Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS) is launching a summer fundraiser to expand and improve the trail system in the south end of Cortes Island.Executive Director Sandra Wood explained the fundraiser’s goal is $80,000, which will be used for:Planning the trail routeClearing undergrowthCreating level pathwaysInstalling culvertsCreating signageTree limbing and maintenanceFirewood productionBuilding park benchesCHS places an emphasis on generating local economic development and hopes to hire local tradespeople and craftspeople, and use primarily lumber from Community Forest and on-island mills.The trail improvements will includeAn east-west segment from Manson’s Hall to the Health CenterA bypass of part of the logging road which will be decommissioned once housing construction beginsAligning the entrance from Cemetery Road to be across from the Siskin Lane trails entrance and raise it to avoid mud in the winterUltimately, a continuous connection of Smelt Bay to Manson’s LandingProvide pedestrians and bicyclists a safer alternative to the road, thereby increasing foot and bike traffic and decreasing automobile usageAll donations will receive a 2021 Canadian charitable receipt from the CISS–Housing Committee. You can donate online now by clicking here or by sending a cheque to: Cortes Island Seniors Society–Housing CommitteePO BOX 27Mansons Landing, BC,V0P 1K0American donors can get a US tax deductible receipt via TIDES-US Foundation by designating your donation to the Cortes Community Housing Fund – 2250 via this linkTwo exciting events with prizes will also be announced in the next few weeks.In the meantime, CHS will continue to work with architects and engineers to successfully reapply for BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund, likely in 2022, to begin work on the housing units.