ALTERATIONS TO NATURE TRAIL A CONCERN

As I was jogging around the Baille Ard Nature Trail in Sydney for the second time this week with my son, I couldn’t help but notice the brightly covered markers throughout this beautiful area.

I have recently read that the current plan is still to take down nearly three hectares of this old forest for flood protection.

This trail is within walking distance of my doorstep and my family accesses it at least weekly and sometimes more depending on our schedules. I know many others do so as well as the parking lots are always full — all four seasons of the year.

This trail provides the perfect area to exercise and enjoy nature in all weather. The heavy tree cover blocks harsh winter winds, making it perfect to snowshoe and walk through the trails. The heavy spring rains are barely noticeable with the coverage provided by the many hectares of old trees. My son and I have gone out many times in rain boots and jackets despite dismal weather to get some exercise at the trail.

The trail is also perfect in the summer heat for adventures and exercise as the shade from the tall trees all around provides a cool refuge from the sun. The fall is beautiful and the foliage is amazing to have right in the middle of Sydney.

We celebrate seasons and holidays at the trail. Many trees are decorated around Christmas and on many other holidays you will find little ornaments and signage. My son looks forward to the seasonal discoveries. Painted rocks are often hidden in hollowed-out trees and behind benches.

This trail means a lot to our family and the surrounding community. It is a rare treasure to have access to this quality of a trail in the middle of a city. It is free of charge. Anyone can access it. This is so important as not everyone has access to a gym membership or home exercise equipment. So many people use it for exercise, getting their kids out in fresh air and away from screens, and to clear their minds in the ever chaotic and unpredictable world we live in.

I really worry about the impact from the devastation of removing nearly three hectares of this forest. It will likely open up gaps in the coverage, remove protection from the elements and introduce manmade berms which will away from the area’s natural beauty.

To those with decisionmaking power for the flood protection plans in Sydney, I urge you to carefully look at the benefit removing nearly three hectares of the Baille Ard Trail will have. We can certainly visualize the cost of removing it. And speaking of cost, as a community we should put real value in finding ways to promote health in cost-conscious ways. As a family physician, I certainly see the huge benefit this trail provides for preventative health care. It will cost nothing more to leave the trail as is other than routine maintenance. There are dedicated workers and volunteers that I often see meticulously caring for and maintaining this trail. I appreciate all their hard work as the community benefit is huge.

As a mother, a concerned citizen who frequently accesses this trail and a family physician, I truly hope the Baille Ard Trail can be saved and alternative flood protection models drafted to prevent any future residential damage. Exercise is medicine. Nature is therapy. And the Baille Ard Trail provides both — perfectly as is.

Dawn Browne Sydney