A railway company’s grant program could help with some landscape improvements in the City of Armstrong.
City council voted unanimously with a staff request to apply for grant funds in the total amount of $25,000 from CN Rail’s EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program.
“The program is for the greening of municipal properties across Canada but especially in communities along its rail lines,” said Tim Perepolkin, the city’s public works manager.
If successful, the money would be used for landscape upgrades and other improvements to the Van Diest Memorial Trail and the soon-to-be-completed Huculak Park.
The Van Diest Memorial Trail ends on the north end and does not lead users to a safe crossing on Pleasant Valley Road, and the area immediately west of the trail is currently described as unimproved road allowance.
This could easily be transformed into a natural park-like setting incorporating trees, shrubs, natural landscape features and raised beds to a location where an appropriate crosswalk could be installed on Pleasant Valley Road.
“This would give us the opportunity to do some landscaping improvements and put in a proper crosswalk,” said Coun. Kelly Rowe. “This would be more safety as well for all the kids travelling to school that take that trail.”
Another use for grant funds would be improving a portion of Bridge Street right of way from Patterson Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road to connect to Huculak Park.
“This portion of Bridge Street is not used as road except that a portion of it is used to access the public works yard,” said Perepolkin.
If successful in obtaining grants, the city has said it would match the funds with in-kind contributions.
