”

My most memorable hike was Mount Assiniboine. Bev organized the whole trip for the twelve of us. We flew into the lodge she booked and stayed four nights, in the neighborhood of a couple of grizzlies that were roaming around. The owner’s son led us on some very challenging climbs, like the Mount Nub peak, where we feasted on spectacular views and felt we could just touch the sky.

At the end of our stay we hiked out, all 27 kilometres, through freezing runoffs, peaks and valleys, woods and clearings, while constantly gauging our food and water supplies. That has been, indeed, the highlight of my hiking days, all thanks to Bev.  

Having said that, Bev’s hiking skills and interests came second to her extraordinary humanity and kindness, a fact few people are familiar with. Helping others was a rule she  lived by, and she did it in her own quiet fashion. She assumed responsibility for those who couldn’t care for themselves, some who lived on the coast, others in Calgary, or here in Edmonton. Here is an example:

Many years ago there was a fellow hiker who had been having serious ongoing health issues. Several surgeries had destroyed most of her muscles underneath one arm, so she was unable to carry her own backpack. But she loved coming to our hikes. Some of us took turns carrying her bag, and she was always grateful.

Some time later, the lady confided in me that not only did Bev bring her to our hikes, but she had pretty much adopted her. For months Bev had been driving her to doctor’s appointments, hospital scans, radiation and chemo treatments, even visiting her at home on a regular basis, to make sure nothing was missing. From what I understood, Bev had been her sole support system—and they had only met on our hikes!

When the doctors finally told the lady that the end was approaching, she skipped over her closest relative and appointed Bev as her executor to handle her affairs, including funeral arrangements.

This is the Bev I knew, the one I have been grateful to, and who now, without a doubt, is amongst the angels where she belongs.