Light rain didn't stop about 30 people from celebrating improvements to a portion of the Howard Watson Nature Trail late Thursday morning.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and pigeon release was held at the entrance off Michigan Ave.
City of Sarnia Manager of Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Patti Ross says the Gateway Project included the addition of 65 trees, a parking area, enhanced green space, a rest area and accessible trail access.
She says there is still a bit of work to do.
"Shawn McKnight and Return The Landscape is going to help us coordinate some naturalization through here," says Ross. "I believe they have approximately 1,500 plants that we're hoping to install in this area hopefully next month."
CN Police Inspector Scott McCallum says the 2016 CN EcoConnexions 'From the Ground Up" program provided $22,000 in grant money for the project, which was matched by Bluewater Trails.
"Sarnia was one of 31 communities who were chosen in 2016 to receive a grant form CN as part of the EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program," says McCallum. "That was a program that was launched in 2012 as part of our continuing focus on the environment and its sustainability."
The former rail right of way was purchased by the St. Clair Conservation Foundation in 1982 from CN.
The Gateway Project was the latest in $265,000 worth of improvements that have been done to the Howard Watson Nature Trail this year.
