New trailhead in Penetanguishene officially opens June 15

One of the many animals who live along the trail. | MidlandToday file photos

From MidlandToday, June 6, 2022
NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF PENETANGUISHENE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
TRANS CANADA TRAIL
TOWNSHIP OF TINY

The Town of Penetanguishene is kicking off Trails Month with the opening of a new trailhead on Overhead Bridge Road, a beautiful section of the Trans Canada Trail that joins Penetanguishene with Tiny Township.

Join Penetanguishene, Tiny, Simcoe County and members of the Trans Canada Trail for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new formal trailhead, June 15 at 11:30 a.m.

Location: Overhead Bridge Trail, corner of Overhead Bridge Road and Robert Street West, Penetanguishene.

This project dates back to 2017, when the Penetanguishene Trails Strategy identified the access point at the corner of Overhead Bridge Road and Robert Street West as a vital entrance to trail activity in the community. Residents and visitors can agree that the parking area for the community’s most popular trail could not uphold the amount of trail users it was servicing.

In 2020, Penetanguishene staff were successful in applying for grant funding from the Trans Canada Trail and the County of Simcoe to fund the required trail upgrades. In addition to the grants, a contribution from the Township of Tiny was received in order to complete this project. Previous funding had been provided by the Trans Canada Trail in partnership with the town in 2019 to complete the required engineering designs for construction.

The new trailhead is located next to the Overhead Bridge Road tunnel, which provides access to the Tiny Trail and the Penetanguishene Trail. The event will celebrate recent upgrades, including the parking area expansion, drainage upgrades to improve the quality of the trail in the surrounding area, and creation of a formal trailhead.

“Like many Residents, I frequently utilize the Trans Canada Trail network. As the mayor of Penetanguishene, I am honoured to congratulate staff on receiving grants from the County of Simcoe and the Trans Canada Trail towards the completion of the long-awaited trailhead upgrades. This trail helps to further connect our community with our surrounding municipalities and promotes outdoor recreation and healthy living choices in our own backyard.” — Mayor Doug Leroux, Town of Penetanguishene

“The county is proud to support the construction of this trailhead, which provides access to the Tiny Trail and the Penetanguishene Trail. Since 2009, the Trails Connecting Communities Program has provided over $750,000 in funding to local municipalities to assist in the completion of 32 trails and active transportation projects, including $80,000 to Tiny Township and $60,000 to the Town of Penetanguishene. This 50/50 matching agreement supports municipalities in funding trails and active transportation projects that provide residents with healthy and enjoyable recreation, as well as a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and safe method of transportation.” — Warden George Cornell

“This joint trail project demonstrates our combined efforts and commitment to bridging communities. Exploring opportunities for our communities to participate in physical activity in a natural outdoor setting is at the heart of why we are here today,” said Cornell, who is also mayor of Township of Tiny. “We are pleased to work with municipal and community partners in order to provide first-class outdoor opportunities for residents, as well as tourists and visitors who come to enjoy the views and natural wonders at every turn on the Trans Canada Trail.”

“Trans Canada Trail is proud to support the Town of Penetanguishene, Township of Tiny and County of Simcoe in their trail projects, and we celebrate their tremendous dedication to expanding and improving their trails. The Trans Canada Trail network would not be what it is without the commitment of the local trail groups we partner with. National in scope and local in execution, Trans Canada Trail collaborates with provincial and territorial partners and over 500 local trail operators across the country, who are instrumental in the Trail’s past, current and future development.” — Eleanor McMahon, president and CEO, Trans Canada Trail

Read the article here