Last push for smoke-free waterfront trail

In this May 2018, file photo, a couple walks along the waterfront trail at the south end of Lamoureux Park in Cornwall, Ont. The Great River Network is asking city council to make the entire trail smoke-free from Power Dam Drive to Gray's Creek. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

CORNWALL – The main proponent behind making a section of the waterfront trail smoke-free will make a last-ditch plea to council tonight (Tuesday).

Patricia O’Hara, chairman of the Great River Network, will make a delegation to council.

Based on a recommendation from staff, city council was not going to make the trail between Power Dam Drive and Gray’s Creek a no smoking zone, but instead put ashtrays out in strategic areas along the trail.

City staff say it would be too difficult to enforce and too confusing to make just part of the trail smoke-free given all the entry points in the trail network.

Coun. Claude McIntosh asked to defer the decision on Sept. 23 to give a chance for O’Hara to speak to council.

The Great River Network – a local eco group – says there’s an “excessive amount” of cigarette butts littered along the green space.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 p.m.