Island Trails recently welcomed Volunteer Provincial Trail Officers. While visitors and Islanders hike and bike for health, the volunteers will monitor activity, ensure proper use, and make general public safety their priority.
Minister of Tourism, Philip Brown, appointed the new Trails Officers and the program now has 29 members. Each member is expected to spend a minimum of three hours a week patrolling the Trail, and some will spend many more as they participate in various events across the province. Trail Officers completed their training through the Justice Institute and have the authority to issue tickets under the Trails Act for illegal use of the Confederation Trail. In addition to their regular bike patrols on the Trail, these volunteers will accompany participants in weekly trail events and assist the RCMP and municipal police departments with trail patrols and check points.
“The Confederation Trail is a quality tourism and recreation facility and we are taking pro-active measures to ensure that misuse is curtailed.” He added, “It is our intention to promote safety, enhance the natural beauty of the trail and reduce maintenance costs derived from improper use.”
Island Trails is the non-profit, non-government organization which promotes trail development and trail care as well as host/coordinator of various trail events. The group is governed by a volunteer board with representation from across the province.
Program Coordinator, Grace Blackette, said, “The increase in the number of new officers will be a major deterrent for trail vandalism, particularly in the area of ATV’s and other motorized vehicles on the trail.” Ms. Blackette added, “The public relations component of the program is also very important, as officers educate users on trail safety and voluntary compliance.”
The vast majority of users of the trail are respectful of the surroundings which display some of the most beautiful scenery the Island has to offer. As a result, Tourism PEI and Island Trails expect that usage will increase as users continue to enjoy this tip-to-tip recreation treasure.
“We have such a wonderful resource in the Confederation Trail and it’s great to see so many Islanders enjoying the many miles of beautiful landscape through various forms of physical activity on the trail,” said Minister Brown. “Tourism PEI looks forward to working with Island Trails, the voluntary Trail Officers, and users of the trail from tip to tip, as we continue to develop the trail system to its fullest potential.”