Hanover Town Council approved new sidewalks on 22nd Avenue A and plans to fix up the former trail parking area on 24th Avenue at its August 10 meeting. The town will move up to $14,000 from the East End Trail project budget to cover the work.
The decision wraps up months of debate over how to finish the east end loop. Some residents opposed a naturalized trail near their homes, while others backed the original plan, gathering more than 600 signatures on a petition. In the end, council chose the sidewalk route.
“Council approved proceeding with the sidewalk and parking lot work as detailed in the report and approved reallocating up to $14,000 from the approved tax levy commitment for the previous East End Trail project to complete the work,” according to the Town of Hanover.
Mayor Sue Paterson cast the only vote against the sidewalk option, saying she wanted a compromise that would satisfy both sides.
The town will give up a large part of a possible $47,000 grant for the trail because of this choice. Staff said only $8,000 of that grant has been spent on trail rehabilitation so far.
The developer for the Saugeen Cedar Heights West subdivision can build sidewalks along 18th and 19th Street from 22nd to 24th Avenue at no extra cost to the town, which helped sway the decision.
Construction is expected to begin after the August council approval. The current council’s term ends November 14, 2026, with municipal elections set for October.
