Grand Valley Trail Association gets on with repairs thanks to donation
BELWOOD – A donation from Charles Westrik and Rona Elora has helped the Grand Valley Trail Association (GVTA) repair a section of trail near Belwood.
“We are very grateful for Charles’ and Rona Elora’s generous donation,” said Jason Thompson, trail director for the section of trail that runs from Belwood to the Middlebrook bridge.
“Their donation of supplies and materials, (pressure-treated wood, deck screws, paint, etc.) helps GVTA reduce costs associated with higher-level trail maintenance.”
The Grand Valley Trail is a 240km footpath that traverses along the Grand Valley watershed, from Belwood all the way down to Port Maitland at Lake Erie, and it is divided into sections and maintained by the GVTA volunteers.
Many locals and tourists to the area actually use the Grand Valley Trail but may not even know they’re on it or who maintains it, Thompson stated in an email.
White blazes denote the main trail and blue blazes denote side trails, and it runs right through Elora and Fergus.
“GVTA doesn’t own any land, like our big sister the Bruce Trail, so we rely on landowner agreements with private and public land holders,” Thompson added.
Centre Wellington Township allows the trail to run through its property in Confederation Park, the pedestrian bridge by Templin Gardens, along St. Andrew Street and Bissell Park – but it also runs through private land thanks to agreements with private land owners.
The GVTA also has an agreement with the Grand River Conservation Authority that allows GVTA members access to the Elora Gorge Conservation area for a reduced fee.
The association is always on the lookout for new members.
Membership costs $30 per year per household (up to four people), and includes the Elora pass and discounts at some local retailers.
The funds are used for trail maintenance (tools, equipment, fuel, blades, paint, etc.), hike leader training (for guided hikes) and promotional material (GVT guidebook, brochures, banners, etc.).
Donations are also helpful to the GVTA’s operations, Thompson said.
While you don’t have to be a member to hike the trails, officials welcome more members to help with trail maintenance.
GVTA also offers organized, guided hikes for both members and non-members, which is a great way to meet people that have a similar interest in the outdoors, Thompson said.
For those interested in hiking in general or helping out with GVTA events or with trail maintenance, visit gvta.on.ca.
