The Friends of Island Lake (FOIL) held their annual Fall Trail Donation Day on Saturday, September 11. The event was hosted in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) and raised $2,300 in support Island Lake’s Covered Bridge Project. Orangeville Mayor, Sandy Brown also took part in the volunteer day.

“Trail Donation Day was a great opportunity for the whole community to come out and support the park,” said Jon MacMull, Acting Executive Director, CVCF. “This year, funds raised support our covered bridge, the latest infrastructure project at Island Lake Conservation Area. This project brings a little history to the park and provides visitors with a peaceful place to stop and reflect during their time in nature.”

The covered bridge is a 70-foot covered structure that enhances the trail and the landscape. The project connects the past with the present at the park. Historically, covered bridges were used to protect sensitive infrastructure from the elements. Today, they remind us of a simpler time and enhance the visitors park experience. Only 10 per cent of Canada’s historic covered bridges from the 19^th century remain intact.

"Island Lake Conservation Area is right in our backyard. It's a tremendous recreational asset for our community," said Mayor Sandy Brown. "The Friends of Island Lake is an enthusiastic group of community-minded folks who volunteer to assist at events and fundraise for park improvements and trail maintenance. A big thank you to them and to all who generously contributed to our Trail Donation Day!"

Since 2005, FOIL has raised over $2.6 million in donations, constructed more than 10 kilometres of fully accessible trail and volunteered over 10,000 hours annually toward park projects.

The trails at Island Lake Conservation Area help connect the municipalities of Orangeville and Mono. The number of people on the trails has increased since July 2015 when the final bridges were installed on the Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail. The bridges created a full trail loop around Island Lake. Last year, more than 272,000 people visited the park.

For more details about how you can support infrastructure projects at Island Lake Conservation Area, visit cvcfoundation.ca/donate/island-lake.