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By Stephen Vance -
There has been much talk about the proposed plan to pave portions of the Georgian Trail. I must admit, I have mixed feelings about this idea.
My first instinct is to express frustration at our seemingly insatiable need to transform and manipulate natural spaces into something that we find to be more aesthetically pleasing, or easier for us to use.
It bothers me that our society has developed a sense of entitlement to rule over every little corner of our planet.
At the same time, I understand the desire to make trails more accessible to everyone so that we can all enjoy the beautiful, natural settings that surround the concrete and asphalt cities and towns that we have created.
Paving the trail with asphalt would most certainly make it easier for those in wheelchairs, or who use walkers to take advantage of the trail. It may also be beneficial for those with asthma since the dust generated from walking or running on the gravel trail would be gone.
And let’s face it, the limestone gravel that currently covers the Georgian Trail isn’t exactly natural to the area, so asphalt though less natural, is not that much of a jump away from what is there now.
The city of Barrie years ago paved the portion of the Trans Canada Trail that makes its way around its waterfront. Nearly 7 kilometres of the trail was paved over what was once a gravel trail after the railway tracks had been lifted.
There is no doubt that this has made the trail accessible to more people than when it was gravel. Although, the trail suddenly saw increased bicycle, roller blade and skateboard traffic due to the smooth surface, and the fast moving bicycles made it difficult, particularly for more elderly trail walkers, as they whizzed by.
The City of Barrie has attempted to rectify the situation by painting a line down the centre of the trail with one side designated for pedestrian traffic and the other for bicycles. this has helped some, but it is still an area of complaint for trail users as walkers, cyclists, roller bladers and skateboarders all try to coexist on a 4 foot width of trail.
Even though I am conflicted, I think that I would lean toward paving the portions of trail that run through the urban areas of the municipalities involved, because I do think it is important for us to be conscious of accessibility issues, and make improvements where we can.
But then, I don’t get a say, and I think that this is the part of this story that irritates me….
