The Grand Trails Project has taken a major step forward with the incorporation of the Grand Watershed Trails Network Inc. (GWTN) as a not-for-profit corporation.
GWTN president Joy O’Donnell announced details of the incorporation on Jan. 10, to a group from various local municipalities and stakeholder organizations located within the Grand River watershed.
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry spoke at the meeting, highlighting the significance of the GWTN as a community-based project that will improve economic opportunities and promote appreciation of local heritage within the watershed.
Guest speaker Patrick Connor, CEO of the Ontario Trails Council, described other trail projects of provincial significance that his organization has supported. Connor laid out the process that will enable the GWTN to develop a trail network from the headwaters of the Grand River near Dundalk to the mouth of the Grand River in Port Maitland.
Municipal involvement
The Grand Watershed Trail Network Inc. has received approval in principle from 10 municipalities from Haldimand County to Wellesley; including the Region of Waterloo and Six Nations of the Grand. Now that it is formally incorporated, the new board aims to continue to gather support through remaining areas of the watershed and will develop a master plan for trail development and connectivity, organizers state in a Jan. 17 press release.
“In order to achieve this vision, our volunteer board is seeking donations to enable us to map existing trails; to start to fill gaps in the network; and to initiate a marketing campaign. This unique trail system will bring people back to the river, to truly appreciate the natural, historical and indigenous heritage of the area. Please consider supporting our GoFundMe Campaign at: gofundme.com/grandwatershedtrailsnetwork,” the release urges.
To learn more about the GWTN and the Grand Trails Project contact Joy O’Donnell, president at 519-758-8488 or email joy@grandfinancial.ca or visit the website at http://www.grandrivertrails.ca.
The GWTN aims to form a network of trails following the Grand River – a designated Canadian Heritage River – and its tributaries, from the source in the Dundalk Highlands to the mouth of the river at Lake Erie. The network will include existing and new, land and water trails.
It will include accessible and serviced destination and experiential trails which will connect communities, places of interest and activities. The network will also provide connections to Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay via other major regional trails in line with the Ontario Trail Strategy.
