Trail History
In December of 2000, the Province of Ontario completed the acquisition of the abandoned railway corridor formerly owned by CN, which runs from Uxbridge to Corbyville.
A summary of the key events related to this section of the rail corridor are:
| 1858 | Rail Line established. |
| 1988 | CN Line Abandoned the line and removed the railway ties and no management of the line occurred. |
| 1988 | Kawartha Rail Trails Organization formed based out of Peterborough viewed this line to be a significant contribution to recreation, tourism and local heritage. |
| 1992 | 1st Economic Study by Trent University for this rail trail- estimated $1.3m to $3.6m economic impact for area. |
| 1994 | Ontario Trails Council- became the lead agency for the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario- identified this section of rail trail as an important potential connection. |
| 1999 | Town of Lindsay Municipal Government passed motion endorsing the Trans Canada Trail through Lindsay. |
| 2000 | Province Ontario purchased line for possible future transportation, recreation and energy needs. |
| 2000 | Trans Canada Trail Ocean Water Relay Celebration occurred in Lindsay an area, it was a major tourism event using part of the rail trail. |
| 2001 | Release of the final report by GSI Real Estate and Planning Advisors (Consultants) for the Ontario government. After a comprehensive public consultation process, rail corridor identified as a key Trans Canada Trail route and recommended cycling, walking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling as the recreational trail use. |
| 2003 | Subsequent to the GSI study the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Peterborough District Office) was given the responsibility to implement the recommendations in the study. A Rail/Trail Advisory Committee was established. |
| 2004 | 2nd Economic Study by PriceWaterhouse for the Trans Canada Trail Foundation was completed to estimate the economic impact of the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario. It was determined that provincially $2.4 billion would be generated and for this section (includes City of Kawartha Lakes) of the trail (Region 6) it was estimated over $400m. |
| 2005 | The Ontario Trails Council & Trans Canada Trail Ontario Director made a presentation to City of Kawartha Lakes Community Service staff for support to have the trail established. No action taken. |
| 2005 | Ontario Provincial Trail Strategy Released (October) and the Trans Canada Trail is given a Provincial Priority to be completed by 2010. |
| 2006 | The City Kawartha Lakes Trails Master Plan completed, the plan identified the Trans Canada Trail as a priority in the development of trails within the City of Kawartha Lakes. |
| 2006 | (January) Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources declared the rail line corridor surplus and subsequently it was released to the Ontario Realty Corporation for possible disposal. |
| 2006 | (January) 1st Friends of Trans Canada Trail meeting for the City of Kawartha Lakes was held with a mandate to retain ownership of this rail corridor and have a registered and operational TCT by 2010. |
| 2006 | Ontario Government leased the abandoned rail line to Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association. |
| 2006-2007 | Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization. |
| 2010 | Construction of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail 95% complete. |
| 2014 | Last 800 meters of trail completed at the end of Dobson Street in Lindsay. Total of 53 kms of trail fully completed and operational. |
