By Tyson Leonard
[1]Enjoying nature – Angela Barrett is a local resident who regularly uses the trails to walk her two dogs on the off-leash trail. Photo by Tyson Leonard
All sorts of people are taking full advantage of Quinte’s abundant green spaces.
A recent Ipsos Reid poll showed about two-thirds of Canadians felt that local, provincial, and national parks were very important to themselves and their families.
Curtis Devries was on the Quinte Conservation trails earlier this week practicing with his high school cross-country team.
“I think it’s pretty important (to have green spaces), because lots of different people are using it for different things. We are using it right now for our high school cross-country practice, actually, and there are lots of people in here all the time, so it’s great for everybody to use,” said Devries.
Marina Guadagmin was also with the cross-country team.
“I think it’s important because you can escape from your city lives, and you can spend some time in the green areas and get some fresh air,” said Guadagmin.
Others like James Frampton appreciate the trails for their beauty.
“My wife and I were here doing maternity photos in preparation for our baby, and the photographer recommended this location, and it was really pretty,” said Frampton.
Frampton wasn’t sure whether he chose the location because of any sort of connection to nature. Instead, he said he thought the area was just really beautiful.
Quinte Conservation said it’s important for the community to have access to green spaces.
“Its important for people to connect with nature so they understand the importance of protecting it,” said Jennifer May-Anderson, a communications and marketing specialist with Quinte Conservation.
“Conservation areas protect and preserve some naturally sensitive areas, that might otherwise be developed.”
May-Anderson said it isn’t just about protecting the environment. Having available green spaces is a great way to build a community.
“We’re often seeing families walking together and the dog walkers that use the ‘pooch path,’ they are definitely a community,” said May-Anderson. “We have some very dedicated hikers that are here regularly, and in the winter, it’s very common to see someone with their cross-country skies heading out onto the trail.”
Quinte Conservation looks after 20 conservations areas from the Depot Lakes campground near Verona to Macaulay Mountain in Prince Edward County. May-Anderson said it’s easy to underappreciate green spaces in Quinte because there are so many available.
Quinte Conservations plans for the future include building an accessible trail for those with mobility issues. A fundraiser was held last Friday in an effort to raise money. The trail would be located on the Bay of Quinte.
Information on Quinte Conservation’s trails can be found on their website, quinteconservation.ca [2].