Dear Editor:
Ontario is cautiously “reopening,” following the most extraordinary and challenging number of weeks that most of us have experienced in our lives. Our individual and collective behaviour has been altered as we adapt to a new reality. Virtually all health professionals are encouraging us to spend more time outside for our physical and mental wellbeing.
We are very fortunate in Wellington County to have had for the past 27 years a priceless resource, the Elora Cataract Trailway (ECT). Every year, many thousands of residents and visitors have walked, run, cycled, ridden horses, snowmobiled or cross country skied along it.
There was a collective sigh of relief within the wider community when the Grand River and Credit Valley Conservation Authorities reopened the balance of the trailway some two weeks ago. The GRCA and the Township of Centre Wellington had made a wise decision to reach an agreement permitting the busy Elora-Fergus section to reopen prior to the rest of the trail reopening. Indeed the trailway does link the two watersheds and some seven communities along its 47km length.
As part of a comprehensive newly released map of the Trailway (found online at www.trailway.org or as a hard copy), also incorporating the recently upgraded and ever-popular Trestle Bridge Trail, a vital User’s Code is included.
Given the new imperative of maintaining physical distancing, proper trailway etiquette is even more critical than ever. It remains a multi-use trail, and as such, we must all be respectful, alerting others to our presence and provide ample room. A good example is to use your bike bell when passing other trail users.
With warmer weather, families will use the trail even more, with most youngsters not attending regular classes, it provides a terrific opportunity to embrace the beauties of our landscape.
This wonderful lengthy linear park is a gem. It is no exaggeration to say it is a critical tie that serves to bind us together and contribute to our wellbeing, particularly now.
Enjoy it and see you on the trail.
Rick Goodfellow,
Board member, Elora Cataract Trailway Association