Sudbury’s Kivi Park looks to create 56km trail to Killarney

A plan is in the works to create a hiking trail from Greater Sudbury to Killarney, utilizing Kivi Park, which has a number of trails throughout its 480 acres.

Kivi Park in Greater Sudbury is hoping to add a 56-kilometre backcountry route connecting its 480-acre property to Killarney Provincial Park.

The trail would start at Linton Lake in Kivi’s south end near Crawley Lake. The route would travel south through wooded terrain and Crown land, ending at Bell Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.

It would include parts of the La Cloche Silhouette.

“Bookending Kivi Park and Killarney in between this beautiful trail is just going to be huge for the north and for drawing people from down south to come check out what a beautiful place the north is,” said Kivi Park executive director Kerry Lamarche.

Several campsites would be created on Crown land where hikers could spend the night during their two-day journey.

Autumn Dowdall, Kivi’s community partnerships coordinator, said she’s gone backcountry hiking and camping at least a dozen times before.

“I love backcountry camping and hiking because it’s not usually full of people and you’re one with nature,” Dowdall said.

“It’s really nice -- you never know what you’re going to see.”

She said she’s excited to see Kivi’s backcountry route get approval.

“It’ll be nice to venture out and then find out for yourself how it is and if you like it. It’s something new and exciting,” Dowdall said.

The trail isn’t a done deal. Notices have been issued to neighbours in case there are concerns.

“They get to provide some feedback on whether they support the trail, whether they have some concerns,” Lamarche said.

“Then, as part of the process, we address those concerns.”

Province reviewing the proposal

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks said they are reviewing the plan.

“We are currently continuing to review information related to this proposal,” spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a brief email.

If the project gets final approval, Lamarche said they’ll move into the fundraising phase, adding that Kivi Park would like to raise a portion of the $3-million price tag.

Lamarche said there could be provincial funding given the connection to the ministry.

It would take two years to cut the trail. Lamarche said they would use minimally invasive equipment for that process.

The expected completion date is 2030.