THUNDER BAY — Organizers of a proposed recreation trail network between Nipigon, Thunder Bay and Atikokan are reaching out to the public to provide information and answer questions.
The Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association has a five-year plan to develop nearly 500 kilometres of trails for non-motorized purposes using old logging roads or other previously-used routes wherever possible.
Phase one would link Kakabeka Falls to Shabaqua, while the second stage would see a trail developed from Thunder Bay to Kakabeka.
Before NWORTA gets permission to build trail sections on Crown land, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry requires public information sessions to be held.
The first of three meetings takes place Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the O'Connor Community Centre, with meetings to follow on Thursday and on April 25 at the Rosslyn Community Centre in Oliver Paipoonge and the Conmee Community Centre respectively.
Len Day, a lifelong hiker who serves as president of the association, said there's been pushback from some people who had the impression the trails would only be for hiking, cycling, skiing or snowshoeing.
In an interview Monday, he emphasized that berry-pickers, hunters or anglers would also be welcome.
But he said he hopes people who use motorized vehicles respect the purpose of the trails.
"This is meant to be a non-motorized trail. To mix power sports with pedestrian traffic is not a good idea."
While Crown land is free for anyone to use, Day said, he noted that rural municipal councils and private landowners can prohibit them if they choose to do so on any trail sections that don't cross Crown land.
If work permits are issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, volunteers from the association will begin work this year on cutting several trail sections through the bush.
These will each be a kilometre or less in length, and will connect former logging roads or other old routes between Kakabeka Falls and Shabaqua.
Negotiations with private landowners, and with O'Connor Township to use some municipal roads, are continuing.
Day said he hopes residents turn out at the upcoming meetings to learn more about the trail plan.
Information is also available on the Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association website.
