Walking track proposed for Picton Fairground’s half-mile
Administrator | Mar 19, 2018 | Comments 9
Harness racing had long been a highlight of the Picton fall fair, and at the turn of the century there was racing in summer and winter when weather allowed. The Prince Edward Agricultural Society continued to run them in the 1940s and early 50s until the County Centre was constructed infield. – Photo from the collection of Alan R. Capon
Picton fairgrounds and race track aeriel view in 1987 photographed by Lloyd Thompson.
It’s been more than 70 years since the ponies ran in harness races at the Picton Fairgrounds track, but people might soon go through their paces if a proposal to make a walking track takes hold.
Julia Miller told Committee of the Whole members last week that the Picton Recreation Committee has plans to see if the track surrounding the community centre could be utilized for walking and running year-round.
“We have a plan, a budget, a healthy amount of the funds needed,” she said. “What we need now is some help from several county departments to pave the way.”
She said the Picton Recreation Committee has a $10,000 toward the rejuvenation of the existing track and a budget from a landscaper.
She noted it should be built to industry standars for track and field, and given its close proximity to the high school, there should be partnerships to be made as the school has no track and field facility.
Council agreed it could also be well used by fundraisers such as Relay for Life and by seniors, and recommended the project be sent to staff for a report.
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No, not really. This measured space has been here for years. You want to walk? Walk. How about we get a quality hospital up and running first? Who’s going to look after the person that OD’s on the walk??
Love this idea. Here’s hoping it happens in a reasonable amount of time and money.
So far sounds great. Curious what they had in mind to seperate flying baseball’s from walkers. The walkway in front of grandstands is quite close to diamond. I also see that someone has drawn in tennis courts behind grandstand.
I absolutely love this idea!!! Would be fantastic for the whole community.
Fabulous idea! How quickly can we make this happed?
This is a brilliant idea. We can look to our neighbours in Belleville they have a beautiful running track at Mary-Anne Sills located at 140 Palmer Rd. It is used by many organizations. It would be fantastic to have a professional track Installed for walkers and runners. The middle could be utilized as a football, rugby, and soccer field. (A full-size soccer field would be well used)
Wonderful use for the track. Will look forward to using it. Thanks Julie!
I think this would be a great asset to this community. I have a job where I sit a lot and I would love to use the track to walk on at my lunch time.
Another suggestion, use recycled asphalt for the track as it gives better traction and is cheaper than regular asphalt. It would be safer for seniors and others that want to walk the track any time of the year.
Fabulous and long overdue!! I hope it becomes a reality sooner vs later!