The waterfront trail extension from Centennial to Bain Park will create a new travel corridor for pedestrians and cyclists that will connect the downtown to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, and provide access to both Centennial Park and Bain Park. The trail extension is approximately 1.7 km in length and will connect to the existing 2.5 km multi-use asphalt pathway that runs through Centennial park and links to downtown Trenton. The extension will include similar features to the existing trail such as continuing the existing asphalt mutli-use pathway and the installation of benches, signage, fencing and landscaping. The scope of work also outlines additional provisional items. Extending the waterfront trail will expand the municipality’s active transportation assets, create a link between major employment areas, and result in more opportunities for residents to shift away from motorized vehicles towards more environmentally friendly modes of transportation (i.e., cycling, walking).

This project is being partially funded by the Government of Canada’s Active Transportation Fund. Through that agreement, the design of the waterfront trail extension must include the following features: 

• 1.7 km of an asphalt multi-use pathway
• 450 metres of fencing 
• 2 culverts 
• 10 bike racks
• 20 benches
• 140 trees / shrubs
• 3 trailhead signs

Other features shall include an open-space pergola structure, pollinator gardens, and additional wayfinding trail signage. The City is open to considering other features that would enhance the overall design and user experience. 

Design & Construction Timeline

The landscape design for this project is to be completed by the selected contractor with the features as outlined in the deliverables and in accordance with the City’s in-house engineering design of the multi-use asphalt path including specifications of the culverts and solar lighting.

The funding being provided by the Government of Canada Active Transportation Fund has a substantial completion date of December 31, 2026. 

The preliminary design concept (30%) shall be completed by June 1, 2026 and the final design drawings and specifications shall be completed no later than July 31, 2026.

Commencement of construction work will immediately follow the final approved design and with substantial completion on or before December 31, 2026 with final completion on or before May 1st, 2027.

The design of the waterfront trail extension is to work in conjunction with the design of the asphalt multi-use path that includes a 2.4m x 1.2m concrete culvert, two 525mm diameter CSP culverts and solar lighting along the trail.