THUNDER BAY — Hikers and others using the Mills Block Conservation Area off John Street Road can expect to see some improvements over the next few years.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is planning upgrades to improve access to the 284-hectare forested area that features a four-kilometre hiking trail.
Chief administrative officer Tammy Cook said Wednesday that an engineering firm will be hired this year to design a plan.
Enhancements such as an enlarged and relocated parking lot, new toilet facilities, a pavilion and picnic tables are among the upgrades being contemplated.
Cook said the LRCA would like to improve the overall user experience at Mills Block.
"Right now, it's fairly well-used, especially for dog-walking. I don't have the exact number off the top of my head, where it lies in comparison to the other conservation areas, but it is well-used."
Cook said enlarging the parking lot would also allow school buses to access the site.
"That would be something we would definitely take into consideration, knowing that we do get some school groups there, and then they could safely bring a bus in to unload students. And it might be somewhere where we could expand some of our environmental education programming."
Depending on the availability of funding, work could begin in 2025.
At another LRCA property, the Cascades Conservation Area, the installation of an accessible toilet was recently completed.
It's located on the paved trail system near the visitor pavilion.
The LRCA continues to work to make its conservation areas compliant with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
