Body: Council Type: Document Meeting: Committee Date: 2026 Collection: Agenda Attachments Municipality: Frontenac County
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/frontenac-county/Item Attachments/Agenda Item/2025/September/Staff Briefing Richard Allen Manager of Economic Development will take the Committee through the 2026-2030 Business Plan for the KP Tra/2026-2030 Business Plan for the Frontenac K&P Trail.pdf)
Document Text
2026 – 2030 Business Plan Frontenac K&P Trail
Current State • • • • • • •
78 km operating from Orser Road to Snow Road Station 63 km available for motorized use during the summer months 2025 was the first-year permits were required for summer motorized use. Estimated 191,578 visits to the trail in 2024 Equal split between cycling, hiking, motorized as well as other uses such as horseback riding, cross-country skiing. Staffing: Manager of Economic Development and 1 contract Project Manager for capital projects. Operating Budget: $180,000/year • •
Includes Marketing and Promotion $30,000 contributed by partners organizations in 2025
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Accomplishments • • •
2025 User survey completed with 311 responses Acquisition of Trail Corridor in North Frontenac is substantially complete. Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Partnership growth New Brand Roadmap to 2030
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Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Over 20 events on the K&P Trail in 2025 (primarily organized by Frontenac ATV Club) Successful implementation of permit requirement for ATV’s & Side by Side vehicles.
Capital Development • • •
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Emergency Replacement of the Antoine Creek Trail Bridge to be completed in October. Additional bridge replacements may be required in 2026 Trail upgrades are planned for Snow Road Station to Wilbur in 2026.
Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop This project has vision of establishing the “loop” as a signature trail experience in eastern Ontario, ready to be promoted internationally by 2030. In 2026, Partners will focus on engagement with businesses and communities along the loop route. The planned work in North Frontenac will help relieve a key gap identified in the assessment. Partners: • Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization • County of Renfrew • County of Lanark • Town of Smiths Falls • Township of Rideau Lakes • Cataraqui Conservation
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Selected 2025 Events May 11: ATV Club Ride to Wheeler’s June 14: Back Road ATV Poker Run July 12: ATV Ride to Calabogie July 21: Kick & Push Century Ride August 23: Light Up the Night ATV Ride Picadilly to Sharbot Lake September 14: ATV Club Ride to Calabogie
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
2025 Trail User Survey • • • • •
June 16 – July 24, 2025 311 Responses Responses dominated by cyclists and pedestrians Most use the trail 2–3 times per month Usually 0–40 km round trip
Feedback Highlights: • Desire for increased amenities • Requests for improved signage : maps, distances, business info, etiquette. • Trail maintenance highly praised, but with some requests for pothole repair, erosion control, vegetation trimming. • About half of survey respondents stop at local businesses; value welcoming, bike/pet-friendly services.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Implications for Business Planning 2026-2030
- Consider Investment in trail-adjacent amenities ( water refill stations, public washrooms, shaded seating).
- Enhance signage & wayfinding to capture more off-trail business traffic.
- Develop Trail-Friendly Business Standards/Toolkit (bike racks, pet-friendly, inclusive service)
- Attract more Trail-side businesses (food trucks, cafes, restaurants, convenience stores)
- Strengthen business partnerships and Trail Town efforts (expanded trail sign program, collaborative marketing)
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Planned Trail Economy Projects • •
Trail Etiquette Initiative Rail Trail Loop • • •
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Trail Towns Engagements Branding and Marketing Campaigns Governance and Policy alignment
Policies • •
Adjacent Land Uses Management Plan Update
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Planned Capital Projects 2026-2030
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
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Rehabilitation of K&P Trail from Snow Road Station to County Boundary (Estimated $500,000)
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Bridge repairs identified for completion in the short term by 2024 OSIM inspections: Hardwood Creek in Verona Fish Creek in Tichborne Black Creek in Mississippi Station Bolton Creek at Clarendon Station Cranberry Creek at Snow Road Station (Estimated $1,500,000)
Risk: Lack of Capital Resources Level
Issue
Risk
Lack of Capital Resources
Mitigation • • •
Focus remaining trail development funds on completing the trail connection to Lanark County (however, the current CCBF reserve does not have enough funds to complete this work) Seek strategic partnerships on bridge projects Consider allocating other funding available to the County or creating new funding mechanisms to support Trails.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Caution: Liability Level
Issue
Caution
Liability
Mitigation • • • •
Adhere to the policies and procedures set out in the K&P Trail Management Plan and update as necessary. Sign language must indicate “recreational trail” and “use at own risk” Clear parameters must be set about appropriate uses and behaviours, and these must be posted at trail entrances. Develop a training program and volunteer program to ensure partners and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities and how to fulfill them.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
Questions?
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2026 - 2030
