A paved upgrade to the Omemee section of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail has been completed and is open to the public.
Completed by the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association with funding from the Trans Canada Trail Foundation and the Government of Canada Active Transportation Fund, the upgrade on the 1.6-kilometre section of the trail from Sibley Avenue to Emily Street provides smooth paved access for a variety of non-motorized use.
Along with the three-metre-wide paved trail, the upgrade include installation of bollards and barriers as well as new signage.
“This project is as a result of the vision and dedication of Al MacPherson, our trail volunteer (and) executive director who recently passed away,” says John Hagarty, acting executive director of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association, in a media release.
MacPherson, a longtime environmentalist and trail advocate, professor at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay and Haliburton, and teacher at Trent University, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 at his home on June 12 of a natural cause.
A celebration of MacPherson’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 22nd at the Auk’s Lodge on the Sir Sandford Fleming Campus in Lindsay. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.
“These improvements will ensure children, youth and seniors will have a safe and accessible space for their daily activities,” Hagarty says about the trail upgrade. “This asset is now an integral part of this growing community. Our thanks to our funders who have made this trail enhancement possible. The ongoing support and partnership is much appreciated.”
An official celebration of the trail upgrade will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28th at the trail access point west of Sturgeon Road North (just north of Elm Street East in Omemee).
Local dignitaries, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association members, affiliates, and a knowledge keeper from Curve Lake First Nation will commemorate and celebrate the trail upgrade, including with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In the case of rain, the celebration will move indoors to Coronation Hall at 1 King Street West in Omemee.
The entire Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, which stretches 53.8 kilometres from Simcoe Road south of Manilla to Fowlers Corners, is maintained by volunteers who rely on donations, government funding, and sponsorships for maintenance, enhancements, and promotion.
For more information about the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, including how to donate or become a volunteer, visit www.ktct.ca.
