Trails across the Island saw a significant amount of natural damage over the winter of 2000-2001. Although crews are out repairing the damage caused by mother nature, a more annoying cause of damage has occurred as well. Vandalism has become significant on Island Trails, causing unnecessary and expensive repairs.
"I don't think that vandals understand the ramifications of their actions," noted Tourism Minister, Greg Deighan, "which of course assumes that they consider their actions at all, which apparently they do not. But the damage that is caused on the trail is repaired with provincial dollars...Islanders' dollars... and, ironically, those that are causing the damage are paying for the repairs as well."
While random acts of vandalism create one type of damage to the trail, actions of a less criminal nature also wreak havoc for those responsible for maintenance. Drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), dirt bikes, and other motorized vehicles which are prohibited ignore signage and wander onto the trails. These vehicles damage the trail surface and pose a liability risk to anyone walking or cycling. Similarly, standard bred horses and sulkies are very hard on the trail surface and can pose a risk to trail users as well.
The Island Trail system covers the Island from tip to tip and is the first provincial section of the Trans Canada Trail to be completed. It offers an excellent recreational venue for Islanders and visitors to explore Prince Edward Island.
"We would like to ask for the assistance of all Islanders in curtailing vandalism on the trail system and also ask the general public to contact the Trail Watch Coordinator, Island Trails, at (902) 583-2412 with any information they might have regarding any occurrence of vandalism they are aware of," noted the Minister. "The more co-operatively we work on maintaining the quality of the trail, the more we will have the opportunity to enjoy it."