Friends of the Millennium Trail
Sept. 2017 Newsletter
The Upgrade Project:
Great News:
In the next month or so The County will begin a three year resurfacing project that will see the trail brought up to the Wellington area trail standards as developed by the Rotary Club of Wellington. When finished, our 46 Kilometre Trail will be accessible to users of all ages and mobility capabilities.
Year One: The County is working with Mr. Barry Davidson to manage year one of the main trail upgrade. This should allow us to resurface the trail from Lake Street in Picton (by the LCBO) heading west to the eastern edge the Wellington section of the trail where it crosses HWY 33 (Loyalist Parkway) on the west side of Bloomfield.
The Eco Passage:
Simultaneous with the main trail work, The County will be constructing an Eco Passage section through the Wetlands by Hillier (Hubs Creek etc.) this fall.
*A special thanks to TD Canada Trust for a $15,000 ECO Passage donation.
|
|
** The picture above is an eco-passage representation and not the final design.
Year Two: We are hoping that the trail heading west from the Wellington section to Carrying Place and the trail heading north from Picton (by Cdn.Tire) to HWY 49 can be completed in 2018. These two remaining portions may need to be divided between the two remaining years. Which parts happen when are TBD.
Year three: Will include the balance of the resurfacing work and the addition of Trail signage throughout its length (markers every Kilometre, transitional road markings and crossing signage, extensive directional signage to services and amenities, directional signage to and from the trail and interpretive signage for the Wetlands and historical areas by the trail).
The County has also designated 6 staging areas along the Trail. Though not in the original project scope, we are hoping to start the build out of these areas in 2019. They are to include facilities such as seasonal washrooms, seating, parking and informational Kiosks.
- Novotny Court (Carrying Place)
- Salem Road (Consecon)
- Station Road (Hillier)
- West Street (Wellington) > Existing
- Stanley Street (Bloomfield)
- County Road 49 (Picton)
|
|
Fundraising Drive
Donations: To date we have raised almost $110,000 in public donations, which is $30,000 over and above our commitment to the County of $80,000 ($15K from TD Canada Trust is not included).” WOW”, the response to this project has been unbelievable. I want to personally thank our Fundraising team and all of the donors who share our vision that the Millennium Trail is a Linear Park that, when the resurfacing is finished, will provide a path that joins all of the Hamlets and Towns along its length by providing a thoroughfare for recreation, transportation and economic growth.
Kilometre Markers: One of the most popular aspects of the Fundraising Project has been the Kilometre Marker Sponsorship program. For a $1,000 donation a person, family or business can have their name placed on both sides of a marker for a minimum of 10 years. Sponsors of the markers have included, businesses, neighbours and trail friends from both in and outside of The County. Memorial Markers for passed friends and loved ones have been very touching. Of the 46 Kilometre Markers available for sponsorship there are only 3 left at 5 km, 8 km and 9 km in the Consecon area. The County will issue a Donation Tax Receipt to Sponsors. If you are at all interested please contact us ASAP.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I have seen cars on the trail what should I do?
A: The OPP detachment in Picton asks that you take a picture of the vehicle’s License plate if you can & call them at 613-476-2151 to report the incident.
Q: What Farm vehicles are allowed on the Trail?
A: The Trail Bylaw (Section 4. (6)) states that Farm Tractors and Self-Propelled Implements of Husbandry are allowed.
Q: What is the Speed Limit on the Trail?
A: There are a smattering of confusing speed signs on the trail installed by the County and members of the public. The current Bylaw (Section 6.) states that “within any town, village or hamlet ……. no person shall operate any vehicle in excess of 30K per hour”. For the rest of the trail the speed limit is 50K per hr.
Note: For speed limits to change the Bylaw would need to be changed. This is not on our agenda. We need to educate trail users and build a sense of mutual respect amongst them. Our main focus is to shepherd the Millennium Trail Upgrade Project to its successful completion. Links to the County website are included below.
|
|
Comments:
Once the Upgrade Project is completed we as “Friends of the Millennium Trail” have tasked ourselves with helping to keep the trail in good condition. We will be looking to form local work parties for garbage collection along the trail and to do foliage control that minimises any environmental impact on the Trail’s ecosystem. We also see a resurfaced trail providing us with a great local venue to organise special events for fundraising and to increase neighbourhood involvement in our communities. We will be communicating further as the Trail Project progresses.
** Our next PEC Trail Committee meeting will be held on September 20th – 7 pm at Hillier Town Hall, Please RSVP if you intend to attend.
Patrick “ Bear” Maloney, Chair PEC Trails Committee,
info@pectrails.ca , Info/Donate : www.pectrails.ca
|
|
|
|
