Improving on Wakefield's Trail System

Ken Bouchard has tirelessly volunteered his time in the creation and building of the trail system here in Wakefield and with the Great Trail here in La Pêche.  He shared some of his concerns with the railway track/path and the River Walk Trail.  He too speaks of how many people are enjoying the Great Trail with the counting system that has been put into place.

This past summer, the tracks that are a part of the River Walk Trail has created some problems especially with some cyclists.  The tracks were not removed, instead stone dust was put down to create this trail.  After the stone dust settled, the tracks became exposed, which now has created problems.  These exposed tracks were not considered when building this trail, however mistakes were made. 

He spoke about the obstacles around the train track/path to Chelsea and expresses they are looking at alternatives around these problems.  There is a lot of pressure to figure out a solution for this connecting trail to Chelsea.  The Municipality was given a grant for 2.5 million dollars from the province of Quebec to rebuild the 3-kilometer section of Riverside Drive.  This new road could be wider and therefore allow a cycling lane.  Things are currently being investigated for its future plans.

Sentiers Wakefield Trails uses the TRAFx Infrared Trail counters.  In the last 18 months over 100,000 people have been counted in using the trails.  These trails are used 365 days a year.  Using the trail counters is now showing just how many people are using and benefiting from these trails here in La Pêche.  This community is ever so fortunate from organizations such as S.W.T.