Postmedia Staff
Published Jun 23, 2023
One of Quinte Conservation’s properties opened its brand-new trailhead off of Moira Street West. North Potter’s Creek Conservation Area is one of seven conservation areas receiving improvements over the next few years as part of the Quinte Conservation Area Short-Term Improvement Strategy. In addition to the new trailhead and informational kiosk, a new 1.9 km trail linking to the current trail system has been named in honour of past General Manager, Terry Murphy, as a way to recognize his dedicated 40-year career with the organization.

Corporate Services Manager, Tammy Smith says, “We have been looking for a way to recognize Terry Murphy for his many years of leadership, wisdom, and ingenuity that contributed to the many successful programs and services offered by Quinte Conservation. When we started plans for North Potter’s Creek, it was an unanimous decision by staff to name the new trail in his honour.”

Starting June 23, visitors to North Potter’s Creek will need to enter the trail system through the new entrance at 935 Moira Street West in Belleville. A guided audio hike of the area is available through the QR code on the informational kiosk. Murphy’s Trail travels by a constructed wetland that will provide important habitat. Volunteers through Alair Homes in Belleville have built a boardwalk over seasonally wet land so that visitors can enjoy the new trail year-round. Eventually, the looped part of the trail will become a gravel path for ease of access. Murphy’s Trail connects to access points on both the blue and green trails, linking hikers to an additional 5.3 km. Due to pedestrian restrictions under the railway bridge, there will no longer be access to the trail network south of the tracks. South Potter’s Creek at 2056 Old Highway 2 will now be considered a separate conservation area.

Quinte Conservation’s Short-term Area Improvement Strategy is available online under the Outdoor Spaces tab at QuinteConservation.ca. Those interested can view plans and provide feedback. Conservation Area improvements are made possible through paid parking revenue, fundraising, grants, and volunteer efforts. Over the next year, electronic parking gates will be installed at the following locations: South Potter’s Creek, Massassauga Point, Macaulay Mountain, and H.R. Frink. Parking revenue will assist with area management and maintenance costs such as vandalism and garbage cleanup. Since paid parking was initiated in 2018, funds have been spent on improvements and maintenance to keep the areas open, safe, and accessible for public use.

Smith adds, “It’s incredible to see the support from our visitors who have been paying for parking and purchasing annual passes. Because of that revenue, we are now able to really focus on creating the best experience in nature for our visitors.”

Annual parking passes are available at QuinteConservation.ca for $60 and grant access to all of Quinte Conservation’s areas for one year from the date of purchase.