Forest paths and trails engender a sense of wellbeing, reduce stress, and invariably make us feel better for having had time walking, running or simply sitting quietly among the trees on our way to someplace, or just being still with no agenda at all.

The existing trail through Rainbow Ridge was forged by the company that last logged those lands. It was cut with no consideration towards the sensitive areas that need to be preserved, nor the water drainage issues that were created by an ill-conceived logging road. Land mitigation and correcting the flow of water to protect the lakes and properties around them by eventually eliminating the old road is part of the benefit of this new Trail Initiative.

Towards this end, we are proposing 1000 meters of trail which take these sensitive environmental considerations into account. It is our wish to have this done prior to starting the build of 20 new housing units, since at that point the northern portion of the old logging road will be decommissioned and no longer open to the public when the site becomes a construction zone. So many of us in the community are now using and enjoying having access to those lands, both as a means to get somewhere as well as a great place just to walk, bike, horse ride, or take the dog for a run.

BC Housing is the provincial granting agency that covers the building of affordable housing. They do not cover trail building. The government grants available for such a project are few and far between. We will of course continue to apply for each available grant, but in reality, if we want to have a well-conceived, environmentally sensitive trail through Rainbow Ridge, we must finance it and build it ourselves.

Please help make this happen by donating to this community endeavor at any level that you can because every dollar counts for the benefit of all who will use it, now and for generations to come.

All donations will receive a 2021 Canadian charitable receipt from the CISS–Housing Committee. You can donate online now by clicking here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cortes-island-seniors-society/

OR send a cheque to: Cortes Island Seniors Society–Housing Committee
PO BOX 27, Mansons Landing, BC, V0P 1K0

American donors can get a US tax deductible receipt via TIDES-US Foundation by designating your donation to the Cortes Community Housing Fund – 2250 via this link: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/tidesfoundation

Let’s make this a reality and a public legacy for the benefit of all residents and visitors to Cortes Island. This trail is for us, it will be ours, our children’s and their children’s too. Whether you have a little or a more substantial amount to give to this Trail Initiative; together we can make this happen, one dollar at a time and one step at a time.

With thanks to all trail blazers,
Sandra Wood, Executive Director
On behalf of Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS)
and the Cortes Island Seniors Society (CISS)