Trails across Woolwich have all received the green light following the aftermath of last month’s flooding.
A result of the upwards of 120 mm of rainfall on June 23, the flooding brought minor water damage to trails maintained by the Elmira Lions and major damage to sections of the Woolwich Township trails.
Of the club’s three main trails – the Lions Lake Trail, Kissing Bridge Trail and the Lions Ring Trail – Art Woods, general chair for all of the trails, can say comfortably that there was no major damage.
The Lions Lake Trail, which circles the Woolwich dam and reservoir, saw minor flooding, but not enough to warrant cleanup or maintenance complaints to the group.
“Parts of it were flooded but we are not aware of major damage,” he said. “And no one has filed a complaint with me, so I think that it is fair for me to comment that we had no major damage. Certainly, some of our trail was flooded around the Woolwich reservoir.”
The Lions Ring Trail, which is currently under construction to create a route that fully encloses Elmira, received minor flooding in the southeast portion.
“Our third trail, which we are still not done with, is what we are calling our Lions Ring Trail which will circle Elmira eventually when it is all done,” he said. “There was some flooding down in the southeast section where the ring trail goes through the bush in behind the industrial area. But again, no significant damage just some high water erosion.”
While water reached well up to the bottom of the bridge over the Canagagigue Creek just north of the intersection of Church and Arthur streets, the elevation of the remainder of the Kissing Bridge Trail allowed for it to stay dry despite the close proximity of floodwaters.
“We are fortunate that none of the areas were effected by the recent flooding,” Woods said. “I have not personally been out, but no one has called me with a complaint and I usually get them complaints several times a week over holes and damages here and there on some of our trails.”
Although Woods hadn’t personally been out, individual Lion members perform routine maintenance to keep trails in top shape. None of the trails warranted special treatment or maintenance.
The situation with township-maintained trails was a little different.
Following the flooding on June 23, two sections of the Health Valley Trail received significant damage as well as the Mill Race Trail leading to closures of both.
“The Health Valley Trail was the most damaged as a result of flooding. Approximately 600 metres of stone dust trail between St. Jacobs and the expressway bridge was washed away the trail was closed following the flooding,” said Ann Roberts, trails coordinator with Woolwich Township. “There was some damage on the HVT between the expressway and University Avenue, as well.”
The township spent July 10 bringing in new material to fix the 600 metres of stone dust and reopened that day, while debris was removed from the HVT by July 12.
“The Mill Race Trail was closed following the flood due to damage on the trail,” she said noting that the repairs were made and trail reopened on July 13.
All trails under township responsibility have now been given the OK for the public to enjoy.
