ACT Park in the Town of Battleford. (Screenshot/ Google Map)

By Kenneth Cheung

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Battleford building new trail under budget to link ACT Park with riverfront

Jun 4, 2025 | 2:37 PM

A new trail in Battleford will soon connect ACT Park to the town’s riverfront path system — part of a broader push to improve pedestrian safety and walkability.

The Town awarded the contract to K & S Asphalt Services Ltd. for just over $21,000 — well under the $25,000 capital budget — allowing for an additional 16 metres of pathway to improve park access and accommodate a crosswalk.

Mayor Ames Leslie said the project fills a long-standing gap in the town’s pedestrian network.

“It’s been something that we’ve been missing, because either you have to go in at the far side of river bend, or you have to go down at the end of 29th Street. So, this is a nice little access to the river in the middle,” he said.

He noted that the route will make it safer for families walking between the park and the river, especially once a crosswalk is added.

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“It gives the ability for kids and families to come off the river up to the park and as the council has mentioned, there will be a crosswalk there.”

He mentioned that the council also hopes to secure a Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) grant to install flashing lights at the crosswalk to improve pedestrian safety.

The new path, he added, fits with a broader goal to make the town more pedestrian-friendly.

“It’s been a commitment of this council to make the town more walkable. Whether you’ve seen that on sidewalks or walking paths, [they] almost completely go around the whole Town of Battleford now, and we’re just grateful that administration and the parks team have brought this forward.”

Also, the area sees heavy traffic during ball season, and Leslie said providing safer access to the river pathway “just adds another little safety for our residents.”

Construction is expected to wrap up by late July. Town crews completed some preliminary groundwork last year by repurposing dirt from another project to build a ramp.

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