The Town of Ponoka began construction of a new walking trail extension at the Ponoka Tractor Park a couple of weeks ago.
The trail extension will connect the park (located on 50 St. across from the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse) to the Battle River Valley trail system.
Those who were fond of the old heritage tractors need not worry; after the new walking trails have been paved and the site improvements are completed, the tractors, newly refurbished, will be returned to the park on their own raised display platforms.
The improvements will also include new seating, garbage receptacles, perennial flowers and shrubbery along the new trails. Mature trees will also be preserved.
“The improvements will provide a quality gathering space downtown and will help beautify the downtown area,” said Andrew Jones, recreation services coordinator, in a press release.
The area was identified as a ‘high-use’ area by the Town’s Recreation Master Plan and Downtown Action Plan and the trail extension was developed in consultation with the town’s Recreation, Parks and Culture Advisory Committee.
The trail extension at the Tractor Park is expected to be completed around the end of October (pending weather) and is being funded through Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) and Federal Gas Tax (FGT) funding.
Three other locations around town have had, or will have, new trail segments constructed: at the top of the green bridge at the north end of the river valley trail system, at the new parking lot on 50 Street across from the Ponoka Civic Centre, and beside the civic centre.
Together, the extensions and the town’s sidewalks will connect town parks with the river valley trail system.
For full details, visit ponoka.ca.