The County is getting serious about making $450,000 in much needed upgrades to its Millennium Trail to encourage active lifestyles.
Tuesday night, a handful of County residents praised council’s decision to apply for $250,000 in funding through the Ontario 150 Community Capital Program to repair the trail stretching from Trenton to Picton. The remainder will be split three ways with The County budgeting for $140,000 (to be split between 2017-18); $80,000 in fundraising through the Prince Edward County Trails Association and $5,000 from another environmental grant.
The Rotary Club of Wellington has made significant contributions to upgrading the Millennium Trail from Danforth Road to Highway 33/Loyalist Parkway east of Wellington making it a usable surface for many trail users including cyclists; hikers; wheelchairs and people with strollers. There is also a launching area and kiosk for the Trail at West Street in Wellington.
Members of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists were on hand Tuesday night, to request that the project be considered of community interest because there are some issues with the wetlands in Wellington and Hillier. Council heard how animals such as beavers are swimming over portions of the existing trail which will make resurfacing difficult.
Bloomfield resident Patrick Maloney told council one of the main reasons he bought his home was because it was so close to the Millennium Trail.
“I was disappointed to see the shape of it,” the cycling activist admitted. “This will bring it up to shape where the County can reap the benefits of it.”
