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Students pumped by new bike trail

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/25/students-pumped-as...

A GUIDANCE councillor’s vision of a bicycle trail near his school was almost too much to handle.

Luke Barr of École Stanley Knowles School set the wheels in motion for a trail to be built after an open field caught his eye on the way to work one morning. But he quickly started to feel defeated when looking into funding and realizing the logistics needed to maintain the trail.

Then, his students got involved. “They really pushed and said, ‘No, keep doing this. We really want this,’” Barr said.

The students got their wish Tuesday as plans for the new Fairgrove Park Community Trail at the Tyndall Park-area school were unveiled at a news conference. The trail will run along the perimeter of Fairgrove Park with construction expected to start next summer. The trail is set to open next fall.

“We need to have a trail here. We need to have a reason for students to bring their bikes to school and have something for the community to use in the evening,” Barr said.

The trail will be funded with $55,000 from the Trails Manitoba grant program, and $100,000 from the city’s land dedication reserve fund. The project is one of 33 recipients for the Trails Manitoba grant this year. Others include a pathway development at the Leaf in Assiniboine Park and enhancing the community trail at Steep Rock.

Max Bundoc, a Grade 8 student at Stanley Knowles, believes the new trail will mean a lot to his school and the community. He credits biking and school programs with becoming more confident in himself.

“I really found out who I am. And because of Mr. Barr, I’ve been able to learn a lot about biking and now I really have something I’m doing in my life,” Bundoc said.

The school offers multiple bike programs for students, including cycling trips to Birds Hill Provincial Park, a bike mechanic program at lunchtime and a bike bus.

Bundoc said he’ll be first in line to use the trail when it opens and will probably spend three hours there on the first day.

“This new bike trail is not just a physical addition to our park, but it’s a symbol of progress, community spirit and a commitment to our children’s future,” said Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos.

The Trail Manitoba grant program dedicates $697,365 annually for trails outside of Winnipeg and $190,000 for trails within the city, a government release stated. With the funding, 36 kilometres of new trails will be built and 600 km will be maintained around the province.

matthew.frank@freepress.mb.camailto:matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca