This is concerning the Trans Canada Trail that is slated be built behind our property. We are very much in favor of the project.
According to the map we were sent, the Trail was slated to run on the East side of the tracks. We were horrified to learn that it now will go on the West side. This will very much impact our property as it affects our security. We have problems with vandalism that our 6’ fence cannot prevent. Stones have been thrown breaking windows etc.
We wonder why the trail could not be built along the River. This is to us would be a more appropriate area instead of along a rail line. The River would lend itself beautifully to a wandering trail. The River is a pivotal part of the The River Run Centre. It could be continued as such.
If it is a matter of money and this is a cheaper way of building the trail, we suggest it wait until it can be done properly. The money to build it will come out of our taxes. Considering the Global situation at the moment that is impacting all of us, we would seriously suggest that the money could be put to better use. How about saving it or heaven forbid give it back to the taxpayers who at this time need it more than a walking trail. JF~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for bringing your comments forward regarding the TCT project. Your comments have been placed in the file for review with my consultant over the course of the next few weeks as we begin to address all the issues as a whole.
As you may or may not be aware, this project has been on the Park Planning Capital Forecast for many, many years. In the past you may have seen preliminary layouts of the trail for discussion, but never anything depicting a true sense of what exists and what maybe possible due to grade and land restrictions.
In the last 8 months, City staff, along with their consultant MMM Group, have ‘walked through’ every possible scenario and alignment possible to ensure a safe, accessible and feasible trail.
Yes, feasibility plays a role in our development of this or any other trail – but I assure you, our main concern for the development of this trail is safety and accessibility.
Unlike any other trail in Guelph, this project has been developed using a Risk and Safety Audit which was provided to us by a third party consultant. Derived by the many guidelines and mandates set out by Transport Canada the trail alignment is ‘set’ and we have few options in the situation we are faced with to ‘move’ the trail. The trail through John Galt Park, next to the River Run Centre is not a good precedents as this was created before the new guidelines came into existence.Working closely with the Guelph Junction Railway, our consultant and many other City staff members, we feel the alignment shown on the panels presented at the Open House, and now on the City of Guelph website, are the most logical. Logical in terms of allowing easy, unobstructed access to the trail from many of the stub roads to the west, such as Mac, Pipe and Tiffany; logical in terms of limiting the number of rail crossings and providing safety measures to ensure interaction with pedestrians and rail movements are kept to a minimum; logical in terms of feasibility by limiting the height and number of retaining walls and other materials along the trails length; logical in terms of keeping the trail within City property and providing the most direct route that trail users will stay on and not deviate onto the rail line.
I must also clarify that this trail is not a tax supported project. All funding for this and many other trails in Guelph come from Developer Build charges (DC Funding). It has taken many years to gather enough funding to move forward with this project as it was always known that many physical barriers would be involved with this project. It was also always known that this is a very desirable north-south link that is in fact being used illegally by dozens of people a day and needs to be formalized before an accident occurs. Hence taking a route along the river is not our first choice – though we will be looking at a secondary, more scenic trail route along the river in future years.
All of this said, we will still be reviewing very carefully your concerns with vandalism. Again, one of our goals is to create a trail system that is safe.
I do want you to know though, problems of vandalism usually occur in areas that are hidden and inaccessible or uncared for. Our hope in creating a formal trail system along the rail corridor is that issues of garbage and vandalism will be addressed properly by the appropriate City staff, including Police Services. With regular garbage pick-up and the presence of police ‘walk-a-bouts’, vandalism will hopefully be reduced.
Also, in all fairness, moving the trail to the east side of the rail, only metres away from the proposed, will not stop someone from throwing a rock or littering if they are so inclined. Designing a safe, accessible and feasible trail will ensure more people will use the trail, be aware of ‘trouble makers’ and use this area sooner – all while other departments such as Police Services and Operations over-see and maintain this land appropriately.I hope my comments have addressed some of your concerns and that you have a bit more understanding of how the trail alignment was derived. I must stress that what has been presented to you is by no means a ‘done deal’ and that staff will be circulating a revised trail layout and the survey results to interested parties and Council in the near future. At that point in time, comments can be presented to Council before a final decision is made and plans for construction move forward. Staff