Grey County council is directing its staff to review the use of the CP Rail Trail as it continues to require significant funding and upgrades.
During a council meeting on April 28, a report was brought forward by Intermediate Planner / Forestry – Trails Coordinator Stephanie Lavey-Avon.
The report outlined the existing and future rail trail funding challenges and maintenance expenses.
The report also recommended council to direct staff to explore additional funding options, how the trail is perceived as a recreational asset for non-motorized users, ways to promote the trail as a tourism spot, and to complete further data collection.
Lavey-Avon says this follows a previous report supported by council with the completion of the trail grading and stone dusting project of the remaining 35.5 kilometres of the trial.
The report says given how the overall construction and resource prices have gone up over the past few years, the total tender will cost over $926,000.
Lavey-Avon says over recent years, staff have experienced an increase in requests related to the standard and upkeep of county owned natural assets.
“There is a realized need to further invest in these properties to further enhance the user experience and overall safety. Currently, around 70 per cent of the total forestry and trails budget is currently used for the rail trail budget,” says Lavey-Avon.
The report says the rail trail maintenance include grading and emerging potholes, the gates at every intersection, culvert and bridge infrastructure, and the signs installed last summer.
Staff found that in keeping up with the maintenance for the 77 kilometre trail, over $41,000 was spent for grading and potholes, $2,000 for gates, $103,000 for culverts and bridges, $2,000 for signage, and along with other expenses, cost a total of $180,000.
Comparing it to the Georgian Trail, in which the rail trail is 2.3 times the length of, the 33 kilometre Georgian Trail had over $58,000 in repairs.
The report says county staff have relied on the forest and trails budget to serve as the primary source for maintenance, and rail trail upgrades.
For many years, the county has contracted maintenance and management services to the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA), where they would be relied upon for their expertise and technical background for projects. Staff look to continue this arrangement.
Forest and trails staff have also been working with County Transportation Services to support general rail trail culvert and bridge maintenance efforts.
In recent discussions, staff have come to the conclusion there would be a benefit in connecting to and facilitating volunteer efforts, focusing on general trail maintenance and upkeep with established groups, and encouraging individual participation.
Such drew a comparison to the adopt a road and stewardship programs, where volunteers pick up litter along county roadsides. The report says these opportunities give people an understanding and offer to assist with recreational assets.
West Grey Mayor and County Coun. Christine Robinson says, “I look at the adopt a trail and stewardship program, looking forward to that being further developed and having a really great initiative that can support the maintenance and educational component of the CP Rail Trail.”
Staff have also been looking at a potential memorial tree program to assist with planting efforts of publicly owned lands as a way of paying tribute to, and remembering a loved one. The program would not be for profit.
Additional funding options will be explored and looked at, while continuing existing partnerships. Staff also seek to connect with trail users to understand what people think of the safety of the trail, which may be completed via a survey, interviews, or other methods.