RM of De Salaberry planning to construct a trail head along Hwy #59 for the Trans Canada Trail
Written by Lexi Olifirowich Sunday, Jan 22 2023, 5:00 AM
The Rural Municipality of De Salaberry has plans to build a new trail head for the Trans Canada Trail/Crow Wing Trail.
The trail is used often by local residents in the area, and the RM hopes to increase trail use with the new trail head.
The trail head will be right along Highway #59 and across from St. Malo Provincial Park.
Reeve of De Salaberry Darrel Cure says the new trail head would bring more visibility to the Crow Wing Trail, which is the part of the national Trans Canada Trail that runs from Emerson to Winnipeg.
“It also is a great way for the community to use a brownfield site which has been cleaned up by the community and turn it into a space that everyone can enjoy.”
There are currently no rest areas along this portion of the trail that have washrooms or a place to rest, so this trail head would help fix that.
“The area would have parking spaces for 12 vehicles, an electric car charging area, washrooms, benches, and picnic tables.”
He goes on to say it would also have deer statues, an aspen grove, maple trees, interpretive signage, sculptural lights, a timber frame arbor, a children’s play area, a small kiosk, and a staging area.
He says the RM of De Salaberry has been planning the project for a number of years.
“The municipality purchased the 1-acre property in 2017 with the intention of turning the area into a community greenspace.”
Then in November of 2020, HTFC Planning & Design was hired to prepare a concept plan.
“An electric car charging station was installed in 2021. Currently, the municipality is completing interpretive panels and wayfinding signs for the site.”
They are hoping the project will be completed within two years, and they have a project budget of just over $800,000.
“The municipality has been working hard to raise funds to transform this area into a beautiful community space where everyone is welcome.”
Reeve Cure notes a portion of the funds has already been raised and set aside.
“The RM has also applied for the Building Sustainable Communities Grant as well as the Trans Canada Trail for funding for this project. We are hoping to receive approval in 2023. We also anticipate some donations in kind for the landscaping grading.”
Check back for updates on the progress of this exciting project!
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