Council approves trail system at South Cameron woodlot in Windsor, Ont.

A new $2.6-million. multi-phase trail system will be built inside part of the South Cameron woodlot, in Windsor, Ont., and it will include paving the paths on the perimeter of area. 

City council approved the project during Monday's council meeting, which sends it to the 2025 budget process. 

Work could start in 2025 depending on how it's funded in the budget, according to administration. 

The trails would be built in multiple phases and consist of boardwalk, asphalt and limestone trails with varying degrees of accessibility.

This area has been noted as a pristine piece of land because it is a wetland that helps prevent flooding and is home to species at risk. 

Patricia McGorman told city council not to go forward with the trail system because she's worried about its possible impact on those species, including the Butler's garter snake.

McGorman took issue with solar lights that would be placed on the trail system in the perimeter of the park. 

"These would add additional negative impacts on this protected natural area."

James Chacko, the city's executive director of parks and facilities, compared the trail system to what is happening at the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

He said all measures are being taken to accommodate the natural area. 

"This is not going to be a paving of the South Cameron woodlot," he assured council.

Chacko said lights will operate at 30 per cent capacity and reach full power whenever a motion sensor is activated.