Further information about a meandering a three-foot wide walking path to connect Point Traverse and Monarch Point along the County’s rugged and majestic south shore will be available Saturday at Mariners Park Museum.

And that information will be accurate.

The South Shore Joint Initiative hosts a free, fun and family-friendly launch event at the park rain or shine from 10  to 4 pm. A handful of guided nature walks in three distinct areas of undeveloped north Lake Ontario shoreline, kids’ games, and information booths are all part of the fun.

The footpath project, a proposed 26 km pedestrian-only walking and hiking trail, is still very much in its genesis. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust, both of which manage blocks of land the path could traverse, have signalled their support. So have federal and provincial ministries such as the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. All will be present at Mariner’s Park Saturday to discuss their role in preserving  the south shore.

An opportunity for questions and answers, respectful and accurate dialogue, and the sharing of ideas will be a key part of the launch event, according to the project’s lead Geoff Craig.

Mr. Craig said that further dialogue between SSJI volunteers and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the Ministry of the Environment is in the works. All three organizations have agreed that current trails could be used almost immediately to build a temporary footpath network. Where there are private blocks of land without access, the proposed trail would hook up with the municipal road system.

“You string those blocks together, and there’s an excellent opportunity to have lengths of temporary or permanent walking trails in a significant amount of land for people to get out and enjoy nature,” he said.

The footpath project creates a haven of biodiversity and allows the public to interact with nature in designated, non-sensitive areas. It offers a low-impact means for people to enjoy the south shore while ensuring the protection, preservation and restoration of its lands and waters. 

Clearing the Air

Misinformation has clouded the project. One of the claims circulating in the weeks since it was first announced was that the SSJI or its partners would be expropriating land along the shoreline for the footpath.

Mr. Craig affirmed his organization is not in the business of acquiring land. The NCC and the CWS have purchased land along the south shore for conservation purposes, but only if the property has come on the market.

“It’s completely voluntary. If a land owner is interested in selling property, the NCC and the CWS want to speak to them,” said Mr. Craig.

Could the footpath lead to development? Given the municipal, provincial and federal environmental protections in place at the south shore, not likely. Mr. Craig made it clear the SSJI would, by virtue of their mission, oppose development.

“The SSJI fully supports the protection, preservation and reservation of the county’s south shore land and waters and that means protection against development. We’re led by a vision of a permanently protected Prince Edward County South Shore where together biodiversity and people thrive.

The foot path would provide a trail allowing walkers to access parts of the south shore while steering them away from areas of species at risk.

Legacy Uses

Finally, Mr. Craig reiterated SSJI’s support for historical and legacy activities at Monarch Point — namely, ATV riding.

“Enjoying nature is important to everyone’s well being and how you do that is up to you,” Mr. Craig said, referencing ATV riding, biking, snowmobiling, walking, hunting, fishing, birdwatching and photography as just some of the traditional activities that have and will continue to take place at the south shore.

“We support it all but it comes down to responsible and appropriate use. We hold ourselves to that ideal and we hope all other users, however they get out and enjoy nature, will do the same.”

Those with questions about the project can submit queries to footpath@ssji.ca. For more information and to book space in the walking tour, please visit ssji.ca.