The non-motorized trails project is getting a $10,000 boost from Bancroft.
“For a very minimal investment, we’re going to get over $64,000 of goods and services,” Bancroft’s Mayor Paul Jenkins tells My Bancroft Now after council voted to approve the funding. The money will come out of the surplus that is projected for the 2018 fiscal year.
The Stewards of Bancroft Eagles Nest Park will be putting forward $2,500 as well.
Chair of Hastings Trails Cathy Trimble says this funding will give them a big boost. Hastings Highlands council met yesterday and determined that more discussion is needed before they chip in with funding. Trimble says they will also be looking for funding from the federal government through the Canadian Experiences Fund. “They’re looking for people who have shovel ready projects to help move them forward,” she says. The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grow grant is also an option for funding. “A grow grant goes over three years and is quite significant dollars,” Trimble says.
They will also be looking to work on a “lost trail.” Trimble says that trail extends from the base to the top of Eagles Nest that can be accessed from Hastings Street North. She says an assessment needs to be done before any work starts. “And if it works out it will be pretty exciting,” Trimble says.
A pilot project is set to begin with one kilometre of Bird’s Creek in Hastings Highlands to be worked on along with nine kilometres of Eagle’s Nest in Bancroft and McGeechie Trail in Limerick Township.