A boardwalk through a "green lung“ in the heart of Paget has reopened to the public, the Bermuda National Trust announced today.

The BNT said that material made from recycled bottles replaced wooden beams on the structure at the Paget Marsh Nature Reserve, which is the least disturbed of Bermuda’s original peat swamps.

It added that the boardwalk, which also had new decking installed, “allows the public to enjoy a walk at the reserve and experience the various marsh habitats, which would otherwise be impossible due to the wet ground. It is an important space for experiential learning about Bermuda’s natural history for Bermuda’s schoolchildren and it provides access for conservation maintenance such as the removal of invasive species”.

The BNT added: “Interpretive signage provides for learning about Bermuda’s natural heritage.”

An even path from the car park to the boardwalk — which stretches 335ft and was closed in 2019 — and a wheelchair-accessible entrance gate makes the 25-year-old reserve the only one in Bermuda that is fully wheelchair-friendly.

Karen Border, the BNT’s executive director, thanked Aspen Bermuda Limited, the Conduit Foundation and private donors who sponsored the project.

She said: “Their support recognises the incredible value of this 20-acre nature reserve that acts as a green lung in the heart of Paget, offers people a glimpse back into pre-settlement Bermuda and is a stronghold of our native and endemic biodiversity.”

Adam Barboza, Aspen Bermuda’s director of corporate responsibility, said the company was pleased to support the BNT’s efforts and “grateful for the dedication and hard work of their team and its contractors to get the Paget Marsh boardwalk operational again”.

He added: “We hope that it gives all its visitors the accessibility and opportunity to witness first-hand one of Bermuda’s true natural wonders.”

Stuart Quinlan, Conduit Re’s chief executive and chief operating officer, echoed Mr Barboza’s comments and said the project “enables all members of our community to enjoy and learn about this unique nature reserve”.

Brown and Company began working last year on the restorations, which took several months to complete.