New funding will lead to more recreation and leisure opportunities in the Northumberland County Forest.
$25,475 in funding from the National Recreational Trails Program has been confirmed for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Lookout Mountain Trail.
This funding, administered by the National Trails Coalition, has been made available through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan for the building and renewal of multi-purpose trails.
Lookout Mountain, located north of Baltimore off Dunbar road, is a popular recreational trail in the Forest and provides breathtaking scenery from the lookout. The funding will allow Northumberland County to make the trail system leading to the summit safe for recreational users as well as being more sustainable in the long-term. Protection and preservation of the mountain’s uncommon and rare ecosystem of trees and plants is also part of the project.
Construction is anticipated to start by June 1st and some of the upgrades include a new one kilometre “natural surface” trail, repairs to 200 metres worth of trail, signage, tree planting along the old trail, and a defined gathering area to view the landscape below.
“Thanks to the financial contribution made by the National Trails Coalition in partnership with the Government of Canada, the County looks forward to improving recreational opportunities in the Forest while reducing any potential impacts to the natural environment in this ecologically important area,” said Marc Coombs, Warden, Northumberland County.