The Trans Canada Trail: History in the Making
Story by Renée Henry
Edited by Darren L. Smith
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Imagine
if you will a pathway that spans a nation, with neither borders nor boundaries. From
the First Nation people to today, Canadians are a nation of trail
builders crossing waterways and woodlands for trade and travel. Then came the railway joining east to west followed by the Trans Canada
Highway allowing passage across the entire country. In keeping with the tradition of trail building, Canada's visual splendor
is preserved
through the Trans Canada Trail.
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Like most
great accomplishments, the Trans Canada Trail began with an idea. The concept of
the Trail came from the now defunct Canada 125 Corporation in 1992. This corporation provided seed funding to help establish the
Trans Canada
Trail Foundation in December of 1992. Since then,
through a combination of sponsorship from companies such as TD, Daimler Chrysler
(Jeep), and individual donations by Canadians, this project has become a
reality. Donors who made a special contribution had their names placed on
Commemorative Relay Walls that form the outer surface of the Trans Canada Trail
Pavilion located on the banks of the Ottawa River in Jacques Cartier Park.
Upon
completion, the Trail will be the longest shared-use recreational trail in the
world, spanning roughly 17,244 kilometers (10,714 miles) and winding its way
through every Canadian province and territory. Approximately 75% of the
17,244-kilometer Trail will be built on existing trails, abandoned railway lines
and crown lands with the remaining 25% being "new" trail. Currently, just over
10,000 kilometers of the trail have been registered.
The Trail is
designated for five core activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross
-country skiing and, where possible or desired, snowmobiling.
The Inauguration
In February 2000, the Trans Canada Trail launched the longest trail relay in the world. Some 5,000 official carriers have relayed waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, triggered community celebrations across the country. On September 9th, a ceremony in Hull marked the completion of the Trans Canada Trail Relay 2000 and the opening of the Trail itself. The relay concluded with a ceremony in Jacques Cartier Park, where the three waters were simultaneously poured into a ceremonial vessel that was presented to the CEO of the Museum of Civilization.
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How You Can Help
The Trans Canada Trail is a very ambitious endeavor that requires the financial support of individuals, corporations, foundations and all levels of government. In order to fulfill its mission, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation believes it must raise $32 million in order to complete the main trunk of the Trans Canada Trail. The primary fund-raising source is the sale of meters to the public. For a donation of $40, donors are given the opportunity to have their names (or the names of anyone they choose) permanently inscribed in a Trail Pavilion along the route of the Trail. To find out more about making a donation click here.
Although close to 50% of the Trail is already usable to some degree, the
Trail is expected to be "substantially complete" in the fall of 2005. The Trans
Canada Trail is history in the making and every person who has a hand in
creating it, from donors to volunteers shares a part of it. The Trail promotes
pride in one’s community, province and nation. It has brought Canadians
together to fulfill a common vision and build a legacy for future generations.
For further information:
Trans Canada Trail Map - clickable map with description of trail in each Canadian province/territory.
Canadian Conservation Organizations and Agencies
Canadian Travel and Tourism
Information
U.S. National Trails System - Read
about this cooperative venture to link natural, historic, and cultural resources
throughout the country.
