Accessible trails would be a better use of tax dollars
To the Expositor:
Some may be aware that I had been trying for two years to get involved in the development of the Bowerman Trail in South Baymouth. As an ardent naturalist and founder of the Manitoulin Nature Notes Facebook group, I hoped to set up and help maintain a dedicated group, like others on the Island, establish a field office, run training courses, create interpretive trails, offer guided tours. This was a retirement ambition, helping promote South Baymouth as a destination. Despite numerous attendances, requests and even correspondence to The Expositor, I received no response from Tehkummah administration.
They have now closed the trails. You may want to mention it to your readers and make adjustments to your tourist guides as many people turn up to walk them.
As feared, the administration is pressing ahead regardless of being totally oblivious to the actual best practices for the design, construction and maintenance of a sustainable trail. Instead of pre-planning an accessible route for as many people as possible, taking in significant natural features, they are going to spend tens of thousands of dollars building adventure playground type structures which may look cool, but are obstacles to seniors and people with disabilities and do little to develop and promote the important natural features of the trails.
Professional naturalists have walked the trails and even marked out one route which avoids difficult natural features. While this may not be as “cool” as some of Dick Bowerman’s structures, it is far cheaper, safer and can also take in important natural features. The Tehkummah administration took no interest.
With no local elections for two years, I fear a golden opportunity to develop a leading ecologically significant resource is being squandered.
Sincerely
David Samuels
Tehkummah
