Winter Maintenance Update: Riverain Park Multi-Use Pathway

Blue = Winter maintained

Red= Not winter maintained

Purple: Winter cycling network. Winter maintained.

Update on Snow Plowing of the Multi-Use Path in Riverain Park 

Since being elected, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and pedestrians have advocated for a number of competing interests for the winter use of the stretch of path along the Rideau River from Montreal Road to the Adawe Crossing at the end of Donald Street.

Pedestrians and cyclists asked for the entire section of path to be plowed from Montreal Road to the foot bridge. (Red line to blue line).

The Rideau River Trail Association would like the section from the parking lot at the end of McArther parking to the Adawe Crossing to be left unplowed for skiing.

Some skiers have also asked that none of the path be plowed, including some who have asked that the Adawe Crossing itself not be plowed.

The red dotted line on the map is, unfortunately, also an active flood plain. Because of this, city staff have advised that it is not safe for their equipment, nor for their operators, nor for the public to plow this particular segment of the path. 

Instead, the upper section of the path (the blue dotted line) from the parking lot at the end of McArther to the Adawe Crossing will be plowed.

Winter Cycling Network

It should be noted that the section of North River Road from Montreal Road to McArthur is part of the winter cycling network. From that point, the winter cycling network will continue to run along the parking lot down to the river path and connecting to the Adawe Crossing. (Purple line into blue line) 

In terms of North River Road, from McArther to Donald, it will be cleared to the same standard as the winter cycling network. Although it is not currently part of the network, staff have advised that they are looking at extending the Winter Cycling network to include that section of North River Road next winter.