Construction of pedestrian walkway to Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is to begin shortly

Construction phase is starting soon; Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is closed for all access during construction

The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC) called for tenders, in March of 2024, for construction of the pedestrian walkway to the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area. The successful contractor is VanDriel Excavating Inc.

A pre-construction meeting was held on site, in April, with representatives from B. M. Ross and Associates Limited (engineering); HTLTC; Hydro One; VanDriel Excavating Inc.; and Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA).

The BRVTA manages the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area property, which is owned by HTLTC through the generous donations of the community.

The property will be closed to all public access during construction.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Bayfield River Flats Natural Area to be closed from April 29 to June 15, 2024 for construction of pedestrian walkway

The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is to be closed for public access between April 29, 2024 until June 15, 2024 while construction takes place of a pedestrian walkway.

Read the Notice here:

Bayfield River Flats to be closed during walkway construction

A public notice will be issued when the nature area is reopened for public access.

The creation of a new pedestrian walkway will mean people don’t have to drive from Bayfield to reach the nature area. They will be able to walk to the nature area without having to cross the highway.

The cost to construct the walkway is about $70,000. A community fundraising campaign has raised almost enough to cover the cost of the project but there is still $5,000 left to raise.

The project partners say they plan to begin construction this spring. In the meantime, they are looking for options to close the funding gap and encourage donations. The project team expressed thanks for the generosity of the community to date and also thanked B. M. Ross and Associates Limited for their ongoing contribution to the project.

The fundraising campaign remains open should anyone wish to donate and help move the project closer to the finish line. Donations are eligible for a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). There are recognition opportunities for various donor levels.

To learn more about the Bayfield River Flats Walkway project, or to donate, visit the Bayfield River Flats web page.

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association is leading the walkway fundraising project. The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is permanently protected by the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy as habitat for wildlife and as a recreation destination.

Visit the Land Trust website and visit the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association website to find out more.

PREPARING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY – At the site of the planned pedestrian walkway, at Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, project partners meet for pre-construction planning. In the photo, holding a shovel, is Jack Pal, of Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA). The trail association manages the nature area property which is owned by Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, thanks to funds which were raised by BRVTA and the Bayfield and area community. Construction of the walkway is planned to start in late April and continue until June 15, 2024 and the nature area will be closed to public access during this construction phase. A community fundraising campaign resulted in $65,000 in donations for the pedestrian walkway. The walkway will make it possible for people to walk from Bayfield to the nature area without having to drive and without having to cross the highway. Construction is proceeding this spring. The fundraising team is encouraging continued donations to raise the additional $5,000 needed to cover the actual cost of the construction, which is about $70,000.