Millennium Trail section gets go ahead
A section of the Millennium Recreation Trail between Lundy’s Lane and Royal Manor Drive will soon be built.
A $283,500 contract was awarded this week by Niagara Falls city council.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-October, and be completed by next spring.
Coun. Wayne Campbell, a proponent of the trail, said the approval is just one more step towards completing the entire trail system.
“It’s going to provide a recreational opportunity for the residents of our community,” he said, adding it’s also going to tie into other natural areas.
“There is a core group of tourists out there that’s looking for that type of attraction. It’s a pathway through the city, it encourages active participation.”
The trail system was first established in 2000 with the primary purpose of providing an accessible off-road, multi-purpose link traversing the urban area of the city.
Council directed staff to advance the design and construction of the section earlier this year.
The contract, awarded to Stevensville Lawn Service, which was the lowest bidder, will include site grading, a paved asphalt trail, new fencing along the Ontario Power Generation Hydro Canal, drainage improvements, landscaping, and park furnishings.
A public meeting took place in April at the Gale Centre to gather public input about the section. Approximately 175 people attended.
Residents who back onto and live across the street from all Millennium Trail sections were notified of the meeting, said staff.
The public process also included a short survey posted to the city’s website.
There is a core group of tourists out there that’s looking for that type of attraction. It’s a pathway through the city, it encourages active participation.” Coun. Wayne Campbell
The majority of people who completed the survey were in favour of completing the section, said staff. Out of 170 surveys, 122 (73 per cent) support building the section, while 46 were against.
Comments supporting the trail included health benefits, linked trail system, encourage people to get outside, and active transportation.
Comments against the trail included waste of money, focus on repairing roads and infrastructure, garbage and vandalism, wildlife destruction, privacy concerns for residents, safety, and decrease in property values.
A public information session was then held in July to gather further feedback from residents living in the area. On-site meetings were arranged with interested homeowners to discuss any concerns they had regarding security, access, landscaping, and maintenance standards.
The first section of the trail was constructed in 2000 between Oakwood Drive and Lundy’s Lane.
The trail utilizes the OPG hydro canal corridor, which runs north-south through the city.
Two other sections have been built in the last 16 years – the Paisley Janvary-Pool section in 2012, which is 1.4 kilometres and runs between Morrison Street to Thorold Stone Road, and the Niagara Falls Lions Legacy Trail in 2015, which is 1.2 kilometres and runs from Thorold Stone Road, at Stanley Avenue, and travels north to Whirlpool Road.