It may seem “a natural” move, but councillors here want a bit more information before fully endorsing improvements to a trail already used informally by local residents.
On June 7, Bill Dinwoody spoke about projects the Erin trails group is involved in doing.
“We’ve been working for quite a number of years with Credit Valley” he said of the conservation authority.
There is currently a committee of 30 people with various levels of experience.
“We’ve divided them up into four teams to section off the village of Erin to start looking at the informal trails the population is using and created themselves.”
A report came back with which might be the best ones. Any trails crossing private land will not be touched, Dinwoody said.
He noted there may be discussions in the future.
“In the meantime, we did discover a path that is being very well used.”
It runs parallel to Highway 124 and in behind the apartment buildings. He said a lot of people use that path to walk downtown.
Since it is public land, Dinwoody said the group thought it is an opportunity to enhance as a trail and make it much easier for people to use. He noted the trail ultimately connects with the one at the water tower hill.
“At this point we could look at it as a safety route.”
He said the Rotary Club also expressed interest in a partnership in the project.
“They have offered to pay up to $5,000 in expenses at this point,” Dinwoody said.
“We believe, as do Rotary, that promoting the trails to the community and the public and use of these trails will lead to a healthier community with the simple activity of walking, reducing the use of cars for short trips while improving the economic health of Erin by appealing to visitors.”
He added that promoting a walking, biking, and hiking community falls within green initiatives and benefits all.
Dinwoody recognized that active transportation initiatives are underway within Wellington County. “We believe they will be looking at the connections to the various towns to where these trails are. Our trails are within the community and will link up with the Elora-Cataract Trail, which is part of the TransCanada Trailway.”
In turn, those link into other regional trails, he said.
One of the items drawn to his attention, is since the proposal is on public land, he believed a motion from council is be needed to permit the work.
He also sought council’s support to help improve the trails.
Councillor Barb Tocher agreed council approval is needed in the form of a resolution.
“I think you should also be working in conjunction with one of the department heads.”
She said, “Council will need a little clearer plan. It is an existing pathway and I know people use it.”
Previously, when council visited the water tour trail, “We looked at it and thought [this trail] would be a natural to develop.”
She suggested wood chips would not be conducive to biking.
Dinwoody noted several committee members also belong to the Bruce Trail Association and would have ideas of what would be useful.
He suspected that Credit Valley Conservation may have some involvement as well.
“It is hoped that the walkway over the stream will allow us to access the back side of the water tower hill.”
Mayor Lou Maieron suggested council will likely require more information and Dinwoody might want to appear as a delegation.
While he agreed council was presented with a bit of a map, Maieron encouraged Dinwoody to offer something more formal.
Tocher was not certain an additional presentation is needed, but more than the plans were set down on paper and sent to council as it prepared a resolution for the next council meeting.
She did not see that work being too difficult – to present items such as the path width, location, materials to be used, and what permits would be sought, “so we have something to make a resolution on.”
Maieron said the presentation would also provide publicity about where the trail would be.
Tocher added, “I think we’re fully in support [of this]. It’s a natural trail and people are going to use it anyway. You might as well make it more comfortable to use.”
She added there is the potential for wheelchair access or for those with mobility issues.
Maieron said anytime one is dealing with the CVC bridges become an issue.
“It’s not like in the good old days where you could just put a bridge across. I think council is supportive; we just need a few more details.”
Council made a verbal resolution of support to allow the group to make funding applications.
Tocher also asked that when the future presentation is made, an estimate of the costs is also provided.
