New trailhead opened on Moraine

December 1, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
A new trailhead has been opened up at the start of the Oak Ridges Trail near Mono Mills, and there’s a kiosk with maps to mark the spot.
Representatives from various groups and agencies made the trek several hundred metres into the woods recently for the unveiling.
“This has certainly been a cooperative effort,” remarked Brian Millage, regional director of the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA).
He said there were some stretches of the Bruce Trail system that had become side trails on property belonging to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and ORTA was interested in taking them over.
“I think it went back and forth at a few different levels,” he commented.
Joan Richard, trail coordinator with the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club, commented the stretch they were opening was part of the main Bruce Trail, and is now a much-loved side trail. But she pointed out it’s on the Oak Ridges Moraine, so it made sense for ORTA to take it on.
“I think it’s a great thing that you’ve got it done,” she remarked.
“Trails are so important,” commented Mike Bender, assistant director of greenspace conservation with TRCA. “They’re an essential fabric of the community.”
“It’s a world class organization that both of you have,” he added, commenting TRCA is excited about the idea of always looking for ways to improve the system.
“It’s certainly been a wonderful partnership along the way,” Millage observed.
Funding for the kiosk came from IBM.
Dave Robitallie, director of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM Canada Ltd., said the company is proud to be able to support such projects through grant funding.
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to do this,” he remarked.

Brian Millage, regional director of the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) watched as Dave Robitallie, director of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM Canada Ltd., and Kevin Lowe, president of ORTA, unveiled the kiosk.
Photo by Bill Rea