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Paradise council approves new Trenton Drive trail

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council has approved the construction of a new, inclusive trail connecting Trenton Drive to nearby Octagon Pond Elementary.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street said staff have been working with both the developer of the nearby Emerald Ridge subdivision and the Grand Concourse Authority to construct the trail. Street said there is still some work to be done to bring the site up to spec, and that trail construction will start once that work is complete.

The Grand Concourse submitted an estimate of $132, 895, plus HST to construct the new trail based on the preliminary designs, and Street moved that council award the construction contract to the Grand Concourse Authority to a limit of $152,829.

“This has been some time coming, and I’m very pleased to see that we’re going to be working through the process to get this design,” said councillor Patrick Martin. “I’m also glad to see that this is going to be an inclusive trail, which is great to see.”

Martin then asked when the trail will be completed, and Street explained that while the trail is scheduled to be completed this year, landscaping will not be completed until next year.

Councillor Larry Vaters also applauded the trail design, noting that it would provide a safe passage for kids back-and-forth to the elementary school.

Councillor Glen Carew noted the trail would incorporate a switchback design – a zig-zag pattern designed to make steep hills easier to climb— due to the steep slope of the area.

He said the cost reflects the inclusivity features of the trail.

“It is more expensive to build to accessibility standards, but that is the direction that the Town wants to go in,” said Carew.

The motion passed unanimously.

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