Ajax — Walking, running, cycling, and rolling is about to get a lot easier in the Town of Ajax thanks to two federal investments. Minister Mark Holland and Mayor Shaun Collier announced combined funding of nearly $250,000 for improvements to local trail networks.
Two trails lead from Dennis Drive and Hibbins Avenue to Eagle Ridge Public School in Forest Ridge Park. Combined, more than 620 metres have been paved with asphalt using part of today’s investment. The pavement has helped to make the ground more even and less steep for pedestrians and cyclists, facilitating access to the school from the surrounding neighbourhoods while enhancing safety.
The Annandale Lands sit at the northeast corner of Church Street and Bayly Street. While the area will be redeveloped for commercial purposes, a portion of the lands will be protected and returned to a natural state. Today’s investment will develop a plan and detailed design for a trail network in the environmentally protected portions of Annandale Lands. The plans will include creek course patterns, flood plain review, route and connection options and bridge relocations, and the new trail network will connect to the Ajax GO Station and the Trans Canada Trail.
“Trail networks create a safe, affordable way for people to get around their communities, while supporting the health and well-being of residents. Active transportation is an important part of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability on a local level. These two projects in Ajax are part of the federal government’s commitment to creating strong, vibrant and livable communities from coast to coast to coast.” –Mark Holland, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ajax, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities