Railway Trail and make it easier to follow by adding footbridges where necessary.

Mr. Michael Weston of Surrey even suggested a footbridge with a cycle track connecting Coney Island to Ferry Point to make walking to St. George's less dangerous.

But the Parks Department said yesterday its hands were tied because it did not own the scenic trail.

Assistant Parks director Mr. Bill Cook said the department has for years been trying to acquire the 90-acre trail of park land from the Works and Engineering Ministry.

But the Ministry has consistently refused to give up ownership of it, he said.

"We have attempted numerous times to get the trail into the parks system, and been shot down each time.'' Mr. Cook said. "It's too bad because it's an outstanding trail that connects many parks. It would be a great green necklace.'' He added the department was becoming concerned about the number of builders applying for and receiving permission to chop through the trail to gain access to their properties.

"They (Planning) do monitor it well,'' he said, "but some applications do get approved.'' Mr. Cook did not know the Ministry's reasons for wanting to keep control of the trail, though he was sure it had no plans to turn it into a highway.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, however, said he could not recall ever being asked by the department to hand over the trail.

"It's never been a question as long as I have been here,'' he said. Dr.

Terceira added the Ministry had a committee whose job it was to maintain the trail.

"They work hard to keep it in shape and do an absolutely super job,'' he said.

Responding to Mr. Weston's suggestions, Mr. Cook pointed out fishing boats and yachts used the passage between Coney Island and Ferry Point to get out to the North Shore.

He said it would be very expensive project in any event, but even more so to make the footbridge high enough for boats to continue to use the passage.

A swing bridge would obviously be out of the question, he said.

Mr. Weston, who has visited the Island five times, and walked from one end to the other, also said more could be done for walkers in general.

Mr. Cook, however, said the department did not want to put man-made paths all over the Island for fear they would detract from its natural beauty.