Nature By The Rail Trail

As a very young girl, raised right beside the trails. I was captivated by the whistle of the train. Never having to look at a clock or watch, the whistle blew on the hour. It was wonderful to know when your meals were ready and what time you had to be indoors.

For five generations, starting with my grandfather, several family members worked the trains. My grandfather and his brothers (travelled from Dublin, Ireland) , started working at the beginning of times, travelling all across Canada. My grandma never knew when my grandfather would make it back to southern Ontario.

From Train Tracks To Walking Trails

After years of several tracks being built, later the trains had new and up to date tracks. The old tracks became the trails along the river. Great spots to walk, several bike riders, joggers too.

Several occasions we have seen artists sitting at the banks of the river, painting the views of Mother Nature.

One of the most amazing and fun tradition on the trail is that every year around Christmas time, a family that lives above the trails decorate a tree and cover it in candy canes. The children can’t wait to get to the finish line, to earn their treats.

During the winter months you can see many cross country skiiers and several walking in snowshoes.

A very inexpensive hobby, beautiful and many miles of trails to take. The scenery alone is impeccable. A few spots there are walking bridges you can stand and look out further. Also a nice old farm made into a wonderful stop, from a hamburger and fries, fresh sandwiches to a simple ice cream cone or something cool to drink. (Many hikers stop to refuel and fill their backpacks).

Many canoes and kyack admirers ,love to stop here and get out and stretch their legs. The photography alone is amazing.

Many a times when our children were young, we would travel either walking or cycling to the food barn. I always packed a nice picnic, but they couldn’t wait to get an ice cream. Not that I didn’t mind it myself.

We do have our favourite trails, but sadly with the new development many of the trails are being destroyed. New homes and businesses are being built and so much nature destroyed, sadly very old beautiful trees. Signing petitions after petitions , trying to get them to stop, only for them to keep on building.

So many wildlife have lost their homes, the worst was all of the beautiful deers we use to see. Only for much of the wildlife they find their way into the city, captured and if they survive released.

We as a community are not giving up, the green space to all of us, and the wildlife is so precious. We personally need the oxygen to breathe,I am working hard with the developers to plant two to three trees for all they have chopped down.

Our biggest goal is to keep the railway trails, all the interesting history you can read along the way. Benches made in loving memory of couples who have enjoyed the trails as much as we have.

The more our heritage museum puts up and shares on the trails, the less chances that developers will be able to destroy the area I personally have several pictures of old railways stations and railway employees that my neighbour gave to me. Passing copies on ,I hope they can help with the history of the development of the first railways tracks and make it a heritage site.

If we all work together, if we all realize what we have already lost or may loose. We have always have “HOPE” to save such a beautiful trail that everyone should enjoy.

Especially for the family members of their loved ones who built them in the beginning.