The trails in the vast Simcoe County Forest proved incredibly popular during the pandemic as people looked for a healthy, safe place to go.
But they weren’t for everyone.
The county is now considering how it might make one of its trails more accessible.
“Currently, there are no fully accessible trails in our county forest system,” said county forester Graeme Davis. “This is a first for Simcoe County Forest property and the museum makes an awful lot of sense to place it there.
“For this type of trail, it really is a good fit and offers a nice opportunity, a nice add-on to some of the work that’s been done there. … It will add another opportunity for individuals to come and enjoy what the property has to offer that wouldn’t be able to do so otherwise.”
The county’s joint accessibility advisory committee is examining the proposed development of an accessible trail west of the Simcoe County Museum in Midhurst.
More than 100 acres of the former Midhurst Ballast Pit on the property next to the museum along Highway 26 is being restored. Trees are being planted to create a unique forest habitat and nesting area for the endangered grey and yellow Kirtland’s warbler.
That includes the establishment of a 2.6-kilometre, multi-use loop trail called Warbler Way, which links to the Simcoe County Loop Trail and the Trans-Canada Trail and is now being used by walkers and cyclists.
An accessible kilometre-long loop trail, according to the report presented to county council last month, would provide more opportunities for increased visitation to the outdoor spaces and provide a barrier-free outdoor experience.
The idea is to provide a space for guided tours, museum programs and other activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Some of the considerations for an accessible trail include making it wide and high enough for two-way traffic, a firm and stable surface, be located in a generally flat area, include rest areas and have appropriate signs.
The museum — with its 30,000 visitors annually, day camps and other programs — often connects with the surrounding property for its programming. In recent years, a skating trail was created behind the museum.
The museum tract to the west could be used for snowshoeing, educational programming and general exposure to the natural heritage, said Simcoe County Museum curator Kelley Swift Jones.
“The accessible trail, it really came from an idea that everybody should be able to enjoy nature, everybody should be able to see the Kirtland’s warbler project that we’re working on regardless of how your mobility is,” said Swift Jones.
The property’s increased use during the pandemic, she added, demonstrated its benefits and potential expanded use.
