Officially opened May 7, 2017, the Willow Trail Boardwalk was actually constructed in three stages, in 2009, 2013 and 2016. The boardwalk leads through brush, open grassland and over wetlands at the west end of Williams Lake, the lake, near the southeast end of Williams Lake, the city. At the end is an observation blind, with other observation areas along the boardwalk at strategic locations.
A nature sanctuary and park, Scout Island’s unique, largely undisturbed, environment has come under the management of the Nature Trust of British Columbia in order to retain it as a sanctuary for native species of wildlife of all types. In the early 70s, the Scout Island property was purchased by the Nature Trust of BC to be conserved as a nature area. In 1977, the
Williams Lake Field Naturalists Club took on running the property, starting in the winter of 1978.
Scout Island Nature Centre
Scout Island, located on the west end of Williams Lake off South Mackenzie Avenue, is a nature sanctuary and park area comprised of two islands connected to the mainland by a vehicle causeway. In addition to a beach area, picnic ground and boat launch, Scout Island contains a series of nature trails that take visitors through a relatively undisturbed natural environment, rich in bird and small wildlife habitat.
Features of Scout Island
A key feature of Scout Island is the Nature House which strategically overlooks the extensive marsh adjacent to the island. The Nature Centre is operated by the Williams Lake Field Naturalists and offers displays, programs and information interpreting the diverse and sensitive environment of Scout Island.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is the owner of this 9.69 hectares which was purchased in 1973 - 1988 and is leased to the City of Williams Lake.
From the Williams Lake