Map 1
Kenora, northwestern Ontario, Canada.
Map 2
Location of Tunnel Island and proximity to Kenora.
Figure 1
Range and popularity of user activities on Tunnel Island.
Plate 1
Trail network with ‘invented’ place names and sites of interest.
Plate 2
Tunnel Island commoner sends provocative message to fellow users.
Table 1
Categorisation of codes of conduct for the TI trails.
| For all users | Examples |
|---|---|
| Keeping trails clean | “Leave the area as you found it or better than you found it”, “Keep it clean and untouched”, “Respect nature”, “Pick up poop that is on the trail, and never leave any garbage”, “Pick up after others when necessary” |
| Respect for fellow users | “I stay quiet within reason, I do not bring a dog to Tunnel Island, therefore leave no garbage behind”, “Move over (give way) for faster walkers”, “Get out of the way of bikes/faster walkers”, “Pickup dog poop, keep pooch under control, keep it clean, respect other users” |
| Respect for history and cultural artefacts | “Respect geocaches, respect for spiritual/religious offerings/ceremonies”, “Leave tobacco at a few key spots along the trail”, “Generally stick to existing trails, not disturbing the landscape” |
| Environmental protection | “Stick to the trails [limit erosion]”, “Cut as few trees as possible, pick-up garbage, only burn in winter… remove loose rocks or branches that might otherwise injure or impede others”, “No feeding of wildlife” |
| Specific user groups | Examples |
| Mountain-bikers | “On a bike you always make yourself known if coming up on a hiker, yell out what side we are going to pass then on!”, “Typical MTB rules, be respectful of pedestrians and give them the right of way”, “Think of it as a highway and stay on your left to oncoming pedestrians” |
| Dog-walkers | “Don’t allow dog to run loose and pick up the poop”, “Keep dog on a leash in the busiest part of the trail”, “Pick-up after dog or ensure my dog poops far off trail”, “Call for my dog when others approach – put her on a leash if there are lots of dogs”, “Only have dog off leash if friendly”, “Put dog on leash around dog-less people or other leashed dogs” |
Table 2
Grouping of responses to the question, “Are more rules needed for Tunnel Island?”
| More rules needed? | Examples |
|---|---|
| Yes | Dog-poop: “Yes, only for dog owners to pick up after their dogs and not let dogs poop on the middle or even close side of trail”, “Dog owners MUST MUST MUST [authors’ emphasis] do a better job of cleaning up dog faeces, which litter the trails” |
| Leashed Dogs: “I wish there was a code of conduct for dogs. Owners should put a leash on when other people approach”, “Yes, dogs need to be more fully restrained. Some sections of the island, perhaps, could be allocated for off-leash areas, but in general dogs should be on leashes and/or near their owners at all times” | |
| Aggressive Dogs: “Unfriendly dogs on leashes, our dog was almost killed by a big dog on the trails”, “People walking dogs with no leash, is hard if their dog is aggressive and your own dog is on a leash” | |
| New Dog Owners: “Some of the dog owners need more rules applied to them, especially the newcomers” | |
| Vehicle Access: “Sometimes people drive vehicles right in on the trail; should be a barrier at the parking lot”, “No motorized vehicles” | |
| Police Presence: “In certain areas there is graffiti written (train track area) so I think there should be police patrol in area” | |
| Fires: “It’s pretty basic common sense, but I guess maybe some for no fires or using wood from the bush for fires” | |
| No | No need: “Everyone knows the rules”, “Everyone I’ve met is very respectful of the trails”, “It does not seem that busy [so more rules not needed]” |
| Common sense/rely on self-policing: “There’s enough rules to follow everywhere, just be respectful, and if you have a problem with something, deal with it immediately through communicating like adults”, “No, people just need to use common sense and respect” | |
| Difficulty in enforcement: “No. Rules mean more enforcement. Adding more rules doesn’t necessarily mean they will be followed”, “People who don’t follow common courtesy won’t follow more rules anyway”, “No… if more rules are put in place, they will need to be enforced… best to stick with the rules there are currently and educate people to get them to do the right thing” | |
| No need for rules for dogs: “Not as far as for dogs, things are fine from a dog perspective. I hate only on-leash policies”, “We want well behaved dogs and there is an unwritten code among the regulars about dog conduct” |