City fences off Strathclair to keep vehicles off soccer, softball fields

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has erected fencing along the Hub Trail in the Strathclair Park area, all in an effort to keep motorized vehicles off of playing surfaces used by the public for softball and soccer. 

SooToday was made aware of the fencing after a cyclist took to social media late last week to voice their displeasure after discovering that access to the Hub Trail along Second Line East was blocked by the fence. A gate near the entrance to Strathclair Sports Complex has since been opened to allow for access to the multi-use trail until the snow flies.    

In an email to SooToday, parks manager Travis Reid Gates said gates allowing for Hub Trail access at both Strathclair Sports Complex and the west end of Strathclair Dog Park are both expected to remain open until the arrival of snow. 

Reid said the decision to fence off Strathclair was made in part to address the risk of motorized vehicles, such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, from entering the area of the sports complex used for soccer. 

The parks manager for the city noted there has also been an influx of people utilizing the winter walking trails on the slow pitch and soccer fields. 

The portion of Hub Trail between St. Mary’s College and Strathclair, meanwhile, will not be maintained over the winter months. 

“Once the snowfall begins and we start plowing Second Line roadway, the section of the Hub Trail extending from the Humane Society to St. Mary’s High School becomes impassable due to the accumulation of snow from the street,” Reid said. “Consequently, this section, leading from Strathclair to the entrance of the Humane Society, would serve little purpose during the winter months.”