Victoria_Park_Re port Final.pdf - City of Charlottetown

Final Report • June 2013
VICTORIA PARK COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
Ecological Conservation Zone
Within the ecological conservation zone, the footprint of development and
infrastructure will continue to remain light-handed. This zone of the park should focus
primarily on the ecological objectives, with passive recreational uses becoming the
secondary management intent.
Trail Closures & Consolidation
The trails system is one of the most popular activities within Victoria Park. Off of the
boardwalk, the trails experience is more contemplative, with emphasis on the natural
beauty and serenity of the forest. The existing trail network is a spider web of trails,
many of which were established from use as opposed to formally laid out. The result
is a network without clear direction, and with a density that can compete with key
forest management objectives.
Park staff do have an active program to consolidate and close unnecessary or surplus
trails, and this program should continue. A new trail system has been proposed,
building upon the existing system for consistency and to reduce impact. The new
trail alignment uses two existing trails as a spine upon which to build a stacked loop
system more in keeping with some of the original forms from Victoria Park’s origin. In
additional to referencing the traditional layout, the stacked trail system provides more
route option for trail users while allowing for larger contiguous blocks of uninterrupted
forest. The trail system should follow the outlined hierarchy, with primary and
secondary trails in the forested areas, and wider facilities elsewhere in the park.
As part of the closure and consolidation program, public education and outreach will
have to be expanded to ensure adoption of the program by park users. Staff have
indicated that quite often, attempts to close trails are thwarted by users who do not
understand the broader intentions of trail consolidation. Resources should be allocated
to a trail outreach program to help support trail closure initiatives in the park, and to
encourage good trail stewardship and etiquette. These closures can be used to educate
visitors on ecological conservation efforts within the park. They offer important
opportunities to instill a sense of stewardship and ownership. A more educated park
user is less likely to thwart efforts by staff to protect park ecological resources.
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