The Town of Stonewall is taking strides towards another option for active transportation.
Trails Manitoba is providing the town with a grant of up to $24,643 to create an accessible pathway to provide easy access to Quarry Park and the Kinsmen splash pad. The grant program aims to make trails attractive and inclusive destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Kelly Kimball, Quarry Park manager, explained that the path will start on 4th Avenue North, travelling along the fence line at the edge of Kinsmen Lake.
“It will open up right into the Kinsmen splash pad area, which is a gem of the park and we really want to encourage people to go there,” Kimball said.
“One of the comments that we frequently get is that the Kinsmen splash pad is difficult to locate, so there will be signage on both ends of it to help the general public and people visiting to know where to go.”
The path will be paved and accessible, with lighting along the way. Eventually benches will also be installed.
Kimball expects that work will be underway soon.
“The access to the park will be a beautiful way to encourage people to actively go in with no cars. They can take the path with a stroller, a bike, rollerblades and head right in. It’s also a safer option for getting to the park rather than walking down the roadway,” she said.
“I’m very excited. It’s going to be a great addition.”
In other council news:
• The Town of Stonewall’s 2023 public water system annual report is now published on its website at www.stonewall.ca.
• The Town of Stonewall will host a public hearing about its 2024 financial plan on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. A link is posted on the town’s website for those who prefer to attend virtually.
• During the April 3 meeting, council hosted a public hearing regarding an application for an excess animal permit. The applicant, Desiree Griffin, was seeking permission to have more than two dogs and five cats for companionship. The Town of Stonewall’s current limits are two dogs and three cats. In addition, council considered a request to allow Griffin, who runs Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, to temporarily foster one extra dog and one extra cat over six months old at the same address on 4th Avenue South from time to time. Council received some letters in opposition to the request, and Griffin also provided letters in support. The issue will come back to council for a decision at the April 17 meeting.
• Council heard from municipal emergency coordinator Dennis Peterson, who provided an update on related work in the community.
