Walking the path to healthy living

Headingley Grand Trunk Trail will provide a safe, beautiful option for outdoor leisure

How do you encourage people to stay active in an age in which driving has replaced walking and watching TV has triumphed over playing sports?

Sure, there are gyms popping up all over the place, but not everyone wants to shell out $40 to $50 a month for a membership. And let’s face it, with our long, cold Manitoba winters, most people want to be outside in the summer months.

Is there a way to enjoy Mother Nature and get fit at the same time?

Of course there is. Karl Gompf has found one in Headingley, and he’s hard at work encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

“I’ve always been interested in the outdoors and recreational activities,” Gompf says.

Fond of long walks, Gompf often strolled along the abandoned rail line through Headingley and one day the wheels began turning in his head.

“(The rail line) really wasn’t known or used by anybody,” he said.

“It was kind of spurned by people working on other trails, but I thought we could get a trail going here.”

That was back in 2002, and Gompf has been hard at work ever since.

He and other trail advocates and enthusiasts formed Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association, came up with a business plan and set to work on developing a properly groomed outdoor nature trail for the Headingley area.

“This is something that’s really worthwhile for a community,” Gompf said.

So far, he has been amazed at the support for the trail.

“There’s a lot more emphasis on healthy living and environmental issues; this is a good time to work on a project like this.”

When finished this fall, the former rail line will be a non-motorized, multi-use recreation, conservation, and heritage trail, intended for use by hikers, cyclists, bird watchers, naturalists, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, dog sledders, and horseback riders.

Janice Lukes, coordinator for the Winnipeg Trails Association, says that — while trails have been developed in Manitoba for the past 10 years or so — the trend has really taken off in the past couple of years.

“There’s been a combination of people being more vocal about it and people being more concerned for the environment,” she said.

The goal of Winnipeg Trails Association is to have a complete network of trails through the city and surrounding areas. Their aim is well in sight, as a total of 23 trails are complete or under development in the province.

“We’ve got really good momentum,” Lukes said. “Everything seems to be coming together.”

Headingley Grand Trunk Trail is in its third year of development, and when complete will meet up with Harte Trail in Charleswood, connecting Headingley to Winnipeg.

“Trail development would include the laying of gravel, signage, and possibly planting some trees,” Gompf said .

Although the trail is not officially complete, some areas are done, and Gompf encourages people to check out the work that’s been done so far.

“For trail people this is the time of year to get out there,” he said.

The trail is expected to officially open in fall of this year.

Memberships in the Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association are $10 per person or $15 per family. All fees go to trail development. Call Karl at 832-2177 for more information.