When we go to New Glasgow, we often take the opportunity to walk the Veterans Way around the lake at Trenton Park. This time, we took a different path, the Morash trail and Tree-O trail. We were surprised by a number of items.
The trail was still heavily impacted by the results of Tropical Storm Fiona. It seemed that the trails permitted severe blowdown in the Hemlock forest. Almost a year later, the uprooted trees remained, and the trail was almost impassable.
There was no signage to warn about the condition of the trail. Indeed the trail maps showed on the legend a symbol, “You Are Here” but the symbol was not on the map.
On the positive side, there was considerable growth of fungi, along the trail edge.
Trenton Park is a remarkable community resource for all ages. Besides the trail system, there is a pool, playground and cafe. It is well used by a wide range of age groups from pre-school to seniors.
I find it surprising that there appears to be no consistent province-wide attempt to clean up the deadfall, particularly on crown land. Perhaps, we need Social Forestry in Nova Scotia.
Postscript
Acknowledgements
Heather and I walked the Morash trail.
Reference
Tomi Hazel Vaarde, 2023, Social Forestry: Tending the Land as People of Place, Synergetic Press.
Ernest Blair Experiment 