A future community and family trail takes shape in Sutton

Rooted in values of land stewardship and shaped through a consultation process involving over 400 people, the project aims to offer a trail that reflects the community’s values. It was included specific consultations with numerous landowners, who raised major concerns relating to privacy, traffic, agricultural uses and control of the territory. Given these issues, which ruled out the idea of developing trails on private land, other options had to be considered.

This led to the selection of the Westwood Loop: an 8.7 km route that follows a closed former municipal road (1.5 km) and existing rural roads, minimizing ecological impact while ensuring a safe and accessible experience. Already used informally despite muddy, uneven conditions, the proposed trail meets several citizen-driven priorities:

• Integrated and eco-responsible: enhancement of an existing path, preservation of sensitive natural environments and control of invasive plants;
  
• Accessible and conducive to active mobility: route suitable for all ages and all types of users (walkers, cyclists, horseback riders, strollers);
  
• Educational and cultural: collaboration with Heritage Sutton and PENS to highlight local history and raise environmental awareness;
  
• Sustainable: built on public land, ensuring long-term durability.

A rigorous, inclusive and innovative approach

This project stems from a structured and collaborative process supported by the Living Lab in Open Innovation (LLIO), affiliated with the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup. In 2024, an advisory committee and three thematic working groups – Traces, Culture, and Terroir – enriched the vision. The process included three public presentations, over 100 individual meetings, the development of ecological criteria, corridor analyses, Indigenous awareness training, a sustainable tourism survey, and greenhouse gas (GHG) awareness tools, and much more.

In April 2025, following cross-analyses (environmental, logistical, legal, etc.) conducted with municipal departments, the Westwood route was selected. Preparatory work is underway with PENS and the Town of Sutton’s Public Works and Fixed Assets Department, including accessibility adjustments (in collaboration with the Kéroul organization) and an ecological evaluation led by Isabelle Grégoire (Fiducie foncière du Mont Pinacle). At the same time, in response to concerns expressed by a group of nearby residents, a constructive dialogue was initiated to find solutions and work toward a collective understanding. Respect for the land and for the coexistence of different types of users is central to the project.

Open to citizen participation

The project is part of the Taking Care of Our Destination Together and Parcours d’hier à demain initiatives, supported by the Quebec government. It also enhances the revision of Sutton’s active routes (see map) in line with the Town’s Family and Seniors Policy.

Work began this week, and the trail is scheduled to open at the end of this fall.

This will be the culmination of a concrete project for active, sustainable, and inclusive mobility in Sutton for generations to come!

👉 To follow the project: revons.sutton.ca