West Luther Rail Trail improvements continue thanks to community

WELLINGTON NORTH – Last summer, an anonymous community member offered to pay for upgrades to the West Luther Rail Trail. 

The trail runs on the former rail bed from East-West Luther Townline to Eliza Street in Arthur. 

The first phase of those upgrades was completed in the fall, and about five and a half kilometres of trail between East-West Luther Townline and Wellington Road 16 was widened to over 15 feet and resurfaced “to create a safer and more comfortable experience for walkers and cyclists,” according to township staff. 

The second phase is set to be completed by the end of May and will see the same upgrades on the second half of the trail – from Wellington Road 16 to Eliza Street – another 5.5km, as well as benches along the trail, a parking area, two pavilions and a bike repair station.  

The proposed space for parking is on township lands at Eliza Street and Sideroad 7, and a culvert underneath the trail on Sideroad 7 is set to be replaced. 

Six benches will be installed along the trail and a bike repair station and two pavilions at the Eliza Street trailhead. The bike repair station and pavilions would be funded by the anonymous donor while the benches would be funded by the township and are included in the 2026 operating budget. 

All concrete needed for the pavilion, bike repair station and benches is being donated by Teeswater Concrete.  

And one of the six benches will be paid for by Copernicus Educational Products CEO Jim Phillips, where the West Luther Rail Trail meets his own private trail. 

“As with the previous phase, the (anonymous) donor has offered to arrange for contractors to complete the work, as well as pay all costs related to the project (except for the benches and concrete),” township staff stated in a report. 

A third phase of the upgrades, set to begin in the fall, includes widening just over 1km of trail between Eliza Street West and Wells Street. 

The third section includes several residential properties abutting the trail, so township staff say they need to identify whether there has been any private property encroachment or private use along the township right-of-way. 

A portion of the trail is located on private property, staff note, so a survey and realignment will likely be required. 

“The enhancements  to the West Luther Trail through the generous contribution of private partners is a wonderful example of how these collaborative initiatives can enhance community amenities in Wellington North,” township staff stated in the report. 

“This project has not only improved the trail for local users but has the potential to welcome avid cyclists from across the province, offering opportunities for a growing recreation and tourism market – all without significantly impacting ratepayers of Wellington North for those up-front capital costs.”

Council authorized staff to initiate planning for phase three during an April 7 council meeting. 

Councillor Penny Renken said the trail upgrades provide “a lovely balance for all the increasing residential units that are being put around.”