THUNDER BAY – NorthWestrn Ontario Recreational Trails Association (NWORTA) began its newest project after getting the approval from the city to go ahead and get started.
NWORTA volunteers began removing bush and low hanging branches on Sunday in order to extend the existing City of Thunder Bay Trans Canada Trail on Broadway Avenue further west from King Road to Rosslyn Road via 25th Side Road.
Len Day, NWORTA President, said the current trail terminates at Fort William Historical Park.
“What we proposed to the city was to continue the extension of the trail on Broadway Avenue to 25th Side Road and Rosslyn Road.
“That, we hope, will eventually become part of NorthWestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association's plan trail system, which includes encompassing trails that go Thunder Bay West to Atikokan, South to the Minnesota border and then East to Nipigon,” he said.
NWORTA had just recently got approval from the city, Day said.
“Today is the first day. We've got a group of our dedicated volunteers out today and we're going to go and start the work.”
Day said it is the hope to have the work done before snow flies, and said they should be able to complete it within that time.
“The local residents will be able to enjoy the trail and this will actually get them off the road and give them a different option, a safer option, when they're out doing outdoor activities.”
In the times of the pandemic, it was learned there was a big demand for trails, Day said.
“That motivated me to start looking at expanding the Trans Canada Trail System and giving people more options in terms of trails.
“To be able to hike right across Northwestern Ontario on the Trans Canada Trail System, I mean, that's pretty impressive and exciting,” he said.
Day said people will travel across Canada, whether it's cycling, hiking or snowshoeing.
“Our goal is to expand the trail system and give more opportunities for people who want to travel.”
Sunday’s start consisted off volunteers using mostly hand and power tools, Day said.
“Our crew here is going to be pruning brush and cleaning it up.
“We've got a contractor, he has a mini excavator, he's going to come in and he's going to clean the base up and establish the trail itself.”
The target is to have the trail completed by the end of November, Day said.
“Once we get the contractor in here, I think we're looking at maybe seven to 10 days of work and we'll be complete and the trail will be open and ready for use,” he said.
Day said it was very exciting to see the city support the trails.
“We've had great support from most of our area municipalities, the City of Thunder Bay.
“Greg Johnsen, the ward counsellor fully supports it. His mandate is more trails. And the city managers who we got the approvals from, super helpful, super supportive. Everybody's on board with this and everybody's excited to see this come to fruition,” Day said.
For more information or to get involved visit NWORTA on Facebook, or their website.
