Information session about the Round the River Recreation Trail, held at the Chatham Civic Centre. April 25, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega) Information session about the Round the River Recreation Trail, held at the Chatham Civic Centre. April 25, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Chatham

Clearing Up Trail Misconceptions

The designs are not finished yet for the Round the River Recreation Trail, but the municipality is taking an opportunity to clear up misconceptions.

The first of three public meeting was held earlier this week at the Civic Centre in Chatham to go over the proposed trail.

Genevieve Champagne, coordinator for active transportation and special events, says there seems to be some confusion as to where the trail may be located.

"Some of the misconceptions were that it was going along the river, using people's backyards for the trail, which is not true," says Champagne. "It's all within the road right of way."

The multi-use proposed trail is expected to go around the Thames River west of Chatham, along Grand River Line, and then loop back eastbound on Riverview Line. The proposed trail is also expected to have an extension, going into Pain Court.

Chamagne says they want to have the Pain Court extension as an added bonus for tourists to use during the 2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo. However, there are factors involved if the trail is to be ready for September 2018.

"It all depends on council approval, budget and overall design feasibility," she says.

Champagne adds the project is currently in phase one.

"At this point they're still collecting data and nothing is set in stone," she says. "People believe that the whole project has already been approved by council -- that is not true. The consulting has been approved and phase one."

The project has been split into two phases. Public sessions will be held throughout the year, as the project progresses and designs are made.

The next information meeting is scheduled for May and the third meeting is slated for September.

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