Committee calls project a ‘roadmap’ but asks for more details on costs, timelines and accessibility standards

LAURIE WEIR

Smiths Falls councillors have offered cautious support for a five-year plan to transform the town’s trail network, but not before requesting edits and clarifications to draft documents presented at the May 12 committee of the whole meeting.

The Creating Engaging Green Spaces through a Connected Trail Network report, presented by Community Services Director Stephanie Clark, outlines a $1.285-million phased plan to expand, connect and improve local trails, focusing on active transportation, accessibility and eco-tourism.

Three key documents — the Trail Standards Plan, Parks and Open Space Connectivity Guide, and Connected Trails Implementation Plan — would serve as the blueprint for the project.

“It’s a roadmap, and I’m happy to support it knowing that this council or the next will ultimately decide the finer details,” said Coun. Jay Brennan, who chaired the meeting. “I support adopting this as a living document.”

Clark told council the plans would finally provide a framework for future upgrades. “The Trail Standards Plan is a working document,” she said. “It’s a guideline to ensure we have a minimum standard of development and maintenance. At this juncture, we don’t really have anything.”

The first phase, starting this year, proposes minor trail repairs, accessible signage and preparation of a parking lot trailhead for the Cataraqui Trail off Highway 15 between the Kia dealership and Leisure Days. Efforts to negotiate shared land for parking with a private developer failed after the company cited plans for future mall expansion.

Coun. Jennifer Miller suggested flipping the schedule to prioritize the trailhead earlier. “Is it possible to reverse some timelines and get that trailhead built first?” she asked.

Clark responded, “Yes, we can. It comes down to timing and money.”

Coun. Chris McGuire raised his concerns. He questioned the draft plan’s lack of detail on trail bottlenecks and pedestrian barriers. “Trying to walk to the train station is a challenge that isn’t addressed,” he said. “The blue arrows in the plan suggest connections, but they don’t tell us what the actual solutions are.”

McGuire also criticized the maps for failing to show whether sidewalks exist on both sides of streets or only one. “That really impacts the pedestrian experience,” he said. He also called for specific project costs to be clearer. “We’re spending $250,000 in 2026 for walkways and signage, but what does that actually buy us?”

On trail surfaces, McGuire strongly recommended setting a hard surface standard. “Crushed stone is not good in the shoulder seasons or after rain,” he said. “If this document is what we’re using to apply for grants, it should say hard surface is our goal. That’s the experience we should be working toward, even if it takes five, 10 or 20 years.”

He also flagged accessibility discrepancies, noting the draft listed trail widths at 1.2 metres instead of the 1.5 metres AODA minimum. “I don’t want to see two trail systems — one for people with mobility issues and another for everyone else,” McGuire said. Clark agreed to correct the widths and grade requirements.

Lighting, winter maintenance and long-term connectivity were also debated. “We need to light the trails,” McGuire said. “People walk after work, and for half the year it’s dark. If we’re rebuilding anyway, let’s add the electrical infrastructure now.”

Clark noted the parks are currently closed between Thanksgiving and Victoria Day and there are no plans or budget for winter trail maintenance.

Mayor Shawn Pankow agreed lighting would be beneficial on popular sections like Lower Reach and Victoria Park.

The plan does not currently address linking the Cataraqui Trail to the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail, something McGuire and others pushed for. “It’s been on the back burner for years,” he said. “It may take some creativity and co-operation with CP Rail, but we have to figure it out.”

Clark said they are already chasing grants, including a $1.5 million application under the federal Active Transportation Fund.

Councillors echoed calls for better lighting and accessibility, saying every trail should be accessible as the standard.

Council voted to move the project forward with amendments to be incorporated before final adoption at an upcoming council meeting.