Council will wait for a staff report before deciding on a request to plow the trail in a portion of Wallace Cumming Park during the winter months.
On Nov. 24 Jim de Bock of the Alma Optimist Club presented council with the request, which he said has the support of the club.
De Bock noted the Alma Public School track and field team uses the trail on a weekly basis. He said it is also used regularly by local residents and groups, as well as visitors to the community.
“Dog walkers, Guides, Sparks, Pathfinders make use of this excellent facility when it’s accessible,” he told council.
De Bock also pointed out that as there is a limited amount of sidewalk running through Alma, residents are forced to walk and run, and children to play, on the streets.
He add that he felt the benefits of plowing the trail would outweigh any costs.
“I don’t know what the costs would be, but I’m sure it wouldn’t bankrupt the infrastructure of the township,” said de Bock.
Mayor Neil Driscoll suggested having CAO Brad McRoberts look into the request, noting “We don’t know how wide the trail is, what days you would be wanting it plowed, what the cost would be …”
Driscoll also noted there may be liability issues and asked McRoberts if the township plows any other trails in the community. McRoberts said that no other local trails are plowed in the winter.
De Bock pointed out the trail is 1,100 metres long and four feet across at the widest point. He also suggested the township should not let liability concerns prevent it from taking action.
“You talk about liability … look at all the things that are going on the community that are open to liability and if you’re going to stop and look at that every time, nothing would ever get done,” de Bock stated.
