Media Release: Trans Canada Trail Announcement (August 2, 2023)
Posted on 08/02/2023
Holly Smith, long-time volunteer, cuts the ribbon to officially open the newly paved Trans Canada Trail section from Fullerton’s Creek Conservation Park to Hollis DriveFor Immediate Release: August 2, 2023

Today, the Town of Stratford officially opened a newly paved section of the Trans Canada Trail, leading from Fullerton’s Creek Conservation Park on MacIntosh Drive to the new Community Campus entrance on Hollis Avenue.

“Trans Canada Trail has provided this great funding opportunity, and the Town of Stratford is proud to partner with Trans Canada Trail any time we can,” said Steve Ogden, Town of Stratford Mayor. “Residents benefit greatly from having the Trans Canada Trail connect through our community, and the latest regrading and paving of this section, as well as a couple of smaller sections, makes it that much easier and accessible for all to enjoy an active lifestyle in Stratford”.

Additional trail paving has been completed along Mason Road and through to Williams Gate park and a widening and paving of a section from the pedestrian underpass to the existing trail at Shakespeare Drive. In all, the Town was able to regrade, widen and pave over 2 km of Trans Canada Trail this summer.

“Trans Canada Trail is proud to support the Town of Stratford as our local Trail partner, and we celebrate their dedication to expanding and improving local trails. In so doing they are contributing to the quality of life and economy of communities. Trails enhance livability, they connect people to nature and to one another, and they enhance economic development through tourism,” says Eleanor McMahon, President & CEO, Trans Canada Trail. “The Trans Canada Trail would not be what it is without the commitment of our partners who steward and enhance local trails. National in scope and local in execution, Trans Canada Trail collaborates with provincial and territorial partners and over 500 local trail operators across the country, such as the Town of Stratford, who are instrumental to ensuring the Trail’s past, current and future viability.”

Also today, the Town of Stratford recognized a long-time volunteer who has been a champion of active transportation, living a healthy lifestyle and the Trans Canada Trail connection in Stratford. Holly Smith recently stepped aside from the Town’s Active Transportation Sub-Committee after serving on it for 15 years. During this time Holly has been a part of seeing the development and expansion of the Town’s active transportation network from sidewalks and bike lanes to natural paths, wooded trails and dedicated paved multi-use paths like the Trans Canada Trail.

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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community and Business Engagement Manager
Phone: (902) 569-1995
Email: [email protected]

Printable version: Media Release - Trans Canada Trail Announcement (August 2, 2023)
Image: Mayor Steve Ogden recognizing long-time volunteer Holly Smith
Image: Holly Smith, long-time volunteer, cuts the ribbon to officially open the newly paved Trans Canada Trail section from Fullerton’s Creek Conservation Park to Hollis Drive
(L-R: Steve Gallant, Town of Stratford Deputy Mayor; Holly Smith; Charlie Koughan, Town of Stratford Infrastructure Coordinator; Steve Ogden, Town of Stratford Mayor)