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This article was published 24/09/2021 (1687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail will soon be able to welcome a new addition to the historic pathway because of provincial funding and support from Trails Manitoba.
“I think what it really is an opportunity for us to utilize and enjoy one of the nature parts of the trail,” said Jim Robson, deputy mayor of Headingley.
“As you know the Grand Trunk Trail is an abandoned rail line, but the new trail, the money is allowing us to create a nature walk through some of the natural habitat which is just off to the south side of the trail.”
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association has received $39,200 to go towards a newly planned scenic walking trail. Diana Juchnowski, the chair of the association’s board said the new project will offer something for everyone.
“This part of our trail now goes through forest, tall grass prairie, wetlands and an Aspen forest so it’s going to be a different experience than our original trail,” Juchnowski said.
“There will be amenities, a playground, seating, picnic areas, lots of stuff for kids to do and the potential for cross country skiing in the winter. We’re quite excited about it and we’re really thrilled for this part of our project. The money from Trails Manitoba is certainly going to help.”
Divided into a few phases, Juchnowski said the original planners planned for the scenic walking trail to cost up to $400,000 dollars so the committee is taking its time planning in small manageable chunks. Juchnowski, a 20 year veteran on the committee said there are three projects planned for the first phase which may take up to two years to complete.
“The first project is the new trail, it’s really the backbone of everything else,” Juchnowski said.
“The second project in terms of was funding was bundled as the nature playground and interpretive signage. We’ve already hired someone to do that project and they will be planning the project over the winter and ready for construction in spring. The third project is the shade structure and we do not have funding at the moment for that.”
Robson is thrilled by the work the HGTTA has overseen in developing the new trail system and believes the new nature playground and a variety in the types of nature found on a walkthrough will bring even more people outside.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal opportunity for fitness,” Robson said.
“There’s going to be a fitness area, rest area, and all in all, it’ll make the whole trail a very enjoyable experience for young and old. The money has gone a long way to enhance the trail and give people the opportunity to get outdoors and see nature at its finest.”
Erik Dickson, president of the Trails Manitoba board said the support received from the province over the last year and a half has been tremendous to kick start new projects across Manitoba.
“In total there was 10 million dollars in funding through various funds that were committed to Trails Manitoba and trail projects across the whole province,” Dickson said.
“It’s a way we can help all those trail groups and municipalities, everyone with a $1,000 trail project all the way up to hundreds of thousands of dollar trail construction projects. We’re able to activate a lot of communities this way.”
Dickson said the total budgets of the 35 projects recently approved for provincial funding is close to $3.64 million dollars and noted how the HGTTA is setting a precedent for future trail development.
“The backbone of trails in Manitoba is the volunteers and its trail groups like Headingley Grand Trunk Trail and many others in the province,” Dickson said.
“They have a great story in Headingley and I can’t wait to see it.”
For Juchnowski, seeing so many of her community members access the trail during this pandemic has reinforced her committee’s efforts to build a great pathway for all going forward.
“Coming out of the pandemic I think people are going to need places to rejuvenate their mental health and relax,” Juchnowski said.
The HGTTA’s next focus alongside the trail will be a restoration of tall grass prairies near the original path, and lobbying for a safe crossing of the Perimeter Highway between the HGTT and the Harte Trail in Charleswood.
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail will soon be able to welcome a new addition to the historic pathway because of provincial funding and support from Trails Manitoba.
“I think what it really is an opportunity for us to utilize and enjoy one of the nature parts of the trail,” said Jim Robson, deputy mayor of Headingley.
“As you know the Grand Trunk Trail is an abandoned rail line, but the new trail, the money is allowing us to create a nature walk through some of the natural habitat which is just off to the south side of the trail.”
JOSEPH BERNACKI
Sept. 22, 2021 - Diana Juchnowski (right) and Joan Spice, are two of Headingley's Grand Trunk Trail Association committee members. Both women have been instrumental in developing ideas for their new scenic pathway. (JOSEPH BERNACKI/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association has received $39,200 to go towards a newly planned scenic walking trail. Diana Juchnowski, the chair of the association’s board said the new project will offer something for everyone.
“This part of our trail now goes through forest, tall grass prairie, wetlands and an Aspen forest so it’s going to be a different experience than our original trail,” Juchnowski said.
“There will be amenities, a playground, seating, picnic areas, lots of stuff for kids to do and the potential for cross country skiing in the winter. We’re quite excited about it and we’re really thrilled for this part of our project. The money from Trails Manitoba is certainly going to help.”
Divided into a few phases, Juchnowski said the original planners planned for the scenic walking trail to cost up to $400,000 dollars so the committee is taking its time planning in small manageable chunks. Juchnowski, a 20 year veteran on the committee said there are three projects planned for the first phase which may take up to two years to complete.
“The first project is the new trail, it’s really the backbone of everything else,” Juchnowski said.
“The second project in terms of was funding was bundled as the nature playground and interpretive signage. We’ve already hired someone to do that project and they will be planning the project over the winter and ready for construction in spring. The third project is the shade structure and we do not have funding at the moment for that.”
Robson is thrilled by the work the HGTTA has overseen in developing the new trail system and believes the new nature playground and a variety in the types of nature found on a walkthrough will bring even more people outside.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal opportunity for fitness,” Robson said.
“There’s going to be a fitness area, rest area, and all in all, it’ll make the whole trail a very enjoyable experience for young and old. The money has gone a long way to enhance the trail and give people the opportunity to get outdoors and see nature at its finest.”
Erik Dickson, president of the Trails Manitoba board said the support received from the province over the last year and a half has been tremendous to kick start new projects across Manitoba.
“In total there was 10 million dollars in funding through various funds that were committed to Trails Manitoba and trail projects across the whole province,” Dickson said.
JOSEPH BERNACKI
Sept. 22, 2021 - This part of the new scenic pathway will lead to the planned site for the future nature playground expected to be completed next year. (JOSEPH BERNACKI/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
“It’s a way we can help all those trail groups and municipalities, everyone with a $1,000 trail project all the way up to hundreds of thousands of dollar trail construction projects. We’re able to activate a lot of communities this way.”
Dickson said the total budgets of the 35 projects recently approved for provincial funding is close to $3.64 million dollars and noted how the HGTTA is setting a precedent for future trail development.
“The backbone of trails in Manitoba is the volunteers and its trail groups like Headingley Grand Trunk Trail and many others in the province,” Dickson said.
“They have a great story in Headingley and I can’t wait to see it.”
For Juchnowski, seeing so many of her community members access the trail during this pandemic has reinforced her committee’s efforts to build a great pathway for all going forward.
“Coming out of the pandemic I think people are going to need places to rejuvenate their mental health and relax,” Juchnowski said.
The HGTTA’s next focus alongside the trail will be a restoration of tall grass prairies near the original path, and lobbying for a safe crossing of the Perimeter Highway between the HGTT and the Harte Trail in Charleswood.
