by
simon.fuller@canstarnews.com
( CANSTAR Community News,
Winnipeggers will soon get the chance to become
even more connected. June 4 is Trails Day, when there will be six multi-use
trail events for individuals to explore across the city throughout the
day.
One brand
new trail will be Bishop Grandin Trail West — a five-kilometre route that runs
west from the Red River at Bishop Grandin Boulevard to McGillivray Boulevard.It
was funded by all three levels of government under the banner of the Manitoba
Rural Infrastructure Fund.
A key
event organizer says the new trail — which is also part of the Trans Canada
Trail system — will help bring communities in southwest Winnipeg together. "This
new trail is a stellar example of community connectivity," said
Lukes,
who lives in St. Norbert, said the trail links the communities of University
Heights, Waverley Heights, Waverley West, Linden Ridge and Whyte Ridge. On
Trails Day, the new route will be showcased by the four-kilometre Cycle Tour —
FortWhyte Alive to Crampton’s Market, during which participants will get a
guided tour of FWA before continuing on the trail for a trip to the
market.
Erin
Crampton, who co-owns and operates Crampton’s Market with her partner, Marc
DeGagne, is excited about the new trail — not least because she hopes it will
improve safety for local cyclists and pedestrians. "I’ve seen our customers, including
mothers with young kids, dodging traffic when they cross the intersection at
Bishop and Waverley," said Crampton, who lives in Waverley Heights. "I’m too
scared to cycle on these routes. So, for me, the new pathway is absolutely
necessary. There are the road warriors, who will nudge their way through traffic
on their bikes. But for the rest of us, the new trail will make it safe and
easy, which is lovely."
When
event participants arrive at Crampton’s Market, they can expect to find a
selection of locally grown produce, dry goods and baked goods, as well as the
chance to score goody bags and receive bicycle and sports therapy advice from
various organizations.
"There
will be a whole bunch of local food producers and we’ll also be giving out swag
bags. People will get a rewards card and receive a sticker at every station they
visit. When they get five, they can collect a bag," Crampton
said.
Other
Trail Day events will include Harte Trail’s Paw Trek and Dog Show, which starts
at Oakdale Street and Ridgewood Avenue in Charleswood and Discover Transcona’s
Many New Trails, which begins at the Transcona Historical Museum on Regent
Avenue West.
Crampton’s Market is located at 1765 Waverley St. For more information, and downloadable maps, visit www.winnipegtrails.com.
Janice Lukes
Manager, Special
Projects - Winnipeg
Trails
Rivers West Red River Corridor
Inc.
235-614 Des Meurons
Street
Winnipeg, MB R2H
2P9
Cell (204)
952-4222
Fax (204) 237-4618
jlukes@riverswest.ca
www.WinnipegTrails.ca
Member of City of Winnipeg Active
Transportation Advisory Committee
Chair, Province of
Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group