Huntsville applying for funding to improve active transportation at school zones

Huntsville is seeking federal grant support to expand traffic calming and safety measures around local schools.

Huntsville staff was granted approval from Council to apply for Safe and Active School Routes funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, in the September 22, 2025, Council meeting.

Staff explained that the funding is in line with the Town’s active transportation initiatives and would allow them to improve access to schools, which are already a priority regarding road safety.

According to the staff report, “The District owns many roads that schools are on, and many with shoulders rather than sidewalks “and this can be a barrier to developing active transportation infrastructure.”

The Town currently implemented more traffic calming measures using removable bollard installations at Woodland Heights, Silver Street, and Chaffey Township Road, with success said staff, and the same type of infrastructure is eligible for funding with the grant program for the school zones.

Current location considerations for the new project are Spruce Glen Public School and Riverside Public School said staff. However, they added that they’re still at beginning stages and can make changes as the application process progresses.

The funding program offers a grant that will cover 50% of costs to a maximum of $125,000, indicates the report.

Staff recommended using 2026 funds that have already been allocated towards traffic calming measures and will return to Council with a detailed project plan that fits budget constraints.

They also reported that they will work with the District of Muskoka and Trillium Lakelands District School Board for further planning, installation, and monitoring for efficiency relating to active transportation infrastructure in the community.

Councillor, Dione Schumacher, expressed the importance of considerations for traffic calming measures on the weekends as well as weekdays, as many families still used the school playgrounds during those times.

She added that in general the plan is “a good step toward making our community overall safe.”

Councillor, Monty Clouthier, said, “95% of schools have traffic calming measures… They work.”

Councillor, Helena Renwick, indicated that permanent installations also mean winter maintenance, however, “the potential to make something interesting and safe for our students is exciting.”