WATERLOO REGION - The popular Kissing Bridge Trailway will remain open for the public to enjoy.

"This is very welcome news," said Regional Chair Karen Redman.

The region was concerned because it looked like the Ontario government might declare the Guelph to Goderich former railway line land as surplus, potentially leading to selling it off to private owners.

The region sent a letter to the province in June urging it to pause the disposition process and ensure the corridor remains in public or nonprofit ownership for public use.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, parliamentary assistant to the minister of natural resources and forestry, said he was told Wednesday it was decided the province will maintain ownership.

"It's certainly good news," Harris said. "I know there were a lot of concerned constituents."

The Kissing Bridge Trailway was created by Waterloo Region and Wellington County. The municipalities together obtained a lease in 1997 on the 44.5-kilometre stretch between Guelph and Millbank to develop a multi-use recreational trail.

Passing by West Montrose and Elmira in Waterloo Region, the Kissing Bridge Trailway is part of the 148-kilometre Guelph to Goderich Trail.

When regional council approved the plan on June 18 to petition the province, Redman said it would be "a real travesty" to break up the system.

A regional report warned that if the province opens up the corridor for sale to adjoining property owners, it would be the end of both the Kissing Bridge and Guelph to Goderich trails as property owners would likely buy and fence the property, restricting public access.

Encroachments onto the trail's right of way by neighbouring landowners in the Elmira and Ariss areas have occurred in recent years, and regional staff continue to work with landowners to resolve the issue.

While Redman said it's encouraging that the province is holding onto the trail lands, she said the next step is getting a longer term lease than the current five years to allow long-term planning and investment for improvements along the trail. The current lease is up for renewal in 2020.

She'd like to see a lease of at least 20 years.

The possibility of losing the trail galvanized the community and Redman said the region must do what it can to provide more predictability for the valued public asset. Three bridges along the trail need replacing or repairs and there's already been community fundraising to cover those costs.

"People have invested in the trail and feel a great deal of community ownership," she said.

Harris said the province's consultations with municipalities and groups who maintain the trail will figure out the best way forward. "These are ongoing conversations."

Wayne Buck was relieved to hear the province shelved the plan when he contacted Harris' office to ask about the trail's fate this week.

The New Hamburg man is an avid hiker and walker who regularly makes the drive to the Kissing Bridge Trailway. Buck has walked the trail from Wallenstein to Guelph with hiking friends.

"We just don't have enough trails," he said. "We need more and to think they might close one was really upsetting."

jweidner@therecord.com

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- 'Kissing bridge' gets stamp of approval