ATHABASCA – After a long hike on Athabasca’s Rotary Way Trail, a beautiful view from a unique vantage point can be a suitable reward for any runner, or hiker, or nature lover, unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone.
The Pirate’s Hill Viewpoint is accessible to hikers and nature lovers at any time they please. It is however, also accessible to those with more nefarious intentions as is exemplified by the fact the local landmark was defaced, damaged and vandalized sometime in the last couple weeks.
Tire tracks could be seen going through a wooden divider, the actual viewing platform was spray painted and the safety rail was also removed and allowed to fall down the 40-foot embankment. The walking trail also sustained some damage.
“It happened last year too and I spent a bunch of hours up there. The short rail was kicked off last year and this year, the whole front overlooking (Landing Trail Intermediate School) was kicked off and kicked down the bank. It would have taken a lot of effort to kick it off,” said Rotarian Brian Scott, who has been out to the site in previous years to deal with the damage done by unknown vandals.
“It’s just really frustrating. A lot of effort went onto it … It’s just unwarranted vandalism for no purpose whatsoever.”
A group of Rotarians did gather May 30 to lend their Saturday morning to getting the site back up to its former appearance.
The Rotary Way Trail has been a feather in the cap of the local Rotary Club since it was opened in 1994. The trail system, which spans from the east hill all the way to the Athabasca Regional Multiplex on the west side of town has been maintained by members ever since and several features have been added, including the Pirate’s Hill Viewpoint about 15 years ago.
“It’s just wanton, needless vandalism. There’s no gain in it. We put it up there for the enjoyment of the public and if it keeps getting damaged, we might have to pull it apart and take it down, but hopefully it won’t come to that,” said Scott.
