Cochranites can go off the beaten track this weekend – along with the rest of the country – for a national celebration to honour the Trans Canada Trail.
“We just felt it was worth recognition,” said Brad Luft, Cochrane’s manager of parks and open spaces. “The trail comes right through town and so we thought we’d jump on board.”
The Trans Canada Trail – now known as The Great Trail – is touted as the longest trail system in the world and is a multi-use, recreational corridor that stretches near-seamlessly for more than 22,000 kilometres, from coast to coast to coast.
The eco-friendly concept has been more than a quarter century in the making, with the idea originating in 1992 during Canada’s 125th anniversary.
Since then, hundreds of communities have developed and managed their own sections of the national trail network, which includes regional pathways, waterways and highways available to hikers, cyclists, cross country skiiers and more.
Officials say 93 per cent of the trail is now connected across 13 provinces and territories, with “Mile Zero” located in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
This year, to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary – and 25 years of trailblazing – communities along the path are throwing parties and encouraging residents to explore their own section of the route as part of The Great Trail Cross-Canada Connection.
Cochrane’s get-together takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the GlenEagles Ball Diamond, where the town’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail begins.
Luft said shuttle buses will be set up in three locations along the length of the trail, so residents can walk from GlenEagles and enjoy the path – then be picked up and driven back to the party.
The first bus will shuttle hikers about two kilometres from the start, at 1st Street East and Carolina Drive; the second will meet participants at the bridge at the south end of River Avenue – about four kilometres from GlenEagles – and for those who want to walk the whole 13-kilometre length of the trail, a shuttle bus will be waiting at Tim Horton’s in Fireside.
Back in GlenEagles, the town will host a free barbecue, with music, face painting and Fun Van family games.
“Everybody is welcome,” said Luft. “It’s a great day to come out for a walk.”
