The Rural Municipality of Gimli is calling on residents to share their feedback on the future of local outdoor spaces and community facilities as planning initiatives move forward this spring.
Municipal leaders are currently seeking public input on the Draft Trails Master Plan, which aims to guide the development of pathways throughout the region. Residents can complete an online survey via the Rural Municipality of Gimli website until April 15, 2026. This survey, also promoted on the municipality’s social media channels, is intended to help officials refine the plan before it is finalized.
The draft plan was prepared by HTFC Planning & Design, a landscape architecture firm hired by the municipality following community workshops that began in 2024. A central element of the proposal involves the 36.2-kilometre Rail Trail, a former rail line that has been a point of long-standing discussion in the community. While the trail was originally gifted to the municipality in 2004 under an agreement intended to keep summer usage limited to non-motorized activities, all three options currently presented in the draft plan would allow off-road vehicles on all or parts of the trail.
The Active Trails Advisory Committee, which has advocated for non-motorized transportation in the area since 2019, has raised concerns regarding the proposed motorized use. Their objections cite potential noise, environmental impacts, and difficulty for pedestrians and cyclists navigating the terrain. For those interested in reviewing the details, the materials presented at an open house held at the Gimli Recreation Centre on March 26, 2026, remain available for online viewing.
In addition to the trails project, the municipality is working on a Recreation Campus Master Plan. Overseen by Brenna Philp, the Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, this initiative focuses on revitalizing facilities at the local recreation centre, including the potential addition of a new fitness centre. These projects are part of a broader strategy led by the municipal council to enhance community services.
