The Millennium Trail is an important feature of Prince Edward County that was underused. The purpose of our project was to make the trail more suitable for walkers, joggers, cyclists, ATV’s and snowmobiles. While the Trail is 49km long, extending from Carrying Place to Picton, the initial project improved 11 km in and around Wellington, from Danforth Road to Highway 33 east of the village. The project had the support of the Prince Edward County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Improvements included re-surfacing the Trail, clearing brush, establishing a parking lot, kiosk, and washroom at West Street, improved signage, linked trails and annual maintenance. Rotary and community volunteers worked on the improvements along with contractors supplying material and specialized equipment.
The project was undertaken in three stages, east from Belleville Street east to Loyalist Parkway, west from Consecon Street to Danforth Road, then from Consecon Street to Belleville Street. The first stage was officially opened January 17, 2013 and stage two was finished by September 2013 and stage 3 resurfacing was completed in July 2015.
The trail from Consecon Street to Belleville Street features a kiosk with interpretive signs, a parking lot and a public toilet. The interpretive signs give the history of the railroad, industry serviced by railroad and the First Nations who lived in this area. The kiosk was completed in summer 2016.
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The project of completing the upgrade of the balance of the 49 km Trail was assumed by the PEC Trail Committee (spearheaded by Rotarian Barry Davidson and supported by enthusiastic volunteers from the community) and the County. Many Rotary members worked on this upgrade, cutting brush back so the trucks carrying in the limestone screenings could safely pass. The initial work consisted of raising the surface level of the Trail through the Hillier area wetlands, grading the whole length of the Trail to be improved, then topping it with a packed layer of limestone screenings.
Two new rest areas were constructed in Hillier and Consecon copying the Wellington installation. A parking lot, kiosk and washroom were constructed by Rotary members and other volunteers from the community. These were completed in 2021.
On an ongoing basis, some Rotary members are working as Trail ambassadors, caring for a portion of the Trail, cutting back brush, picking up garbage (although there is not much), filling in small divots, calling in County workers when trees fall on to the Trail and generally helping
visitors and keeping an eye on their portion of the Trail.
visitors and keeping an eye on their portion of the Trail.
(updated 2022-02-14)