New single track trail network proposed for North of the Nith River

The Brant Cycling Club, along with about a dozen other community groups and organizations is lobbying council to support a new single track trail network proposed to run north of the Nith River. If constructed, it will be open to non-motorized users, predominantly mountain bike enthusiasts and hikers. The photo shows where the trail is proposed.

By Casandra Turnbull

A grassroots, community led initiative is going to bring cyclists to trails around the Nith River soon. Led by the Brant Cycling Club, a single-track trail network and nature park, called North of the Nith, is in the initial planning stages and representatives were before council in December to explain the proposal in more detail

This was the second visit to council, the first during the pandemic in April of 2021, and Brant Cycling Club (BCC) members were excited to present their plans, which they’ve worked alongside County staff to facilitate since the idea was initially born.

John Scott Esposito and Duncan Ross, representing the BCC, called the North of the Nith River Single Track Trail Network project an innovative project between the County and many community groups.

“Our proposal is to utilize an underutilized piece of land that will benefit the whole community,” said Ross, who is a past president of both the BCC and the Brant Waterways Foundation

“When we were here last time a big thing was that it was a good idea, but we needed to bring in other folks from the community, more community consultation,” he stated.

So, they consulted with many community groups and organizations on the regional, provincial and national scale to gather information and form the Brant Waterways Regional Trails Council. It’s comprised of various groups, aside from the BCC and Brant Waterways Foundation, including the Brant Tree Coalition, Brant Death Racers Running Club, the Grand Valley Trails, The Brant Pedalers and Paddlers, Grand Trails, Brant for Nature, Forests Ontario, Birds Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Bruce Trail Conservancy, Nature Conservancy Canada, the Grand River Conservation Authority and The Trail Research Hub.

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WHAT IS A SINGLE TRACK TRAIL?

They are narrow trails about the width of a bike (as opposed to wider double track or dirt roads) that are specifically designed and constructed to be enjoyed on mountain bikes. Single-track trails include features such as roots, rocks, berms (banked turns) and other features that create a unique outdoor experience.

The North of the Nith Single Track Trail network will be located mostly north of the Nith River, adjacent to the very popular ‘Barkers Bush’ area but spans around County of Brant, GRCA and privately owned lands It covers a large area from Misener Road West in the southwestern part of town to Railway Street in the North end of town. It will accommodate public use for mountain bikes and other non-motorized user groups like hikers, runners and crosscountry skiers. The track will emulate successful singletrack networks in neighbouring communities like Waterloo, Dundas and Turkey Point

Single-track trails are narrow trails about the width of a bike (as opposed to wider double track or dirt roads) that are specifically designed and constructed to be enjoyed on mountain bikes Single-track trails include features such as roots, rocks, berms (banked turns) and other features that create a unique outdoor experience.

Ross and Esposito noted that they were not asking council for financial assistance, just to support the project so they could move forward with plans to bring it to reality. The group also had a meeting with county staff recently, a good indication that the project is moving in the right direction.

They noted the trail network would ensure that the natural heritage system is protected and that the multi-use trail would align well with the county’s New Official Plan, Recreation Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan making it a win-win scenario for residents and the municipality. The BCC and the Brant Waterways Regional Trails Council will be responsible for fundraising. The initial work to create a parking lot and get a trail implemented could be around $500,000, predicts Ross, noting it’s just a ballpark figure as he responded to a question posed by Councillor John Peirce. Ross said construction would be a phased approach that can only begin after an appropriate ecological assessment. The trails will be built to a professional standard to adhered to International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) standards, which ensures both comprehensive risk management and sustainably built infrastructure. As for ongoing maintenance once the trail is open, Ross said trail members will take on that responsibility, usually with a great sense of pride and ownership, but there might be some flagging and pruning that the BCC will take care of a few times throughout the year

The Brant Cycling Club is a community based, Incorporated Not-for-Profit Organization (2014), affiliated with Ontario & Canadian Cycling Associations (OCA & CCA).

It boasts 200 members, supporting and organizing weekly group rides allowing its members to enjoy a safe environment for exercising and exploring in the County of Brant. Additionally, it hosts a youth mountain bike program at the Rotary Bike Park teaching skills and instilling confidence in the next generation of local cyclists The Rotary Bike Park itself was a successfully completed $500,000 Brant Cycling Club led project, so they are no strangers to bringing recreation projects to life. The presentation during the December 19th Brant County Council meeting was received as information only. The group will continue to work with County staff to iron out project details