Members of the Prince George Naturalists Club, Spinal Cord Injury BC, & REAPS celebrate new observation deck – photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – There was a celebration at the Hudson’s Bay Wetland this afternoon.

It was hosted by the Prince George Naturalist Club and commemorated the construction of a new accessible observation deck and nature trail on the south side of the channel near the footbridge south of Exploration Place.

220 volunteer hours went into the deck with assistance from the Prince George Naturalists Club, Caledonia Ramblers and Prince George Singles Activity Group.

The Naturalists Club’s Clive Keen chaired the project’s sub-committee and calls the deck a special milestone because it represents just the start of what they have planned for the area.

“We need 2.4 km of trail in total with at least six or seven observation features so that people can begin to see what we’re doing and why. In a way it’s always the first thing that’s the most crucial which is why we’re celebrating this.”

He says they also hope to get another path on the north side of the wetland next spring, another observation feature, and if they raise enough money a footbridge to get a complete loop.

In the short term secretary Anne Hogan says they plan to have some interpretive signs attached to the deck and a couple of directional signs on the trail to point people to the accessible observation deck.

She foresees the wetland as a future tourist attraction for Prince George.

“Yes. It will be an attraction for visitors to the city, to locals, and hopefully one day it will become as attractive as Cottonwood Island Park.”

Brandy Stiles with Spinal Cord Injury BC was on hand for today’s festivities and was pleased with what she saw.

“It’s great to have more outdoor spaces that wheelchair users can actually get to and be out in the beautiful nature Prince George has to offer.”