Pavilion, rest stop coming to trail near Woodlawn Road bridge

The pavilion and rest area will encourage residents to use the canal land trail for exercise and leisure

North Welland Business Improvement Area (BIA) is funding a pavilion and rest area near the Woodlawn Road bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.

The BIA is making a one-time $61,539 gift to the city to build a 23.9-square-metre pavilion on a concrete pad, with an accessible concrete pathway, one picnic table and two benches.

The square structure will be on the north side of the bridge near a pathway connecting Welland Canals Parkway Trail to Woodlawn Road.

Ward 2 Coun. David McLeod said he is excited to see the project come forward and credited now-chief administrative officer Rob Axiak, the former community services director, and Dave Steven, the city’s manager of parks, forestry, cemeteries, operations and development, for their work on the project with North Welland BIA.

The BIA catchment area is along Niagara Street from Thorold Road north to Woodlawn Road and surrounding side streets, and from Seaway Mall north to Merritt Road.

“This is a much-needed facility along the (recreational) canal and a great thing for the BIA to be a part of,” said McLeod during a recent city council meeting.

Ward 4 Couns. Bryan Green and Tony DiMarco said they look forward to when the pavilion is built and that something like it is needed alongside the trail, which connects Port Colborne to Port Dalhousie.

A plaque recognizing the BIA’s contribution will be installed on the structure when complete, said a report from Steven.

His report said the pavilion and rest area will encourage residents to use the canal land trail for exercise and leisure and create a more enjoyable experience for trail users, increasing the likelihood users will frequent the area.

It could also become a landmark along the canal trail, attracting visitors and tourists, and enhance the overall appeal of the BIA as a destination for retailers and consumers.