Thorold is exploring the creation of a multi-use trail that would give residents the option to hike all the way from Pelham to downtown. Senior Planner Katherine Kung from LEA consulting gave a presentation on the project during yesterday’s meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee.
There are two parts to the proposal. For the first part, the city is looking to convert the rail corridor, from Rice Road to Marlatts Road, into a multi-use path. The city is currently conducting a Preliminary Design Study to further the project.
“We are looking at the design to convert the existing gravel rail trail to a multi-use path between Marlatts Road and the border of Pelham, just west of Rice Road,” said Kung. “The trail will generally be three to four metres wide where possible.”
In more restricted parts of the trail, such as the section in the Lake Gibson Corridor, the trail might need to go down to 2.5 metres wide. As part of the design, the city is doing survey work and studying the natural environments, contamination risks, archeology and cultural heritage factors. The city hopes to create a detailed design of the trail this summer.
For the second part of the project, the city is conducting an Environmental Assessment Study to connect Marlatts Road to the Welland Canal Trail. The study will identify the preferred trail connection in the area. There are currently four different options on the table, which will be evaluated based on the recommendation of the city’s Transportation Master Plan.
“The project team is open to all options and will take in consideration any additional trail connections that we receive,” said Kung.
The options range from a multi-use trail along the Welland Canal, to a paved shoulder along Beaverdams Road. There will be a public consultation event on the study in the spring and a detailed design will be initiated in November 2025. To learn more about the project, or to give feedback, head to the city’s Let’s Talk website.