'People care about these trails': Sudbury high school students tell city

A group of high school students in Sudbury Ont., are vowing to save a section of trails from being destroyed by a major construction proposal even if that means they have to tie themselves up to trees.

"We love those trails there," said Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Grade 11 student Josh Tillson.

"They're our home almost and like we spend so much time there. It would be huge ifwe were to lose them."

Tillson and his friends recently launched a Change.org petition to stop the proposed extension of South Bay Road, which would create a second access way to Laurentian University.

"We thought like we need to do something to let them [council] know that people care about these trails," Grade 11 student Kelly Thompson said.

"I essentially learned how to ski on the Laurentian trails, so it's played a key part of my life," Grade 12 student Kate Richards said.

Mayor calls petition 'helpful'

Mayor Brian Bigger, however, would not state his opinion on the project because he said he is still waiting for more information about social, economic and environmental factors.

But he thanks the community for thefeedback.

"I think the democratic process is working as designed," Bigger told CBC.

"This is helpful to the city councillors and the mayor's office to understand all of the concerns, and how strongly people feel about preservation of their trail system," he added.

The city could widen Ramsey Lake Road instead of extending South Bay Road or create a different connection, according to the city's director of roads, David Shelsted, but another study needs to be done before that decision is made.

Tillson and his friends plan to attend next Tuesday's council meeting to build up momentum for their cause. They have already sent letters to councillors asking for support.

"We're hoping that kind of sways their opinion," Grade 12 student Alison Caswell said.

"[The trail is] kind of a special part of Sudbury and I wouldn't want to see a road destroy it."