WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?: ‘99 Steps’ at Thornton Bales near Newmarket under construction

Trails, conservation area, parking lot closed until Sept. 4

Yorkregion.com
August 21, 2020

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is working to make Thornton Bales accessible.

JUST THE FACTS

Location: Thornton Bales (known as "99 Steps"), 1260 19th Sideroad, King Township.

Thornton Bales has an elevation drop of about 54 metres from the south to north end of the natural area.

Construction started on Aug. 16 and is expected to be complete by Sept. 4. The parking lot and entire trail in the conservation area will be closed during construction.

The project includes removing the old steps from the parking lot, as well as building a new accessible lookout and 100-metre trail from the parking lot and a cycle station.

The lookout will allow those with mobility challenges to take in the view of the forest.

Cyclists will be able to park their bikes and walk to the lookout. The cycle station will be at the old maintenance access west of the parking lot.

The budget for the project is about $40,000, funded through Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation.