Council for the Town of Hanover is scrapping plans to develop the East End Trail as planned, instead opting to close the trail loop with a series of sidewalks through the Saugeen Cedar Heights subdivision.
The proposed project, which was included in the 2026 budget, included a nature path between 17th and 18th street, connecting the existing trail past the Rotary Dog Park with Grey Road 28 (24th St.) and the trail on the east side. Staff said with approval, the project could have been completed this year.
This week's council meeting began with a delegation from 17th Street residents, Alicia Tilker and Courtney Conaway, who presented a petition opposing the proposed trail system. The residents in the area said the proposed nature trail along rear lot lines would result in a loss of privacy, concerns over safety, environmental impact and a potentially negative impact on property values.
Staff did offer some clarifications noting that some of the properties along that stretch were encroaching on municipal land, giving the appearance the trail would be closer to backyards than it is. The proposed trail was also approved by the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.
Council members were supportive of the residents' concerns, and following the delegation, they received an in depth report from staff on possible extension options for the trail.
Recommendations included proceeding as planned, a phased approach to the build, or using sidewalks west of 22nd Avenue to connect to the the existing trail.
Ultimately council opted against all of those options, directing staff to figure out the costing of extending the sidewalk from Grey Road 28 throughout the subdivision, from 18th, 19th to 20th Street, as well as along 22nd Avenue.
CAO Sheri Waldren warned that their could be unintended consequences to the pivot, but said that staff would follow whatever direction they're given.
"This may come as a cost to this municipality and the residents accordingly, more so than the what the existing trail is proposed," she said. "We will be forfeiting grant money, which does not look good for the Town of Hanover and can impact us for future grants... We as staff always have to fulifil what council direction is. If your direction has changed, than we change gears as well."
The town is eligible for up to $47,800 in grant funding for work on the nature trail, but the money cannot be put towards sidewalks in the development.
Andrew Wilken Chief Building Official added that it would delay the closing of the trail loop for a number of years.
"To be clear, typically you don't see a sidewalk until those lots are developed. A sidewalk from 22nd (Avenue) to 24th (Street), potentially, is not installed for three to four to five years. It would be timed with the development," he said.
The cost of this change will be brought back to council at a later date.
