Finding trails

Oliver-Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says the rural community is revisiting an old idea to create a bicycle and walking trail system between Fort William Historical Park and Kakabeka Falls.

About two months ago, the municipality was awarded a $35,000 grant from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture to conduct a feasibility study of possible trail systems within the township.

Kloosterhuis told tbnewswatch.com the town just awarded the study contract and she hopes to have the results within a few months.  While not a priority, it would be a real asset to have a trail that connected the two tourism destinations, she said.

“We looked at this project a few years ago and it kind of fell flat at that time,” Kloosterhuis said. “The Canada Trail System is doing (a study) along Lake Superior. When I was at a meeting with them, they were wondering if there was an opportunity to do a study from the old fort to Kakabeka falls. That gave us the idea and we applied for the grant and received it. Now we’re going to see if it is workable.”

When the idea was first discussed, it fell through because they couldn’t find a suitable route. But with a more experienced company looking into the plan, Kloosterhuis said she’s hopeful that they will find a workable path.

Linking the two spots would have a significant impact on the town of Kakabeka Falls, she added.

“We have a lot of people in the municipality who love walking and riding their bikes, but don’t really like doing it on the main road system,” she said. “I think it would be a great, healthy thing for all of us to get into.”

FWHP general manager Sergio Buonocore didn’t know much about the study until recently and said he would be open to the idea to a trail system, but is reserving judgment for the time being.

“It’s a nice idea in principal, but I don’t know anything or haven’t heard anything about this for a number of years,” Buonocore said. “Conceptually it is always great to do something that promotes tourism in our communities. Trails can be very beneficial, but we have to take a look at what the routes could be.”


--- Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter: @Labine_reporter