Money For County Trails Announced

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Richard Wyma, Executive Director, Claire Wales, Board Member, Jeff Watson, MP, Essex, Susan Stockwell Andrews, President, Board of Directors and Lindsay Boyd, Board Member,  Ken Schmidt, Past President, Board of Directors (handout photo)

The Federal government today announced $500,000 in funding to complete one of our region’s most anticipated trail projects. The funding, from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, was granted to the Essex Region Conservation Foundation to go towards developing the Essex-Amherstburg Greenway.

The abandoned rail line was first donated to the Foundation for development in 2003. This property stretches 26 kilometres, from the urban centre of Essex, to the Town of Amherstburg and intersects with the existing Chrysler Canada Greenway. A portion of the greenway was completed in 2010, and a fundraising campaign, Trail On!, has been running since 2012 to raise the funds to complete the project.

“It will connect the towns of Essex and Amherstburg to a greater community trail network, including the Chrysler Canada Greenway and municipal trails,” said Richard Wyma, Executive Director. “With dollars invested from the community since 2012, along with federal, municipal, and corporate funding yet to be announced, this will see the Essex-Amherstburg Greenway completed in 2017.” Construction is anticipated to begin in March 2016.

Richard Wyma introduces Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti for Tecumseh’s comments on funding announcement (handout photo)

In addition, the Town of Tecumseh received $400,000 to go towards enhancement of Lakewood Park Trail Network.  Total cost of that project is $800,000.

“We are very appreciative that our proposed project for enhancements at Lakewood Park through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program has been approved. Infrastructure investment partnerships with the Federal Government provide leverage and contribute to successful projects as we work collaboratively to strengthen our communities,” said Mayor McNamara.