A new 2.4 km trail linking Tecumseh to Windsor is finally open to the public.
The trail extension is open from Manning Road to the Ganatchio Trail on the Tecumseh/Windsor municipal border.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara, along with Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk and the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Filomena Tassi, opened the Riverside Drive Trail extension on Wednesday morning.
The Town of Tecumseh calls the trail extension a "historic project" that connects Tecumseh to the County Wide Active Transportation System, which boasts 800 kms of trail stretching across seven local municipalities.
"Connecting our residents to cycling infrastructure and trails throughout Windsor-Essex is key to promoting a healthy lifestyle and building a more sustainable Tecumseh," said McNamara.
The town contributed $490,000 toward the project, while the federal government paid $750,000 out of its Canada Community Revitalization Fund.
"The one-of-a-kind trail spanning from Tecumseh to Windsor will be a great place for locals and visitors to enjoy the outdoors for years to come," Tassi said.
Kusmierczyk added, "The best validation of this terrific partnership is seeing Riverside Drive Trail packed with walkers, joggers, and cyclists."
The project was not without controversy.
In the winter of 2021, some residents opposed the project and urged council to "Rethink the Trail" when they launched a campaign of the same name.
Soon after, a second campaign called "Extend the Trail" formed in favour of the project.
