Trailside Highlights 2018-19

Together, we’ve created the world’s longest network of recre­ational, multi-use trails. However, we’re only getting started. With the support of donors, volunteers and governments, we continue to ensure the Trail is a Canadian legacy that we can all take pride in.

Alberta


Along the Athabasca Landing Trail, TCT supported the development of a new greenway across Colinton Bridge. Additionally, a greenway along the Strathcona County North Trail was completed. Further north, a new bridge along the Des Nedhé Discovery Trail was constructed in partnership with Smith’s Landing First Nation.


In June, we hosted a special event and hike at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park to thank local Trail groups for their tireless work to enhance the Trail throughout the province. In November, we joined West Bragg Creek Trail Association for the official opening of the West Bragg Creek Trail near Calgary.


This fiscal year, the Town of Cochrane received financial support to create and install three trailheads, which included maps and The Great Trail branding. Additional projects included new signage along the Trail in Lacombe County and in Colinton.

British Columbia


We supported the development of a highway underpass along the Elk Valley Trail in Sparwood, creating a safe cross¬ing for pedestrians and cyclists. In Cranbrook, we helped to construct a new greenway connecting Cranbrook Community Forest to the Chief Isadore Trail. Additionally, four kilometres of greenway for mountain bikers were constructed between Castlegar and Nelson.


The TCT pavilion on Granville Island in Vancouver was renovated. In addition, a Point Zero marker was installed at Clover Point in Victoria – the westernmost point of The Great Trail. In Langford, a new interpretive sign was installed with the assistance of Clif Bar.

Manitoba


Four new kilometres of greenway were added to the Trail north of the Town of Bélair this year. Additionally, the parking lot and washroom facilities near the Pinawa Trail were upgraded to ensure ease of use. Significant progress was also made on moving a section of the Trail to greenway along Penniac Bay.


TCT, Trails Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg were proud to unveil new donor recognition signage at the Forks in September 2018. This new installation honours the many donors who have supported the Trail in the province. Various rebranding projects were also completed along sections of the Trail in the province, and the Town of Neepawa installed a new trailhead with design assistance from TCT.

New Brunswick


TCT supported critical repairs to re-open a section of the Wolastoq Trail after a severe washout. TCT supported vital improvement and repairs to flood-damaged sections of the Trail in the communities of Hampton and Edmundston.


The Great Trail is going global! Last year, the Coastal Link Feasibility Study examined the possibility of a connection between The Great Trail and the East Coast Greenway in Maine. We are excited about this potential opportunity, and look forward to seeing this project develop.


The Wolastoq Trail was recognized as one of New Brunswick’s 11 Signature Trails as part of the province’s Trail Action Plan.


The Town of Hampton received funding and assistance for the installation of a trailhead and other signage.

Newfoundland and Labrador


When an aging bridge over the Freshwater River on the East Coast Trail posed safety issues, TCT provided funding to replace it with a new one. We also supported the installation of new infrastructure at the Spout Path Camp Site.


The Newfoundland T’Railway Council has been involved with Trans Canada Trail since the beginning of this national project, and we were thrilled to support the installation of new signage along the Newfoundland T’Railway.

Northwest Territories


Working with the community of Tulita, TCT supported the construction of the Two Rivers Trail. In Inuvik, the Boot Lake Trail now provides all-season access to Trail users.


New trilingual signs in Gwich’in, Inuvialuit and English were installed along the Boot Lake Trail. Separately, the renova¬tion of the Yellowknife pavilion was completed and signs with The Great Trail logo were installed across the city.

Nova Scotia


Three new bridges were constructed in Chezzetcook, allowing the nearby roadway to be converted to greenway. In Cape Breton, water access points at Skye River and Goat Island were upgraded along the picturesque Bras d’Or Lake Water Route, while another access point in North Sydney was also constructed.


The TCT pavilion in Halifax was renovated, and the Atlantic View Trail also received interpretive panels that recognize the contributions of donors.

Nunavut


Happy anniversary to Canada’s newest territory! This year, we were delighted to install new donor recognition signage at the Kimmirut Visitor Centre along the Itijjagiaq Trail.

Ontario


TCT supported the construction of a new accessible greenway between the communities of Mississauga First Nation and Blind River. Another TCT contribution helped to build a new boardwalk on Kelly Lake in Sudbury. Other work included upgrades along the Beaver River Wetland Trail, as well as on a bridge along the Caledon Trailway.


In December, we joined our partners in Peterborough to celebrate the opening of a new bridge on the Jackson Creek Trail.


Numerous communities in Ontario received new signage for their Trail sections. Separately, a new sponsored by Clif Bar was installed in Huntsville.

Prince Edward Island


A TCT grant helped to create a wheelchair accessible loop between Lake Verde and Fort Augustus.

 

A new boardwalk at Fullerton’s Marsh and a two-kilometre trail connecting to the Confederation Trail at Murray Harbour could become a reality, thanks to a study completed this year. This project will move the Trail off a roadway while providing a crossing over a stream.


New signage with The Great Trail logo was installed across the province.

Quebec

TCT welcomed new Trail sections in Quebec, including Les Sentiers Équestres de l’Autray, a rural greenway for hikers, walkers and horseback riders. This new section will form part of a new network of equestrian trails in the regions of Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Lanaudière, Laurentides and Outaouais. Another Trail section in Charlevoix was also built, connecting the Tourism Office to the Chemin de la Pointe in Baie-Saint-Paul and offering spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River.


In June, we celebrated the official opening of the Mestashibo Trail, which completes the connection to Le Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix.


The renovation of Quebec City’s pavilion was completed. The P’tit Train du Nord linear park received funding to install new signage.

Saskatchewan


Essential repairs to a boardwalk over a sensitive wetland at the Ravine Ecological Preserve in Yorkton, were also completed this year. A new greenway connecting White City to Emerald Park was also developed. The Meewasin Trail in Saskatoon was upgraded to increase accessibility.


The impressive trailheads along the Meewasin Trail in Saskatoon received new plaques with The Great Trail logo.

Yukon


The Whitehorse Connector Trail was resurfaced to repair cracks, potholes and other damage.

 


Wayfinding signage was installed along the Whitehorse Connector Trail, while the renovation of the trailmarker in Whitehorse was completed.

Thank you