It could cost between $800,000 and $1.3 million to address safety concerns on a previously used snowmobile trail in Port Carling.
In Nov. 2023, District of Muskoka council approved a temporary by-law allowing the Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails Association (MLSTA) to use a 1.8 km section of Muskoka Rd. 118 between Brackenrig Rd. and Carr Rd. in Port Carling.
“This resolution was received as a result of a private landowner revoking permission for the MLSTA to access their private property,” wrote Mark Misko, the district’s director of engineering and transportation, in a July 17 report to the Engineering and Public Works Committee. “This revocation essentially severed the existing trail network linking Port Carling with other destinations on the eastern half of Muskoka.”
The temporary rule was established to work around the loss of access to the private property, but Misko says it expired last March.
Now, he explains the MLSTA is asking district council for permission to establish a permanent trail along the stretch of road.
No decision was made by council at the committee meeting, however, Misko recommends in his report the request be denied because of existing safety concerns along the road, which includes rocks obstructing parts of the trail.
He added the safety concerns date back to when the Ministry of Transportation maintained the road and haven’t been properly addressed since the district began managing the area in the late 1990s.
Misko noted the MLSTA has looked at alternative routes but hasn’t been able to find any. He added staff have heard the MLSTA doesn’t have the funds or ability to address the existing safety concerns.
However, one of the alternative options outlined by Misko could, if chosen by council, involve the district making the required improvements to the area, which he estimates could cost as much as $1.3 million, but points out the cost was determined in 2021. “The required funds are likely substantially more,” he continued.
Muskoka Lakes’ Mayor Peter Kelley said he wants to sit down with the MLSTA and see if an alternative solution is possible. “This is an extraordinarily important issue for many people,” he said, pointing out how businesses in the area rely on business from sledders in the winter.
Julie Stevens, the district’s chief administrative officer, said this could be discussed by committee again pending future meetings with the MLSTA.
