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Lanark’s Medical Officer of Health has come out in favour of a paved trail through Almonte with a ban on motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.
In a letter to Lanark County Council dated March 21, Dr. Paula J. Stewart writes she “strongly support(s)” the proposal from Mississippi Mills Council to keep the trail motor-free.
“A paved trail is the preferred surface for the more vulnerable population (better for cycling, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, people with varying physical and mental abilities),” writes Stewart, whose own daughter has physical and intellectual disabilities and has special permission to ride her adult tricycle on the sidewalks in Perth.
“People with slow reaction times whether due to hearing, vision or mobility problems, physical or intellectual disabilities or health problems will benefit from the safety of not having motorized vehicles on the trail while they are there,” she writes.
Lanark County bought the former CP rail line in 2017 for $100,000. The renamed Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) is set to become a pathway for snowmobiles and ATVs, part of a network of trails that runs across Renfrew County, through Lanark County to Smiths Falls.
But the township of Mississippi Mills is fighting to force snowmobiles and ATVs onto a bypass around the town, reserving the two-kilometre stretch through Almonte and the former railway bridge across the Mississippi River for pedestrians, skiers and cyclists.
“I strongly support the proposed Mississippi Mills Council Plan to make the trail more accessible in Almonte Ward,” Stewart writes. “Municipalities have a unique, valuable contribution to promote healthy people in healthy communities. Creating a more accessible trail will provide an opportunity for more people to be physically active, enjoy the health benefits of being in nature, share time with friends and family, and be connected to community resources.”
Related
Lanark County plans to resurface the trail with gravel and install guardrails on the railway bridge, which is currently fenced off for safety reasons. Opponents say the gravel is unsuitable for bikes, strollers and wheelchairs and complain that the snowmobiles and ATVs will be too noisy for home and condo owners along the trail.
Advocates say the trail will bring business to the town and makes crossing the river safer for snowmobiles.
Mississippi Mills’ bypass proposal is to be voted on Wednesday night at Lanark’s Economic Development Committee and, if it passes, will have a final vote at County Council on Wednesday, April 11.
Mississippi Mills Mayor Shaun McLaughlin said Stewart’s letter is a powerful support for the town’s compromise proposal, but is only one of about 350 letters and emails of support sent to county councillors.
Even so, McLaughlin is not sure the township has swayed enough councillors to win Wednesday’s vote. A final recorded vote at County Council, however, is weighted by population and Mississippi Mills’ two votes are the most heavily weighted.
“She (Stewart) is a very strong voice because she often comes before the county to speak about various health and safety issues,” McLaughlin said. “That can’t hurt us. Whether it will tip the vote, I can’t be sure. Right now, it’s very, very close.”
bcrawford@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/getBAC
查看原文...
In a letter to Lanark County Council dated March 21, Dr. Paula J. Stewart writes she “strongly support(s)” the proposal from Mississippi Mills Council to keep the trail motor-free.
“A paved trail is the preferred surface for the more vulnerable population (better for cycling, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, people with varying physical and mental abilities),” writes Stewart, whose own daughter has physical and intellectual disabilities and has special permission to ride her adult tricycle on the sidewalks in Perth.
“People with slow reaction times whether due to hearing, vision or mobility problems, physical or intellectual disabilities or health problems will benefit from the safety of not having motorized vehicles on the trail while they are there,” she writes.
Lanark County bought the former CP rail line in 2017 for $100,000. The renamed Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) is set to become a pathway for snowmobiles and ATVs, part of a network of trails that runs across Renfrew County, through Lanark County to Smiths Falls.
But the township of Mississippi Mills is fighting to force snowmobiles and ATVs onto a bypass around the town, reserving the two-kilometre stretch through Almonte and the former railway bridge across the Mississippi River for pedestrians, skiers and cyclists.
“I strongly support the proposed Mississippi Mills Council Plan to make the trail more accessible in Almonte Ward,” Stewart writes. “Municipalities have a unique, valuable contribution to promote healthy people in healthy communities. Creating a more accessible trail will provide an opportunity for more people to be physically active, enjoy the health benefits of being in nature, share time with friends and family, and be connected to community resources.”
Related
- Peace and quiet vs. ATVs and snowmobiles: Almonte squares off with Lanark County over trail use
- Compromise proposed for contentious recreational trail through Almonte
Lanark County plans to resurface the trail with gravel and install guardrails on the railway bridge, which is currently fenced off for safety reasons. Opponents say the gravel is unsuitable for bikes, strollers and wheelchairs and complain that the snowmobiles and ATVs will be too noisy for home and condo owners along the trail.
Advocates say the trail will bring business to the town and makes crossing the river safer for snowmobiles.
Mississippi Mills’ bypass proposal is to be voted on Wednesday night at Lanark’s Economic Development Committee and, if it passes, will have a final vote at County Council on Wednesday, April 11.
Mississippi Mills Mayor Shaun McLaughlin said Stewart’s letter is a powerful support for the town’s compromise proposal, but is only one of about 350 letters and emails of support sent to county councillors.
Even so, McLaughlin is not sure the township has swayed enough councillors to win Wednesday’s vote. A final recorded vote at County Council, however, is weighted by population and Mississippi Mills’ two votes are the most heavily weighted.
“She (Stewart) is a very strong voice because she often comes before the county to speak about various health and safety issues,” McLaughlin said. “That can’t hurt us. Whether it will tip the vote, I can’t be sure. Right now, it’s very, very close.”
bcrawford@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/getBAC
查看原文...
