Campus trails connecting to Trans Canada Trail

Put on your hiking boots. Nipissing University’s awesome campus trails in North Bay are now part of the larger Trans Canada Trail system.
Efforts to complete the Trans Canada Trail by 2017 to coincide with Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation are moving full steam ahead in north eastern Ontario. In an event on campus last week, Valerie Pringle, Co-Chair of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation announced a contribution of $270,000 from the Foundation to assist with the extension of the Trail from the North Bay Regional Health Centre to the Education Centre and connect the campus trail system.

“Trail building is a community effort and I am thrilled to be here today to announce TCT funding that supports the development of this next section of the Trail in North Bay,” said Valerie Pringle, co-chair of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation. “It is thanks to the hard work of our community partners such as the Discovery Routes Trails Organization, Canadore College, Nipissing University and the City of North Bay that our dream of building a national Trail connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast by 2017 is becoming a reality.”

Nipissing University and Canadore College are the latest partners to join the effort and connect to the world’s longest and grandest recreational trail.

“Our campus trails are beautiful and we are happy and proud to celebrate them and to share them as part of the Trans Canada Trail,” said Dr. Mike DeGagné, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University.  “Having a continuous trail connecting campus to the city is a great benefit for our university and our community, as it improves access for anyone choosing to add some physicality to their commute. Thank you to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation and to Discovery Routes for helping to realize this initiative.”

The City of North Bay has been active in the development of the Trans Canada Trail since the early 1990’s when the Kate Pace Way was first designated as part of the national trail system. With the south end of the Trail completed to Callander, the City is now focussing trail connection efforts on the western link. “One of our priorities is the promotion of a healthy active lifestyle here in our city,” stated Mayor Al McDonald.  “This trail is something we are so proud of.”

Discovery Routes is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of the trails in north eastern Ontario in support of better health, tourism, strong communities, and environmental appreciation and protection.  The organization has facilitated the development of over 80 kilometres of the Trans Canada Trail in the Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts. Hundreds of local volunteers have been involved with the project and continue to work tirelessly to connect 120 additional kilometres to complete a continuous trail through the region from Magnetawan through Nipissing Village, Callander, North Bay and connecting to West Nipissing and Sudbury.  

“Discovery Routes has taken on a monumental task, but for those involved it is a labour of love. The Trans Canada Trail has provided a focal point for the organization that has inspired cohesion amongst trail users and motivated reluctant volunteers to become active in an effort that is truly making a difference by providing a venue for safe, affordable family activity while making a physical connection to the sites and institutions, attractions and wild spaces that are iconic to northern Ontario,” said Mark King, Chair, Discovery Routes Trails Organization.

The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) is a national non-profit organization that supports the development and use of a national Trail network, linking Canadians from coast to coast to coast, through more than a 1,000 communities and across incredible landscapes. Partnering with all levels of government and donors, the Trail supports the work of more than 400 local trail groups through funding and promotion of their efforts to build and sustain the world's longest and grandest recreational trails. For more information on the TCT, please visitwww.tctrail.ca. 

The public is invited to learn more about the efforts of Discovery Routes Trails Organization and the ongoing development of the Trans Canada Trail in the region by visiting the website at www.discoveryroutes.ca.