Trail News
Keep up to date on the Bluewater Trails
Oct 1, 2024
Looking forward to the new year when we expect the HWNT that abuts the Rapids Parkway Extension will be open officially and the Rapids Parkway will be fully connected to Exmouth Street. This will mean the full commissioning of the Rapids Roundabout that creates easier access to Quinn Drive and all of the commercial operations along that stretch. This will also lessen congestion along Exmouth near the Mall. This project was imagined in the late 1970’s and will finally come to fruition.
Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Courteous- Trail Etiquette
Stay Right
– Always keep to the right of the trail, particularly if you are traveling at a slower speed.
Pass Safely
– Always pass others on their left.
– Cyclists must use their bell or give a friendly, verbal warning before passing another cyclist or pedestrian.
– Cyclists should keep their speed low when passing pedestrians.
Keep Your Distance
– Respect the space of others. Maintain at least two metres, or one bike length, between yourself and those not in your household.
– Be extra cautious when cycling around older adults, children and pets.
Be Seen and Be Safe
– Make sure your bike has a light and reflectors that can be seen by others.
– Wear a bike helmet. In an accident, helmets greatly reduce the risk of injury or even death. While it is required for anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding their bike, it is strongly recommended that everyone riding their bike wear a helmet.
Be Aware of Others
– When approaching a sharp turn on your bike that obstructs your view, approach slowly, use your bell or give a verbal warning and proceed when clear to do so.
– Don’t block the trail. If stopping for a break, pull off to the side or off of the trail completely, allowing trail traffic to continue safely.
– Make sure that you can hear what’s going on around you, especially while you’re listening to music, talking or texting on your phone, or chatting with your walking buddy.
– Keep your dog on-leash and make sure they are well-behaved at all times.
Parking
There is limited parking at the trail gateways at Modeland Rd., Suncor Nature Way on Modeland Rd., Michigan Ave (across from Goodwill), and Cathcart Park. The Howard Watson Trail can also be accessed from the Lambton College parking lot, which connects directly with the new College Extension of the trail. The trail can also be accessed at the Swiss Chalet/Starbucks parking lot on London Road. The plaza there has ample parking and the trail runs directly adjacent to the lot on the eat side.
Recent Trail Improvements
- pedestrian crossings with LED flashing lights at Front Street, Michigan Ave and Wellington St, complete with road markings and warning signs
- full stoplights and marked crossing at Exmouth Street trail crossing
- enhanced road marking on crossings at Telfer and Blackwell Roads
- resurfacing of trail from Michigan Ave. north to Bright’s Grove
- year-round washroom facility at Cathcart Park and Suncor Nature Way. Seasonal at Sam McRea Firehall on Telfer Road
- improved access from trail to Cathcart Park
- improved access from Tawny Road access path to trail
- gateways at Michigan Ave and Modeland Road equipped with shelters, parking spaces, benches and waste receptacles
- extensive tree plantings
- installation of trail markers at strategic locations
The Bluewater Trails Committee for the term 2021-2023 has been selected by City Council and the members’ names and contact information are available here at https://www.bluewatertrails.com/committee-members/
NOTE: We are seeing increasing instances of folks leaving plastic bags containing pet waste deposited along or near the trails. Please don’t do that. The city has no program to clean this up. It’s your pet, so clean-up is your responsibility. Please have consideration for the many other people who use our trails.
The Howard Watson Trail, part of the Bluewater Trails network of trails, runs 16 km. from Sarnia to Camlachie (at Mandaumin). No motorized vehicles are allowed.
Read all about the Rapids Parkway Extension, including the work involved, timelines, rationale, impacts on the Howard Watson Trail, and images depicting the final result:A full public input process was conducted (regarding the Rapids Pkwy Extension) in 2019. Read about it at https://www.bluewatertrails.com/rapids-parkway-extension/
The trails, especially Howard Watson, are experiencing a high number of daily users. Peak hours are 10am-4pm. Avoid crowds by going in off-peak hours. Also, keep your pet on a leash. There is a $300 fine for unleashed pets and if your pet injures another trail user, you could be subject to legal action and liable for larger financial costs. And leave NOTHING BEHIND on the trail, including trash and dog waste.
Until 1967, the Howard Watson trail was a rail line owned by CN Rail. From 1967 to 1982 it lay unused until a forward thinking Councillor by the name of Howard Watson approached Lambton Wildlife Inc (LWI) querying whether there would be interest in the land as a potential hiking trail. After extraordinary effort by many individuals, we now enjoy the current day natural trail known as The Howard Watson Trail.