Otonabee Conservation celebrates the Jackson Creek Trail revitalization with the community
Otonabee Conservation, along with delegates from Curve Lake First Nation, Federal and Municipal governments, community members, local interest groups, project engineers and contractors celebrated the completion of the Jackson Creek Trail revitalization project with an event at Jackson Creek Trail’s East Trailhead.
Over 60 people gathered for the celebratory ribbon-cutting event that featured the unveiling of new trailhead signs, educational signs that were developed in partnership with the Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre, and accessible wayfinding signs to allow more visitors safely access to the trail. Community members, supporters and donors also participated in a birdwatching hike led by the Peterborough Field Naturalists.
Revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail has included addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges and railings, resurfacing of the length of the trail, and the addition of benches and educational signage.
“This project will bring more Canadians outdoors to experience the trail whether through walking, hiking, or cycling. On top of that, it will also increase environmental and historical awareness of the area, help nearby neighbourhoods thrive, and increase local business sales. Projects like these are exactly the ones we love to see as they are a win-win for our communities.”
A message from the Honorable Filomena Tassi,
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
This project has been possible with a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), with additional funding of $61,500 from Trans Canada Trail. The community also raised over $60,000.00 in donations through the Your Metres Matter and Close the Gap fundraising campaigns over the last two years.
“We are grateful to our funders who have made this project possible and we are especially humbled by the response from the community, who has come together to support the revitalization of the beloved Jackson Creek Trail. The community has raised over $60,000 in the past two years to help resurface the trail and to ensure benches, educational signs, trail markers, and accessible wayfinding signs could be added along the length of the trail.”
Janette Loveys Smith
Otonabee Conservation’s CAO \ Secretary Treasurer
The ‘Close the Gap’ fundraising campaign remains active as Otonabee Conservation seeks to fill the remaining gap of $10,000 to complete the final aspects of the project. For more information and to make a donation, visit otonabeeconservation.com/connect-with-us/make-a-donation.
For more information, contact:
Karen Halley | Manager, Communications, Outreach and Special Projects
Otonabee Conservation
khalley@otonabeeconservation.com | 705-745-3238 x224