Recreation

As part of the Project’s design, THEL would like to enhance recreational opportunities in the area by providing alternative trails and trail network connections between Pine Creek beach, Monarch Mountain, the campground, and trails used on the north side of Pine Creek. Design, development and maintenance of this network would occur in consultation with the community and interested parties, and regular maintenance of the trails and signs would be completed by THEL.

THEL also proposes to develop a small public parking area at the lower powerhouse, and to develop the tailrace service road into a wheelchair-accessible trail. This 500 m-long gravel route would have seating benches and interpretive signs, while a pedestrian overpass would be developed to maintain access to Pine Creek. As well, fish habitat would be developed within the tailrace, which may provide angling opportunities from the trail. The powerhouse itself may also be designed to have a pleasant façade, such as community mural art.

THEL hopes that the accessibility of the service-road trail by people with mobility issues would be viewed positively. While the tailrace would be visible, the service-road trail would be designed to blend with the natural environment. The tailrace itself, being a slow-moving extension of the lake, is also likely to improve ice stability and safety at and near the mouth of Pine Creek.