Cobden’s Nature Trail is now more pleasurable to walk along now that it has been cleared.
Recently, about 10 members of the Cobden and District Civitan Club spent an evening trimming, brushing and mowing along the trail, which is in the marshland at the intersection of Foresters Falls Road and Hwy. 17, said club president John Felix Cull.
On the future agenda, the club is hopeful of expanding the trail by making a trail along a looping berm, he said. Each end of the berm is open, it just needs to be debrushed in the centre, he added. It’s expected this could be done sometime in the fall, he said.
“There’s a lot of nice nature there, such as flowers, trees, birds and frogs,” Mr. Cull said.
There’s hope the environmental students at Algonquin college, who use the trail for educational purposes, will install informational signage some day.
The trail has been open to the public for about 4 years, he said. It begins at the Cobden wastewater plant and goes to the Foresters Falls Road. The entrance is between the rock face and chain link fence around the perimeter of the plant. There was a sign posted on the front of the fence facing Astrolabe Road, but it has been moved to the side, he noted.
There is an entranceway on Foresters Falls Road, but there is no parking except for along the road, he said. At the main entrance, parking can be done on the side street or down below the wastewater treatment plant.
The larger sign promoting the Civitan club that was in Cobden’s park will be used to promote the trail once it is refurbished, he said.
Mr. Cull said the trail is well used and can be used by anyone, even those who are physically challenged. However, he suggests if a person is physically challenged, they not go alone in case an accident does occur.
“Everyone is invited to use this trail,” he said.
While there are several people who walk their dogs along the trail, Mr. Cull said there is not much evidence of this. As well, the garbage bins are being used.
“I was impressed there was little to no garbage,” he said. “People are responsible enough to pick up after themselves.”
As for the trail being near the wastewater treatment plant, and running through the lagoon used for the treated water, Mr. Cull said there is no foul aroma from the marsh or lagoon.
