A decision on how Hanover will close its East End Trail Loop has once again been deferred, after Mayor Sue Paterson proposed a compromise to appease residents on either side of the trail versus sidewalk debate.
This week, council received a report on the cost of having sidewalks throughout the Saugeen Cedar Heights West (SCHW) Subdivision. The report was requested after residents in the area asked council to cancel a planned nature trail that would have ran behind their properties.
Months later, another group brought a delegation to council asking that the original plan for naturalized trails to close the community trails system be restored.
Mayor Paterson said a compromise wouldn't satisfy everyone, but would satisfy most.
"The middle ground I am proposing is to have both a sidewalk and a trail," she said. "This approach respects the voices of those who value a naturalized trail and the voices of those who have concerns about it. It is a balanced solution that listens to everyone."
The trail would run from the new proposed parking lot area on 24th Avenue to 22nd avenue, then a sidewalk would connect it to the rest of the trail by the soccer fields.
That was actually one of three options put forward in the March 16 staff report, but council members ignored those suggestions in favour of exploring the cost of sidewalks.
Staff estimated it would be almost $300,000 to add the sidewalks needed to close the trail.
Deputy Mayor Warren Dickert said this option "had a missing link," as in the winter, there would be no path available for people to connect to the sidewalk on 24th Avenue.
Paterson reminded council that the initial issue was not about ensuring sidewalks throughout the subdivision, as the item that was included in the 2026 capital budget was for closing the trail loop.
"I think we'll have pushback if we put a sidewalk in a subdivision where it's mainly used for the people that live in the subdivision, and we do not put one on County Road 4, going out to WalMart, we'll take even more backlash... when you bring that whole sidewalk issue into it, we're getting away from what a trail actually is. A sidewalk is not a trail," she said.
Councillor Brandon Koebel pushed back on a sentiment that council was "anti-trail" noting that they had ensured that four bridges along the south line section of the trails system were replaced in 2024.
He later put forward the motion to defer a decision until staff bring back a report on the cost of a mixed trail and sidewalk solution.
After the motion was read, Councillor Dave Hocking began a statement, saying that when you try to please everyone you please no one. However, he was cut off as once a motion is on the floor, further statements are not permitted.
The report will be brought back to council at a later date.
