Credit Valley Trail Takes Shape with First Sign Unveiling and Campaign Launch

The Credit Valley Trail (CVT) gained its first stake in the ground on Tuesday, November 3, as project partners officially unveiled the trail’s first wayfinding signage at Upper Credit Conservation Area in Alton. The Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) also announced the launch of a major $10 million fundraising campaign to help connect the full 100-kilometre trail. In attendance were representatives from the Credit Valley Trail Leadership Council, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Board of Directors, CVCF Board of Directors, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Community, Greenbelt Foundation and 407 ETR.

The CVT was first envisioned in 1956 as a fully connected trail through the Credit River Valley. The vision for the trail is a 100-kilometre pathway along the banks of the river, from the headwaters in Orangeville to Lake Ontario in Port Credit. It will connect people to the beauty of nature, rich cultural experiences, Indigenous heritage and values and the sustaining waters of the Credit River.

“This is a milestone day for the Credit Valley Trail,” said Karen Ras, Chair of the CVC and CVCF Boards and Councillor for the City of Mississauga. “Today’s sign unveiling takes the bold vision of this legacy trail from strategy to reality. This is an important step as we continue to work with our generous donors and supporters to help complete the trail that will connect our communities and become a protected, natural legacy for future generations.”

To date, 32 kilometres of the trail have been completed. These existing trail networks are in various areas along the proposed CVT optimum route and listed in the interactive Ondago trail app. As the CVT continues to take shape, this app will help local residents and visitors explore the existing sections of the trail and connect with nature.

“We’ve come a long way from the first concept of the Credit Valley Trail explored in CVC’s 1956 inaugural watershed report,” said Deborah Martin-Downs, CAO of CVC. “Today, we are bringing this vibrant trail to life. These signs give the CVT an identity and sense of place, but we still have a long way to go. Our work must continue as we connect the remaining 68 kilometres.”

The CVCF’s latest fundraising campaign is their largest to date. In support of the CVT, the new campaign aims to raise $10 million to help connect the remaining 68 kilometres of the legacy trail.

The need for protected green spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities is more important now than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that access to natural spaces, like parks and trails, play a critical role in maintaining health and wellness. CVC saw a 47 per cent increase in park visitation during the pandemic.

The CVT is a legacy project led by CVC in partnership with City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, CVCF, Town of Halton Hills, City of Mississauga, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Town of Orangeville and Region of Peel. To date, funding for the project has been generously received from the CVCF, Government of Ontario, Greenbelt Foundation and 407 ETR.

For more information about the Credit Valley Trail or to support the campaign, visit creditvalleytrail.ca.

About Credit Valley Conservation

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a local conservation authority established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed. Our watershed is defined by the area of land where all rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains into lands and waters flowing into the Credit River. CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We inspire a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. CVC is a member of Conservation Ontario.

About Credit Valley Conservation Foundation 
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation is a registered environmental charity working to help protect and conserve the lands and waters of the Credit River Watershed.  The Foundation accomplishes this by raising funds in support of the valuable conservation projects carried out by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) that protect the health and well-being of the flora and fauna, the watershed and its inhabitants for today and tomorrow. CVC inspires a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy.

Photo:

Caption: Credit Valley Trail sign unveiling took place at Upper Credit Conservation Area with project partners
Left to right: Johanna Downey, CVC Board of Directors, CVT Leadership Council member and Councillor for Town of Caledon; Karen Ras, Chair of CVC Board of Directors, Chair of CVC Foundation, Councillor for City of Mississauga and CVT Leadership Council member; Edward McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer of the Greenbelt Foundation; Terri LeRoux, Senior Manger, Property, Assets, Recreation and Conservation Areas of CVC and Executive Director of CVC Foundation; Deborah Martin-Downs, Chief Administrative Officer of CVC and CVT Leadership Council member; Conan O’Brien, Program Manger, Marketing, Communications and Government Relations for 407 ETR; and Carolyn King, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Community member, CVT Leadership Council member and CVT Indigenous Roundtable Chair
Link: https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MOD-IMG_4712-scaled.jpg

Caption: Credit Valley Trail partners participated in an official ribbon cutting of the trail at Upper Credit Conservation Area
Left to right: Johanna Downey, CVC Board of Directors, CVT Leadership Council member and Councillor for Town of Caledon; Deborah Martin-Downs, Chief Administrative Officer of CVC and CVT Leadership Council member; Terri LeRoux, Senior Manger, Property, Assets, Recreation and Conservation Areas of CVC and Executive Director of CVC Foundation; Karen Ras, Chair of CVC Board of Directors, Chair of CVC Foundation, Councillor for City of Mississauga and CVT Leadership Council member; Conan O’Brien, Program Manger, Marketing, Communications and Government Relations for 407 ETR; Edward McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer of the Greenbelt Foundation; and Carolyn King, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Community member, CVT Leadership Council member and CVT Indigenous Roundtable Chair
Link: https://cvc.ca/creditvalleytrail/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MOD-IMG_4687.jpg

Caption: Credit Valley Trail’s new wayfinding signage at Upper Credit Conservation Area in Alton
Link: https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_1618.jpg

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Media Contact
Jamie Williams
Specialist, Marketing & Communications
Credit Valley Conservation
C: 905-431-5772
[email protected]