Construction of trail system is underway in the expanded park in Bonshaw Hills and there are currently more than eight kilometers of trail constructed and ready for use, says Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar.
“Construction of an extensive public trail system within the expanded Bonshaw Provincial park is well underway, including completion of two pedestrian bridges at the Bonshaw River,” said Minister Biggar. “Islanders are already using the trails and temporary trail signage will soon be in place.”
Government purchased 156 acres of private land in the Bonshaw area to add to the expanded park which also includes the existing land in the Bonshaw and Strathgartney Provincial Parks. The expanded park will include areas for year-round active living and recreation. This includes outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
“These lands feature a rich mix of forest ecosystems, so it is important that these lands be carefully managed” said Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell. “With the advice of the Bonshaw Hills Public Land Committee, government is doing great work to engage Islanders in the conservation of these ecologically important lands.”
The Bonshaw Hills Public Land Committee is working with the PEI Council of People with Disabilities to develop wheelchair accessible pathways within the expanded park. Recreation PEI has also come on board to assist with development of a natural play space at the Bonshaw Day Park.
“The Bonshaw Hills Public Land Committee continues to develop an expanded provincial park with a balanced set of values for ecological and heritage conservation, outdoor recreation and education,” said co-chair Jackie Waddell. “We are very excited to see Islanders enjoying this space and we look forward to the improvements to come.”
A map identifying the trails currently available for use can be found online at http://www.gov.pe.ca/tir/bonshawhills