- A nature trail for pleasure walkers, joggers, hikers & bird-watchers. Accessible for baby strollers, motorized scooters and wheelchairs. The trail is a photographer's paradise, from the Mill Pond through to the woodlands and the West Perth Wetlands.
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Mitchell Advocate – Wednesday, May 28, 2003
By Andy Bader
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| FOOTBRIDGE ALMOST READY GERRY KEHL CONTRIBUTED PHOTO © Pat Kelly (left) and George Lannin of W.G. Kelly Construction were installing the cedar decking on the trail’s footbridge Monday morning, prior to a crane lifting the 85-foot bridge into place this Thursday at 11 a.m. (weather permitting). The bridge will connect 3.5 km of trail along the Thames River, including a wheelchair accessible north section and the more natural rugged southern section. |
The Mitchell Advocate — The footbridge is here! The footbridge is here!
The bridge arrived last Friday morning on a flatbed truck and was loaded onto the James Street flats by W. G. Kelly Construction. The bridge sits on the flats awaiting the installation of the cedar decking, which has been donated by Sherri and Harry McIver. The decking will be installed before the bridge is lifted into place, which, weather permitting, will take place this Thursday morning, May 29, at approximately 11 a.m.
W.G. Kelly Construction has arranged for a large crane to lift the entire 85-foot span foot bridge into place.
The bridge will connect 3.5 km of trail along the Thames River, including a wheelchair accessible north section and the more natural rugged southern section.
The footings for the bridge were installed in the spring of 2002.
The bridge is constructed with self-weathering steel, a specially formulated material that forms a dense protective oxide on the surface. It naturally weathers to a rich deep dark brown colour that requires no maintenance. This rustic look is preferred for hike and bike trails and blends with the environment.
A cedar rail will be installed on the sides of the bridge, and the plaques, acknowledging donations to the bridge, will be installed on the rails.
There is still time to have your plaque on the bridge because donations to pay for the bridge are still needed. The amount raised to date is now up to $32,000, just $6,000 short of the total amount needed. The final money for the bridge was loaned to the Bridge Committee by the Municipality of West Perth. Donation forms are available at many local businesses, the municipal office or online at www.westperth.com and click on the trail logo. Small plaques, of which more than 110 have been sold, will continue to be placed on the bridge as donations come in, not including the larger plaques for the major donors, which will be recognized in a different way.
Fundraising for the bridge continues with the second annual Canada Day Pig Roast on Tuesday, July 1st from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lions Park Pavilion held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Mitchell Canada Day celebration.
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