The Cottonwood Island Tree Bark Carvings are an immersive and subtle piece of public art created by Elmer Gunderson, a former city Parks employee who helped build the trail system through the 1980s. In 2005 the City of Prince George’s 90th Anniversary committee sponsored eight carvings; flooding later damaged two of them. In 2016, six additional carvings were added with support from a Community Enhancement grant.

These carvings—hidden amid the trunks of the mature cottonwood trees along the east bank of the Nechako River—invite visitors to slow down, tread the trails and discover art tucked into the natural landscape. The park’s trail system and riverside setting combine nature and culture for a quiet, contemplative experience.

Visitors can enjoy the walk at their own pace. The carvings are part of a living, evolving outdoor exhibit that may shift with changing river levels, seasons and natural growth.