More wetland and a cycling trail to ride through it are on the way for Holiday Beach in Amherstburg.
The Essex Regional Conservation Authority has approved the first phase of the $75,000 project.
Fundraising for wetland restoration and construction of the new trail will come courtesy of the Amherstburg Community Foundation.
ERCA General Manager Richard Wyma says the foundation has already raised $30,000 to get work on the wetland underway in the coming weeks.
"It's a really exciting project and Amherstburg Community Foundation has been so supportive and so incredible to help us move that project forward," he says.
Wyma says the next phase can get under way in the spring.
"It gives us enough support that we can go ahead this winter and actually start building the wetland so we can have the materials in place," he says.
The proposed cycling trail to be constructed at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area near Amherstburg. (Photo courtesy of Essex Regional Conservation Authority)
The beach at the conservation area was closed most of the summer due to high waters, so Wyma says it's more important than ever to add more activities for residents.
"Had an opportunity to work with University of Windsor Alumni Association around some of our outdoor classrooms, with Enbridge around a natural playground we're putting in ... so when the community foundation came forward it was a really great partnership to find another opportunity," added Wyma.
Wyma says the wetland construction will cost $30,000, with next summer's trail design and development costing $25,000.
Landscaping will cost around $20,000, but no timeline is set on the completion of that phase.