The City of Chilliwack and local First Nations groups say they are enthusiastic about a massive proposed trail system along the Fraser River from Boston Bar in the west to Delta and Richmond in the east.

The so-called Experience the Fraser trail system is just in its planning stages, thanks to an initial $2.5 million provincial grant last year. The trail would promote tourism next to the Fraser and connect municipal and regional parks along its banks throughout the Lower Mainland.

Chilliwack mayor Sharon Gaetz told the Times that Premier Gordon Campbell has been a key proponent of the project and envisions a $100-million, 100-year project. Officials have compared the trail to tourist trails along the Australian coast, as well as the Rhine and Mississippi rivers in Europe and the United States.

"The premier has said this is a 100-year project that will start now and the lands will be identified," said Gaetz, who sits on the Experience the Fraser committee. "At this point we're laying the groundwork for a trail that would go all the way from Boston-Bar/Hope right down to the Georgia basin."

The idea is for the trail system to connect parks, trails and campsites along the Fraser River, with local municipalities, historic attractions and First Nations communities. The 300-kilometre trail would also connect with the Trans-Canada and Sea to Sky trails.

Initial planning is being spearheaded by the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts and it's hoped that the trails would drive tourism in the region and provide recreational opportunities for locals.

There is not yet any sort of operational budget for the proposed system, meaning any new trails would have to be funded and maintained, at least initially, by local municipalities and regional districts.

That said, Gaetz said the city is on board and will be looking at ways to connect the trail with the city's Island 22 park. "We're excited about doing it and excited about what it would look like. . . . I think it will be an amazing tourist attraction."

With erosion a constant concern at Island 22, the city faces a challenge to find a way to link the park with any trail system. But once in place, Gaetz hopes a trail system would also reintroduce locals to the Fraser River and its historic and economic ties to Chilliwack.

"There's a bit of reconnecting that I think is really important for our community and the people who use the river on a daily basis will tell you that it is undervalued and perhaps even underused by the people in our community, other than fishers . . .we need that natural connection."

Already, local recreational groups have expressed interest in the project, and Gaetz said the city will be consulting with them as it tries to decide how Chilliwack will participate.

Gaetz said First Nations groups have also showed enthusiasm for the project, something she said is "absolutely vital."

And with foreigners growing increasingly interested in North American aboriginal cultures, she said a trail that featured stops and lodging along the river's various bands would be particularly attractive to tourists.

"As we're developing a tourism strategy, this will be very important," she said. "The spirit is about partnerships and trying to help out all our neighbours along the trail to be successful."