Member Report
Headingley Grand Trunk Trail
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association is a group of volunteers who , with the support of the RM of Headingley , develop and maintain the Headingley Grand Trunk Trail . The trail travels over 10 kilometres along the old rail bed of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway from the Perimeter Highway to Beaudry Provincial Park . In 2017 , the trail became a spur line of theGreat Trail .
Since the steering committee was established in 2002 , the trail group has gone on to become an official non-profit association completing many exciting projects .
The Headingley Grand Trunk Trail is used by hikers , cyclists , runners , and walkers . There is an active geocaching community that has placed over 40 geocaches on the trail . Each year many events are held on the trail including a International Trails Day event in June . The Association is working to advocate for a safe crossing at the Perimeter Highway to allow for connection between the Grand Trunk Trail and the Harte Trail which would allow active transportation to flow seamlessly from Winnipeg to Headingley and back .
Benches , signs and kiosks have been placed along the trail .
Blue bird boxes have been installed along the trail attracting bluebirds to the area .
A tree project sponsored by Manitoba Hydro allowed 55 trees to be planted along one section of the trail .
The Association ’ s most recent project is the preservation and restoration of a 5 acre piece of remnant prairie that was discovered along the trail . The group has been successful in obtaining protected status for the area from the RM of Headingley and has begun a long term restoration and conservation project . In the spring of 2019 a controlled burn was done and it is hoped that this year some planting and interpretive development will begin .
Annual Report -2019 Year in Review p . 20