EZT council looking at walking trails around stormwater ponds in Tavistock and Innerkip

By Lee Griffi

East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) council has asked township staff to investigate the development of new walking trails.

Coun. Steven Van Wyk brought a notice of motion to Wednesday morning’s regular council meeting which was passed by council.

“That council direct staff to include in the proposed 2027 budget the necessary funding and associated work for the development of a walking path at one stormwater management pond in Tavistock (Pond 5) and one stormwater management pond in Innerkip, for consideration during the 2027 budget.”

Van Wyk said the goal is to allow the public to access the area in the Southbridge Estates development behind homes located on Moonstone Street.

“This would be to allow the public to use the current maintenance trail. I am not asking for it all the way around, just the existing one and what cost would be involved. Obviously, we need some planting of shrubs for a living wall. I assume there would be some signage.”

Coun. Scott Rudy asked if a trail near a stormwater pond contravened any rules or regulations. Township clerk Meagan Vader said staff has talked with EZT’s insurance provider in terms of what safety measures would need to be implemented.

“If a child was to fall into a wet pond and we haven’t properly fenced and signed it, our insurance company has said we would not be covered for that and we would be on our own for any liability in that case. Just something council would need to consider when they go down that path in terms of what the fencing and path could look like.”

Van Wyk said he looked at the provincial regulations, and a living fence is possible.

“There are ways to do it, and neighbouring municipalities have done it. Obviously, there will be a cost involved, but what is that? Against headwalls where (the land) is really steep, you might need permanent fencing there.”

A living fence is a boundary or barrier made primarily from living plants, rather than wood, vinyl or metal.

Director of infrastructure and community services Tom Lightfoot said the township is also looking at utilizing another stormwater pond on the 14th Line for a walking trail. There was no mention of having any public consultation on the plan at the Sept. 2 East Zorra-Tavistock council meeting.

The passing of the motion comes nearly a year after councillors approved a controversial walking trail behind homes on Janelle Drive in Tavistock. At that time, homeowners complained about the lack of any public consultation.

“As to the comment that it could be a social experience and a chance to visit with people, I would suggest that I enjoy doing my visiting in the front yard, where the street is, and not my back yard, which is my sanctuary, my peaceful private space,” said Jenelle Drive resident Jeanne Bender who added her privacy was being infringed on.

“It is inconsiderate to take that from us. … I suspect that trail users would find it much more interesting to see what is going on in backyards than the weeds in a ditch and corn growing in a field.”

Two members of council voted against that trail, including Mayor Phil Schaefer, who explained he appreciated the need and is supportive of walking trails, but felt the Janelle Drive location didn’t meet the necessary criteria.

“If our intent is to ensure the proper functioning of this infrastructure, and I believe it is, I don’t think it’s ideal to open the gates to widespread public access, which could interfere with that. Having it run behind established homes is an issue.”

Schaefer admitted privacy is never guaranteed but added it is something that should be cherished.