The Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail is a shared-use recreation trail that is planned to go through all provinces and territories in Canada. The Trans Canada Trail is being used for walking, cycling, horse riding, cross-country skiing and, in some areas, snowmobiling. Parts of the trail will be accessible by wheelchair; for other parts canoes or kayaks will be needed. The trail is expected to be "substantially complete" by 2010.
A Tie to Canadian History
The scope of the Trans Canada Trail project stirs memories of building the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Trans Canada Highway, earlier projects that tied Canada together. It seems appropriate that Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) has donated more than 1000 miles (over 1600 km) of dormant railway corridor lands to the Trans Canada Trail project. CN also donated about 350 miles (560 km) of former rail corridors in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to help develop the trail.
Communities Along the Trans Canada Trail
Although the Trans Canada Trail has had financing from federal government groups and corporate sponsors, it is really a "confederation of trails" being tied together by communities across Canada. Wherever possible existing trails are being used and extended. Since the Trans Canada Trail is a community-based project, it will be owned and maintained by local organizations, municipalities, provincial and national agencies.
Help Build the Trans Canada Trail
The main way the Trans Canada Trail raises funds is by selling metres to the public. A $50 donation will buy a metre of the trail. Donors can have their names, or the names of anyone they choose, inscribed permanently on the trail. The inscriptions will be located in pavilions in populated areas or on panels in less populated regions. Other levels of donations can be made and you can also support the trail by shopping for trail merchandise on the Trans Canada Trail site.
