Blocked-off path 'frustrating' for students, residents

Neighbours and students are upset that a short path from a Charlottetown residential street to a parking lot leading to University Avenue has been blocked off.

The city-owned path from Queen Street to Brown's Court is a popular shortcut to University Avenue and the University of Prince Edward Island.

The problem? The path leads to private property.

The property owners, who have five apartments buildings and parking areas in Brown's Court, have blocked off the end of the path with a fence.

That's led to a number of complaints from students and residents.

"Many of them are frustrated by this. They don't understand the need to block off the pathway," said Dana Kenny, president and CEO of the UPEI student union.

"It is one that many of them who are in second, third and fourth year have been using for years now."

Other local residents also have issues with the path being blocked.

Debra MacLeod's son used to catch the bus at Brown's Court with other kids in the area.

"Now they have quite a distance that they have to walk to catch a school bus down to North River Road and all the streets that they do have to walk down to get to this, there are no sidewalks."

The property owners originally put up a fence with a gate several years ago which they say the city would open and close each day, but after the gate was stolen a few weeks ago, they just closed off the gate section with a solid fence.

The owners say they are tired of the foot traffic and vandalism and worry about liability.

They say lawyers are now involved and there are discussions with the city.

There is another path by the Maritime Christian College that could be considered, they say.

Meanwhile, the city says it's working on the problem and hopes to have a solution that will work for everyone in a few days.