Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Rick Johnson visited the Frost Campus on Aug. 30 to celebrate the extension of an agreement the province has with the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association (KTCTA).

The KTCTA, a non-profit organization, has reached an agreement with the province to extend its current agreement by five years, until 2018, continuing to maintain and improve the trail in the Kawartha Lakes area.

The trail runs through the campus and the KTCTA has a close working relationship with Fleming College to ensure the campus portion is maintained and safe for all users. On the campus portion of the trail, users can view a regional map of the trail as well as signage that details local plants and wildlife, and a donor wall. The campus has also extended its lease agreement with KTCTA.

The strengthened partnership between Ontario and the KTCTA will ensure that this once-abandoned railway corridor will continue to offer Ontario families a healthy all year round experience.

“This extension will allow our Association to maintain its momentum and focus on updating, developing and managing a critical link for the Trans Canada Trail system,” said Allen MacPherson, president of the KTCTA.

“The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association will continue to develop and maintain a key green space that is enjoyed by the community while promoting tourism and economic development in the City of Kawartha Lakes,” said MPP Johnson, who is also Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure Bob Chiarelli.

Quick Facts

• The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association was established in 2006 as a charitable, community organization and has invested more than $1 million in upgrades to the trail, through the participation of about 120 volunteers.
• Since 2006, the number of trail users has increased from a few dozen to an estimated 2,000 per year, which benefits the community and the local economy.
• The trail is used by local schools for both physical activity and outdoor education such as biology or geography field trips.

On Thursday August 11, volunteers came together to repair a section of trail washed out by the heavy rains from two weeks ago. Aside from KTCTA volunteers, there were Reaboro, Unity Church and Fleming College managing partners involved and the Boy Scouts from Reaboro. Many hands had the job done in two hours.

Another photo of volunteers repairing damage to trail.

In late July 2011 on Vancouver Island during a family visit we attended the reopening of Kinsol Bridge. As the photo indicates it is beautiful, situated in the middle of nowhere, and connects the Trans Canada Trail from Victoria to Naminao and beyond. Cost $7.5 million dollars and we are trying to find $3000 to redeck the Pigeon River Bridge.

June 14th a Beautiful sunny morning and the PickSeed sun shelter alongside the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail was officially open. The map display includes local historical information and facilities such as the Butter Tart Trail was unveiled by Mayor Rick McGee, President KTCTA – Al MacPherson, Tom Pick – Pickseed and Councilor Donna Villemaire Ward 8.

Attention all trail users please stay on the tread area of the trail as the ditches and shoulders of the trail has poison ivy. It is impossible to control as it is found along the entire 44 km length of the trail.

Leaves of three, let it be!

For Earth Day over 150 volunteers stretching across our 44 km of trail came out to clean up the trail. The photograph shows St.Thomas Aquinas High School students helping out. They collected over 60 vehicle tires along the trail.

The Kawartha Cycling Club regular users of the KTCT submitted this photo from a ride they did in May.

Starting at Jackson Park in Peterborough Sue Kenney (front left/purple jacket) Author and Hiker walks with 15-20 other hikers along the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail ending up at the Lindsay Fairgrounds to open the Kawartha Leisure and Lifestyle Show (April 15, 2011).

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association organized a rededication event for the Ernest Thompson Seton Historical Plaque to be re-instated along a section of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail that travels through one of the most environmental schools in Canada- Fleming College. A proper location for a man who wrote 40 books and painted numerous paintings about nature. Photo Dr.John Wadland, Professor Emertius Trent University, John MacKlem, President Victoria County Historical Society, Linda Skelton Dean Fleming College Frost Campus, Al MacPherson President KTCT and Craig Shanks Manager Parks/Recreation and Culture City of Kawarha Lakes (March 29, 2011)

Anne Powell is recognized by Director/Treasurer Wayne Alldred for her book keeping efforts for the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association.

Volunteer Ted Abbot is recognized for his efforts in fundraising for the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail by Al MacPherson President of KTCTA.

Dan Plancke is recognized for his efforts by Director Bill Elliott in maintaining the KTCT trail at the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association AGM – November 2010.