Council hears updated plan for cohesive walkable connections

LAURIE WEIR

A more connected and engaging trail system is in the works for Smiths Falls, as council has adopted three new planning documents aimed at improving access to green spaces across the community.

Stephanie Clark, director of community services, presented the Parks and Open Space Connectivity Guide, Trail Standards Plan, and Connected Trails Implementation Plan to council in April — all tied to the town’s strategic priority of creating engaging green spaces through a connected trail network.

“This is about more than trails,” Clark noted in her report. “It’s about building a healthier, more inclusive and vibrant community. We’re looking at improving recreation, tourism, accessibility and placemaking across the town.”

She said the plans reflect public and council feedback from her April presentation.

Together, the three documents outline a five-year phased approach to identifying gaps, improving trail linkages, enhancing accessibility, and adding key amenities. The total projected cost is $1.285 million, with funding expected through municipal contributions and provincial and federal grants.

Projects include connecting neighbourhoods to parks, schools, and downtown, with an eye on sustainability and inclusivity. The plans also align with the town’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Clark said the documents were developed with input from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Parks Canada, Cataraqui Trail Conservancy, Trans Canada Trail, and tourism staff.

As demand grows for more walkable and bikeable routes in Smiths Falls, Clark said this work lays the groundwork for a greener, more accessible future.

TRAILHEAD QUESTIONS

Coun. Jennifer Miller raised questions about the current parking lot on Lombard Street serving the Cataraqui Trail, which she understood to be a temporary solution.

“This particular report still leads me to believe that we’re investing in that space. I wonder if we can reword that because I still would like the opportunity for us to have a conversation about where the best location is for an ultimate trailhead or whether there’s two of them.”

Miller also expressed concern about timing in relation to other priorities.

“And I understand that hasn’t changed. I just want to register my concern there.”

She said she’d like to have a bigger discussion about what the entire trail system might look like.

“I’d like to have a visioning discussion; a big picture of what this will all look like,” she said. “I think those trailheads are going to be an important piece.”

Clark said the current trailhead and the broader trail network are two different items.

“The trailhead we were speaking about two weeks ago is remaining in a temporary situation until such time we understand the patterns and whether or not we want to invest. The intention is not to commit council between now and the future to adding washrooms and water stations … unless it makes sense and if there’s money. There are a number of aspirational pieces. There would be a number of conversations before we invest in infrastructure to make it less temporary.”

She said they are waiting on the Official Plan and “other pieces to come to fruition.”

“There’s something bigger, there’s something better and there’s something that’s going to take a lot more time to consider,” Clark said. “It’s not that we haven’t had it on the docket for consideration, but I think we need to understand how we’re going to get those trails into town, to figure out where we’re going to put them.”

Clark said the Memorial Community Centre could be a logical place for trail convergence.

“As it already is a zone of recreation. But at the same time, maybe that’s not the space and that would be a conversation for the community to have in the next few months, maybe 2026.”

She added this may be a longer-term project.

“This is possibly a 10-year plan. I want to manage expectations,” she said. “I don’t think we can have a really nice trailhead facility before 2026 is over, but I think we can start making those aspirations come to fruition.”

“There is an opportunity at the memorial community centre to bring some synergies in terms of recreation,” she added, “but also coalesce those ideas and get people in so we can use the space more effectively that we have.”

Clark said they need to view the trailhead and the trail plan as separate.

“We’ll continue with this one for now as the Cat Trail is really excited from what I understand, but that other piece is that bigger picture stuff.”

MOVING FORWARD

Mayor Shawn Pankow said he supports the plans overall.

“I think it gives us a map to going forward and focus on the areas that are growth priorities … but at this time it’s important to create a space to support the Cat Trail.”

He noted the report contains a lot of detail and direction.

“There is a lot of information in the report,” he said, “and a lot of direction. But in the end, the plan that we need to support and endorse to enable staff to move ahead and look for the grant opportunities and to seek a path forward.”

Coun. Chris McGuire suggested improvements including lighting, a hard surface, and winter maintenance. He said he’d like to see lighting similar to what’s in the town square, and added:
“They shouldn’t have to do an environmental assessment unless it was necessary as it’s a trail, not a major structure project.”

Pankow said accessibility, drainage, and working with Parks Canada — particularly along canal properties — are all things to consider.

“How do we balance all of these needs and come up with something that is suitable,” he asked.

Clark agreed that striking that balance is key.

“It means that we’re compliant in terms of regulations and we’re also having conversations with those on the accessibility advisory committee and making sure that Parks Canada is in early. We’ve got some good relationships forging with them. I have hope with those conversations moving forward,” she said.

“We may not be able to hit all of the marks,” Clark added. “To have the highest ability for accessibility would be very expensive and I think it’s out of our price range but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for it and it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for it and look for funding for it.”

She said the town is in a strong position to aim high.

“We have the opportunity to aim high and achieve the best we can. We have the desire, the hope and the capacity to do that right now.”

Pankow added that the plan is intended to guide future work, not limit decision-making.

The mayor noted this is a guide and not prescriptive of what council can or can’t do as they move the file forward.