Kincardine Trails Association half-way to goal for KIPP Trail

The Kincardine Trails Association has raised about $125,000 of its $250,000 community fund-raising goal for the Kincardine to Inverhuron Provincial Park (KIPP) Trail.

The $900,000 project is a trail extension, running north from Queen Street, along the west side of the B-line (Bruce County Road 23) to the park, a 12-kilometre stretch that will allow local cycling enthusiasts to travel without traffic concerns, said Brad Kirkconnell, chairman of the trails association, adding that the development of this trail will eventually lead to a connection to the northern part of the Municipality of Kincardine, which is linked to the 78-kilometre Bruce County Rail Trail.

“Due to the high volume of vehicles using the B-line from Kincardine to Inverhuron, as well as soft shoulders and varying sightlines, this road has been unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists,” Kirkconnell said. “The first five kilometres of the proposed trail will be off the road and have a hard-top consistency, while the remaining seven-kilometre stretch, starting at the Kin-Huron subdivision, will use quieter municipal roads, sidewalks, pedestrian bridges and existing trails.”

The fund-raising campaign received a boost from Bruce Power, Thursday afternoon, with the presentation of a $60,000 donation over two years in honour of the company's 16th anniversary.

Supporting the KIPP Trail extension was a natural fit for the company’s community investment and sponsorship program, said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s vice-president of corporate affairs and environment.

“The safety of our employees and neighbours is our top priority, and it had concerned us for years to see cyclists using the B-Line, especially during peak traffic periods,” said Scongack. “The trails association has worked tirelessly over the years to open off-road trails for our residents, and the KIPP Trail extension will encourage a healthier lifestyle for residents with the added benefit of creating safer passage for cycling enthusiasts.”

Upcoming fund-raising events include the Tour Kincardine Bicycle Race May 21, and the 7K Challenge Sept. 24.

Organized by Shane Hotchkiss, the idea for the bicycle race began just because of his love for the local trails.

"I think they are unrecognized as a good venue for cyclists, so this event can help showcase them," he said. "The tour route uses the trails and the best features of the town. I hope that local cyclists will discover the trail as a viable cycling option as well as use the route to challenge each other through participation in this local event."

For more information about Tour Kincardine, check the website at www.tourofkincardine.com/