Millennium Trail upgrade project begins this fall

The trek toward a smooth, more user-friendly Millennium Trail through Prince Edward County will get under way in the coming weeks.

The County is carrying out a three-year upgrade project in partnership with the PEC Trails Committee, an external citizen group dedicated to expanding and promoting the trail network.

The municipality has committed $370,000 to the project, while the trails committee has fundraised $110,000, far surpassing its original goal of $80,000.

“The public support for the Millennium Trail upgrade is outstanding and we are excited that this project is moving forward,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “The work undertaken over the next three years promises to deliver an outstanding recreational amenity that residents and visitors alike can experience and enjoy.”

The 46-kilometre multi-use trail stretches from Carrying Place at County Road 64, to Picton, at County Road 49, passing through Consecon, Wellington, and Bloomfield. An 11-kilometre section of the trail from Danforth Road to Highway 33 east of Wellington has already been upgraded through the hard work and dedication of the Rotary Club of Wellington.

“The response to this project has been unbelievable,” said Patrick Maloney, Chair, PEC Trails Committee. “I want to thank our fundraising team and all of the donors who share our vision for the Millennium Trail as a linear park. When the resurfacing is finished, the trail will provide a path that joins all of the hamlets and towns along its length, providing a thoroughfare for recreation, transportation, and economic growth.”

This fall, the County will resurface the trail from east of Wellington, to Lake Street in Picton. In addition, a two-kilometre stretch of the trail through two wetland areas in Hillier will feature several “eco-passages.” They will be designed to provide small animals such as turtles with a safe way to cross the trail. This work, which will also be completed this fall, is in part made possible by a $15,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

In 2018, the municipality plans to upgrade the section of the trail heading west from Wellington to Carrying Place and the section heading north from Picton to Highway 49. In the final year of the project, the balance of the resurfacing work will be completed and new signage will be installed the entire length of the trail, including kilometre markers, directional signage, interpretative signage, safety signs and information.

Six “trailhead” locations are to be established along the length of the trail.

Though not in the original project scope, Maloney says it is hoped to build out the areas in 2019 to include facilities such as seasonal washrooms, seating, parking and information kiosks. The locations include Novotny Court in Carrying Place; Salem Road at Consecon; Station Road, Hillier; Stanley Street Bloomfield and County Road 49 as well as the existing trailhead location at West Street in Wellington.