The City of Port Alberni, British Columbia, has closed a section of its trail network after heavy rains caused soil erosion and a partial collapse. The land slip and damage were first reported on January 13, 2026, and the city issued a formal public advisory on January 15 closing the connector trail between the Scott Kenny Trail and the Roger Creek Trail, specifically north of the Alberni District Fall Fairgrounds.
The damage was caused by significant soil erosion that left the path unstable and unsafe for public use. The city has installed physical barricades and posted signage at trailheads to prevent people from entering the area while crews undertake an engineering safety assessment to determine the scope of repairs. The trail will remain closed until further notice.
Louizandre Dauphin, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, told the Vancouver Island Free Daily, “We’ve had some significant soil erosion that took out part of the trail.” Dauphin said crews inspected the site after the land slip and did not have a timeline for when repairs would be completed. The city is asking residents, including daily dog walkers, hikers and cyclists, to obey posted signage and use alternative routes.
The connector is an important “crosstown” route that allows residents to travel across Port Alberni without using busy roads. Much of the Scott Kenny–Roger Creek route was upgraded in late 2023 and 2024 with provincial active-transportation funding (BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Program). The city has also noted that timing for major repairs may be constrained by a “fish window” that limits when heavy machinery can enter the ravine.
