Rotary Greenway Trail Lightning Project Officially Launched

As part of Bike Month in Peterborough, the Rotary Greenway Trail Lighting Project has launched thanks to several private-sector funds on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Tom Bennett of Stoneguide Realty, Scott Wood of Ashburnham Ale House, Dan Grady, C.E.O., Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, Scott Murison, co-founder of Wild Rock Outfitters and Chris Woods of Barry Electric were project funders or contributors of the project. Several cheque presentations were held at the event by these donors. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Scott Wood, Ashburnham Ale House owner, spearheaded the project as a frequent user of the trail. The project will provide lighting on the trail from Hunter Street to Douro Street. His business is located right next to the trail which is visible to patio customers.

“I use the trail a lot,” said Wood. “I can’t believe how busy the trail is. “Many residents and visitors use this section of trail for evening walks, bike rides and commutes for groceries and other purposes. By providing lighting, people will be able to use the trail more comfortably after dark.”

Cyclists, walkers, roller skaters and dog-walking are some of the uses the citizens of Peterborough have to the multi-purpose trail. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project started with a community engagement session in 2019, followed by City Council endorsement of the project in May of 2020. 

The LED lighting is being installed by Barry Electric with expected completion at the end of July.

The event was hosted by Sue Sauve, City of Peterborough transportation demand management planner with Councillor Keith Riel present to accept donations from project funders.

“We are getting an increasing number of requests from people to have the trail lit, said Sauve. “When they’re lit, it makes it a lot more comfortable for people to use them after dark. The City has a standard now where if we’re building a brand new trail, we’re providing lightning on the trail.”

Scott Wood (left) and Sue Sauve (right) posing at a boulder which is the site for a commemorative plaque to be placed in honour of the trail’s lighting system. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Along with Wood, the project is funded by the Village Business Improvement Area, Shimano Canada, Stoneguide Realty, Wild Rock Outfitters and the trail founder, the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. All of them were present to give cheques for the trail’s funding.

This is the second trail lighting donation the City has been gifted. In 2017, the City received an anonymous donation to light the Rotary Greenway Trail link from Water Street to the main trail, just east of the intersection of Water Street and Hilliard Street.

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Local Philanthropists Leading Two Projects To Improve And Expand City of Peterborough Trail Network

Scott Wood, a local entrepreneur and owner of the Ashburnham Ale House, has initiated a project to provide lighting along the Rotary Greenway Trail between Hunter Street and Douro Street. This trail is unlit, and many people use this section at night. 

“As someone who loves to walk and cycle, I think it’s great to see so many people using the trails,” Wood says. “Lighting improves their safety and extends the time that people feel safe using the trails. I am excited to be leading this project.”

Wood and the Village (East City) BIA are kickstarting the project by contributing about half of the $50,000 cost of the project. They are hoping that others will donate to round out the project needs. Tax receipts are available for donations made to this project, which can be made online on the City of Peterborough website.  

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

In addition, Haig Kelly and Barron Cowan are funding construction of a new trail through Roper Park in Peterborough’s West End. A formal connection between Roper Drive and Firwood Drive will allow people to get from one neighbourhood to the other more easily.

The trail will also connect to Parkhill Road near the access to the TransCanada Trail, the closest trail for people living in these neighbourhoods. The trail will be paved so that it can be maintained in the winter, knowing that neighbourhood and trail connections are used year-round.

Many local trails have been built and supported by Kelly and Cowan, including the Parkway Trail, Crawford Trail, Rotary Greenway to Lakefield, BEL Rotary Bridgenorth Trail, TransCanada Trail from Lindsay to Peterborough and east to Hastings. The TransCanada Trail Foundation contributed 50% of the cost of the trail east of Peterborough. 

Construction on the new Roper Park Trail is expected to be underway soon, and the Rotary Greenway Trail lighting project will begin once the fundraising is completed.

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