Photo Credit: County of Renfrew
It’s not difficult to see why safety is a top priority for the people taking care of the recreation trails connecting the Ottawa Valley.
Taylor Hanrath, Manager of Capital Works with the County of Renfrew, says that making sure you are easily seen at any time of day is key to making the most of the Algonquin Trail this summer.
Hanrath explains that doing something as simple as wearing brighter colours can increase the distance you can be seen by other traffic on the trail by as much as hundreds of feet, and choosing reflective clothing and wearable lights can ensure pedestrians and cyclists stand out as the trail cross through our local communities.
What you wear also matters during extreme weather, and high-visibility gear is an important first step to avoid an accident while you wait out heavy rain or snow.
The Algonquin Trail is currently open from Arnprior to Petawawa, and Hanrath says construction is underway on the final stretch from Garrison Petawawa to Mattawa.
It’s part of the larger Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail, which spans over 296 kilometres through Lanark County, Renfrew County, and Papineau-Cameron Township.
(written by Kasey Egan)