WATERLOO REGION - Waterloo Region plans to petition the province to keep the Kissing Bridge Trailway open for the public to enjoy.

The region is concerned about indications the Ontario government may be headed to declaring the Guelph to Goderich former railway line land as surplus, potentially leading to selling off the land the trail is located on.

"I think to break up the system would be a real travesty," said Regional Chair Karen Redman.

The Kissing Bridge Trailway was created by Waterloo Region and Wellington County. Together, they obtained a lease in 1997 on the 44.5-kilometre stretch between Guelph and Millbank to develop a multi-use recreational trail. It makes up part of the 148-kilometre Guelph to Goderich Trail.

In Waterloo Region, the trail passes by West Montrose and Elmira.

The region plans to ask the province to pause the disposition process for the Guelph to Goderich rail trail land and ensure the corridor remains in public or nonprofit ownership for public use. Also, it would like the province to consider a longer lease term than the current five years when the region renegotiates renewal to allow long-term planning and investment for improvements along the Kissing Bridge trail.

The report, presented to the region's planning and works committee on Tuesday, warned that if the province opens up the corridor for direct sales 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.

Raising the profile of the trailway has been a focus of the annual Spring on the Trail event. 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 local landowners to resolve the issue.

jweidner@therecord.com

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