Region of Peel to buy Orangeville-Brampton railway corridor, build recreational trail

By Zachary Roman

A new recreational trail that's just over 50 kilometres long will be passing through Caledon.

On May 27, Region of Peel staff announced Peel Regional Council had endorsed a report that outlined the Region's intent to acquire 51 kilometres of the former Orangeville-Brampton railway corridor.

The corridor is currently owned by the Orangeville Railway Development Corporation, of which the Town of Orangeville is the sole shareholder.

The corridor will be used for a recreational trail, and the report Peel Council endorsed also mentioned future use as a “utility corridor to help meet the needs of a growing region.”

According to Regional staff's announcement, the sale will go through on July 13 of this year.

The announcement goes on to explain the Region entered a conditional agreement to purchase the corridor lands in the summer of 2021.

The corridor lands run from the Caledon-Orangeville border all the way to north of Streetsville in Mississauga. When the sale goes through, the land ownership will be shared between the City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, and City of Mississauga.

According to the Region of Peel, the Orangeville-Brampton railway served several industries in the two municipalities beginning in 2000. A public excursion train also ran on the line from 2004 to 2018. The last train out of Orangeville on the railway left on December 17, 2021.

In a media release, Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson said the corridor acquisition will benefit Caledon residents in many ways.

“Acquiring this rail corridor gives the Town the opportunity to create a new north-south recreation trail that will travel through some of Caledon's more scenic areas, connecting citizens and visitors to the natural environment, shops and restaurants in the villages of Alton, Inglewood and emerging communities in Mayfield West, creating a legacy for Caledon,” said Thompson. “The over 50 km trail also connects Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga. The corridor will be available for the continued expansion of rural services like broadband internet and will benefit the health and wellness of our citizens, support local business and enhance the recreational experience.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the corridor purchase is a great example of municipalities working together to achieve positive and innovative outcomes.

Mississauga's Mayor, Bonnie Crombie, said accessible green spaces are a core part of Mississauga's plan to build healthy communities as they promote mental and physical well-being.

“I'm thrilled with the collaboration that's occurred to bring this new trail into existence and look forward to its addition to the already expansive Mississauga trail network,” she added.

Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown said having the corridor lands stay in public hands is forward planning and that a recreational trail will be a significant regional tourism asset.