That’s not been the case this past summer, and the result has been the trampling of environmentally sensitive flowers and plants as people explore the park by taking their own routes.

It’s forcing the authority to consider putting up signs warning people to stay off the new paths, which are becoming “quite noticeable” a little more than a year after the area was opened to the public, he said.

“Here at the karst we designed these all-weather, multi-purpose trails that we know are suitable for taking people to almost every corner of the property and we’d like them to stay on that,” said Mr. Mackenzie, the authority’s operations manager.

“These unofficial trails will lead to long-term damage in the area and it is a relatively small area,” he said. “One trail leads (to another). You give them an inch, you give them a mile. If there’s one there today, you know that’s going to lead to others.”

Mr. Mackenzie said some of the paths may have had historic use, including for access to an area popular for bush parties, but the plan is to allow them to regenerate.

While the park has suffered some vandalism – to educational signs and a bridge – off-trail use remains the biggest concern, he said.

“The more people out there on a legitimate basis, the less vandalism there is,” he said, noting staff is also keeping a closer watch. “We’re hoping it’s gone away.”