Dear editor,
The CVLT is delighted to hear that the Wellington Grade properties have been acquired for park purposes.
As you are aware this land has been used as an “unofficial” trail for many years and we are very happy to list this acquisition as another step in implementing the directions recommended in our Nature Without Borders report and the Regional Growth Strategy.
We see this trail becoming a major connecting trail in the Rail to Trail Project and forming a non-motorized vehicle connection between Cumberland and Royston.
It has been a real pleasure working with Edwin Grieve, his fellow area directors Bruce Jolliffe and Jim Gillis, and parks manager Michel Nihls towards securing these properties as parkland for the purpose of a public trail extending almost five kilometres from Trent Road to the Village of Cumberland.
The trail will contribute to the health and fitness of hikers and cyclists and offer opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife. The corridor also preserves connectivity for wildlife and is now protected in perpetuity for our local rich biodiversity to flourish in the adjacent maturing second-growth forest and wetlands.
The Comox Valley Land Trust has viewed this potential trail as a priority since 2007 and we are extremely thankful it is now secure.
Thank you to all who worked so diligently to make this happen and we offer our assistance in making this trail a well-known and used feature of Comox Valley life and working with the Regional District in implementing other aspects of the Regional Growth Strategy.
Jack Minard
Editor's note: Jack Minard is the executive director of the Comox Valley Land Trust.