THUNDER BAY — A city councillor representing Thunder Bay’s Neebing ward is pushing for the city to consider a trail network in the area, saying it would respond to residents’ safety and walkability concerns.
Coun. Greg Johnsen, who had discussed the idea during last year’s election campaign, said it’s an issue he hears about often from area residents.
“Basically, this comes down to the residents of Mountain Road wanting to be able to use the area, to walk safely,” he said.
Mountain Road has no sidewalk, and Johnsen said the shoulders are often sloped and difficult to walk on. It’s also home to the Nor’wester View Public School.
“I think it’s more than a bit of a community safety issue. You’ve got people trying to use the area for walking, you’ve got children trying to get to school and back home again, dog lovers, retirees, people that like to use their bikes. They’re really struggling to do so safely.”
In a motion that will be considered by city council on Monday, Johnsen seeks a report by city staff into options for a trail network in the vicinity of Mountain Road and Nor’Wester View School, including financial estimates.
The report would be due back by October.
In a memo accompanying the motion, he said the idea will promote safety and active living, and potentially increase property values in the area.
“It is my hope that we can investigate this potential in advance of the 2024 budget to determine if this project has support and city council is willing to invest in the area,” he wrote.
Johnsen said he encourages residents elsewhere in the city who support the idea to contact their own city councillors to share their support.
“I’m very hopeful they’ll see it as something that is important to the community out in this area,” he said of his colleagues. “I know the people living off Mountain Road are very passionate about this topic, and very hardy in their efforts to get something like this attained.”
