An Arnprior community project three years in the making has come to fruition thanks to the generosity and co-operation of a number of businesses and individuals.
The Arnprior Station Rest Stop, located alongside the Algonquin Trail in Arnprior at the park on the corner of Meehan, John and William, is complete and ready for visitors.
Arnprior County Coun. Dan Lynch, a key organizer of the project, explains that the rest stop consists of a covered kiosk, located at the site of the former train station, as well as several large rocks visitors can sit on and park beside. There’s plenty of useful information on display, says Lynch.
There are also boxes with paper copies of a local cycling map and a Town of Arnprior map.
Lynch said the idea was first born three years with a discussion with the county’s director of development and property and former mayor Walter Stack about the property. The decision to create a park was made and then, following a more recent presentation from Ron Moss of the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance, the vision for the kiosk began to take shape.
Among the many contributions from project partners is a special donation.
And the rest stop is already being used, said Lynch, who has had to restock the maps and has seen considerable activity at the kiosk.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, he encountered a gentleman and his son from just outside Winnipeg who were travelling across Canada. They said the trail was great, asked about where to go to eat locally and picked up a map to plan a route to Ottawa.
Lynch said the project was done at no cost to the town or county and he is grateful to all those who contributed.
A plaque affixed to the kiosk recognizes those who contributed, including: Miller Aggregrates, Rona, Wolf System, Paul Neil Trucking, Hughes Brittle Printing, Home Hardware, Milliken Landscaping, Arnprior Glass, Cold Bear Brewing, The Toner family, the Box family, the Lynch family, The England family, the McLean family, Bonnie Giles, Arnprior McNab Braeside Archives, and Gilk’s Signs.
Lastly, Lynch has a suggestion for those who might have some nostalgia for days gone by.
(Written by: Sherry Haaima)
