Updates Along the Credit Valley Trail – Credit Valley Conservation

More Than Just a Trail

Originally posted by CVC on June 19, 2024

The Credit Valley Trail (CVT) is more than just a trail. It will connect communities, greenspaces, people and families, while fostering a sense of place and connection to the Credit River.

The CVT will be a 100-kilometre pathway through the Credit River Valley. From the hills of the headwaters in Orangeville to Lake Ontario in Mississauga, the trail will connect watershed communities to the beauty of nature, Indigenous heritage and values, rich cultural experiences and the sustaining waters of the Credit River.

First Steps Along the CVT Trail

The Board of Directors at Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) approved the Credit Valley Trail Strategy in 2017, which sets out the shared vision, mission and guiding principles for the CVT.

We worked with project partners for two years to create a strategy that will guide collective efforts for the next 25 years. This strategy aims to establish a continuous trail connecting people from Orangeville at Island Lake to the mouth of the Credit River in Mississauga. Additionally, this strategy outlines our collective objectives and priorities over this time and offers a framework for measuring our progress and accomplishments.

Together with our municipal partners in Orangeville, Caledon, Halton Hills, Brampton and Mississauga, we have successfully developed the CVT brand along existing trails, secured land access and built new trails. Our staff have hiked sections of the CVT with our regional chapters and gathered with the Indigenous Roundtable (IRT) to develop the first key site along the CVT.

Indigenous Roundtable

The IRT was formed to meet the goals outlined in the Bimaadiziwin Nibi Aawan (Water is Life) Indigenous Experience Plan, which later influenced the development of the seven key Dodem (Clan) sites along the CVT. Community representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Cree and Huron-Wendat First Nations, working alongside CVC and CVT partners, make up the Indigenous led committee known as the IRT. This project space aims to bring Indigenous culture and experiences to life along the trail.

A group of people standing on a boardwalk leading to a lake with wooden poles creating a triangular archway. — Elder Carolyn King, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Jessica McKenzie, Senior Manager, Indigenous Peoples Inclusion Programs, Dr. Jonathan Ferrier, Assistant Professor of Biology, Dalhousie University, Tena Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Elder Garry Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation gather with Indigenous Roundtable for opening ceremony of the Crane Gathering Space at Island Lake Conservation Area in October 2023.

Progress Being Made

Secured Optimum Routes

Secured 27.2 kilometres of optimum route in the first five years

A trail through a forested area. — *Upper Canada College trail with hints of the first signs of autumn.*

Built Trail and Trail Infrastructure

Built washroom, boardwalk and way-finding signage at Ken Whillans Conservation Area
Built Pedestrian bridge and way-finding signage at Upper Credit Conservation Area
Connected and built the Upper Canada College trail

A wooden boardwalk crossing over water into a forested area. — *The newly constructed boardwalk at Ken Whillans enhances accessibility and offers a great vantage point to admire the water.*

Fundraising

Raised $4.5 million in the first five years and are working to fundraise $5.5 million more over the next five years to reach our goal of $10 million in 10 years

Connected, Celebrated and Built Relationships

Collaborated with nearly 100 community partners and volunteers
Greenbelt funding announcement
Launched the CVT brand

A group of people posing in the rain on a paved lot backed by a forest. — *Community partners and volunteers join CVC for the Fall Chapter hike on the newly constructed Upper Canada College Trail.*

A group of people posing with a sign that says “Credit Valley Trail”. — *Indigenous Roundtable members and community partners unveil the CVT logo at the First Steps on the Path event at Glen Williams Park on September 27, 2019.*

Supporting Indigenous Placemaking

Seven Indigenous placemaking sites to be completed in the Credit River Watershed.
All sites will feature interpretive signage, public art installations, trail markers and other culturally appropriate amenities.
Sites will incorporate Indigenous storytelling, teachings and symbology.

People standing on a wooden walkway listening to a speaker. — *Grandmother Kim Wheatley leads a guided walk sharing Anishinaabe relationships with the natural world at the First Steps Along the Path.*

The Path Ahead: 2024 to 2028

By harnessing the support of our chapter members, municipal working groups and volunteers, we aim to connect more people in our communities and watershed visitors with the CVT. Our goal is to inspire and nurture an ethic of care among trail users by providing them with the opportunity to experience the natural and cultural heritage of the Credit River Valley at the CVT, making it their destination of choice. We have several priorities in focus for the next 5-year strategy that include:

Connecting more trail in Halton Hills from Norval to Glen Williams.
Connecting trails in Brampton, specifically our newly acquired Churchville property, to the Siemens property in Brampton.
More landowner outreach to acquire valley lands so we can connect trails in Halton Hills and Caledon.
Fundraise $5.5 million to reach out 10-year goal of $10 million.
Increase Chapter membership and actively engage with communities to promote the CVT.
Activate the first Dodem site – The Crane Gathering Space, that was formerly opened on Friday June 7, 2024.
Support connecting the Ontario Bicycle Route trail and expanding it to link with the CVT.

If you would like to become a chapter member, please connect with us.

By Raiden Levesque, Senior Coordinator, Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous Engagement