ABOUT US
Mission
Island Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and promotion of Prince Edward Island's extensive network of trails.
History
Following 114 years of railway service on Prince Edward Island on Decemeber 28th, 1989, Canadian National Railways ended its involvement with rail transportation on the Island. The next step was divesting the rail lines.
The late Donald Deacon, an avid cyclist, activist, and philanthropist had cycled similar non-used rail lines in the United States. There, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, has successfully lobbied, transferred, and converted abandoned rail-beds to cycling and hiking trails. Donald Deacon recognized the same opportunity existed for recreation and tourism in Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Deacon organized several public meetings with the objective of keeping the abandoned rail-beds in public ownership. Thus, P.E.I. Rails-to-Trails was established. He saw the opportunity to convert the old rail-beds to a linear park stretching from Tignish to Elmira, some 273.5 km. Donald was determined to see those kilometers converted to recreational use. His determination resulted in the main line being completed to that use in ????. Several spur lines have been converted to recreational use during Donald's time.
Rails-to-Trails P.E.I. was incorporated on December 31st, 1990. Approval was granted, on November 1st, 1994, to change the name to Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. The creation of Island Trails coincided with the formation of Trans Canada Trails, a nation wide effort to link Canada from coast to coast through the means of abandoned rail-lines. The work continues.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of representatives from supporters
and user groups including:
- Tourism Industry Association
- Government of Prince Edward Island
- The Medical Society of Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Association
- Cycling Prince Edward Island
- Active Living Alliance
- Trans Canada Trail Foundation
- Canadian Trail Federation
| President: | Dennis Dunne |  |
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| Vice President: | Barbara Trainor | |
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| Treasurer: | Nora Scales | |
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| Secretary: | Brendon McGinn | |
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| Past President: | Brendon McGinn | |
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| Directors: | Doug Murray | |
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| Kevin MacLaren | |
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| Grace Blackette | |
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| Don Larkin | |
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| Emily Duffy-Arsenault | |
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| Larry Cosgrove | |
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| Janet O'Brien | |
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| Frank Curley | |
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| John Palmer | |
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| Tom Connor | |