Ajax Receives Federal Funding for Trail Improvements

The Town of Ajax is set to receive nearly $250,000 in federal funding aimed at improving local trail networks. This announcement was made on September 6, 2024, by Minister Mark Holland and Mayor Shaun Collier.

The funding will support two main projects:

• Trail Improvements: Two trails leading from Dennis Drive and Hibbins Avenue to Eagle Ridge Public School in Forest Ridge Park will be enhanced. Over 620 metres of these trails have been paved with asphalt, which is expected to create a more even and accessible surface for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Annandale Lands Development: The investment will also fund the planning and design of a new trail network in the Annandale Lands, located at the northeast corner of Church Street and Bayly Street. This area will be partially redeveloped for commercial use, while some portions will be preserved in a natural state. The new trail network will connect to the Ajax GO Station and the Trans Canada Trail, incorporating features such as creek course patterns and flood plain reviews.

The federal government is contributing $110,000 through the Active Transportation Fund, while the Town of Ajax is providing an additional $139,290. The Active Transportation Fund is part of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy, which aims to promote walking, cycling, and other forms of human-powered transport across the country.