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The project to extend Ganatchio Trail into Tecumseh will have more details in coming months. Meanwhile, a new website – ReThinkTheTrail.ca – says it’s a bad idea.
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For years now, the Town of Tecumseh has been considering the eastward extension of the Ganatchio Trail, so that the popular multi-use path reaches the municipality’s Lakewood Park.
But not everyone is pleased by the idea.
“What you are attempting to do doesn’t necessarily fit with the design of the street, or its residences,” said John Parent, one of the organizers of ReThinkTheTrail.ca — a website designed to focus and promote resistance to the project.
Launched last week, the site describes itself as voicing the concerns of “a grassroots movement made up of regular citizens with a common vision, who care deeply about our community.”
Lawn signs are available for those who agree with the site’s cause.
The group’s arguments against the trail extension centre on how it would affect Riverside Drive. Safety issues, environmental factors, and aesthetics are the chief reasons cited.
Parent said the proposed 2.4-kilometre trail extension would directly impact dozens of residential properties on Riverside Drive, and the new path would have to cross 77 driveways and 12 intersecting streets.
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“By design, our section of Riverside Drive really can’t support a pathway in the style of the existing Ganatchio Trail. It just doesn’t fit,” said Parent, whose home is on Riverside Drive in Tecumseh.
“I want to be very clear: Our group is not against building trails or alternative transportation modes. We support those things in our community — but we want them to be considered with safety in mind.”
Although the website is new, Parent said citizens who share its concerns have been active and raising their complaints about the plan since 2017.
Asked how the municipality has responded, Parent replied: “The Town of Tecumseh has listened to our concerns. Receptive? I don’t know.”
“The alternatives to the plan have not really been shown to the public for consideration.”
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said he’s aware of the movement and the new website, but he insists that improvement of connectivity and enhancement of the town’s pedestrian and cycling environment have long been recognized as strategic priorities.
“Obviously, this project is an important piece of that,” McNamara said. “It’s part of our parks master plan.”
Two information sessions about the trail extension have been held so far. McNamara said the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress on the project, but he expects a report from administration to go before town council soon, possibly in March or April.
Details such as specific geography and costing are still being determined. “In fairness to council, there has not been any type of decision,” McNamara said. “We don’t know what the final project is.”
McNamara said there will be more opportunities for public input. “We have already talked to many groups: Ontario Provincial Police, representatives from the cycling and accessibility communities, and the residents as well,” the mayor said.
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Parent said that if he and others aren’t shown alternatives, the municipality can expect their movement to “become more vocal.”
As for the suggestion that ReThinkTheTrail.ca is an example of ‘not-in-my-backyard’ syndrome, Parent replied: “That’s a naive representation… It’s not a valid argument.”
Parent emphasized that the area of the proposed extension is not like the existing areas of the Ganatchio Trail. “This plan has countless flaws to it. It’s quite clear, once you see it.”
McNamara said he’s not particularly surprised there is resistance to the project, despite the popularity of the Ganatchio Trail, and the overwhelmingly positive reception to the redevelopment of Lakewood Park in 2012.
“Folks are fearful of the unknown,” McNamara said. “You know, 20 or 25 years ago, the same arguments popped up when the trail at St. Clair Beach was built.”
dchen@postmedia.com
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