October 1999 - News and Updates

Opening ceremonies elicit positive feedback
Put your personal stamp on this project: sponsor a plank, bench or a light standard

The Official Opening of the Grand Trunk Trail yielded many positive comments from those who attended the ceremonies two weeks ago.

The GTT committee extends its thanks to the work done by Kerry Price of Heart Health Perth for the promotional work she did to on our behalf. It was heartening to receive her call a few months ago when she inquired about the Trail and proposed a way to augment our Opening by adding HHP's displays on Heart healthy living and sponsoring the snacks.

The Grand Trunk Trail has been on the receiving end of many organizations which have approached us to say that they have something to offer. In times when it seems as if people want to pull back from the hectic world we live in, these generous offers show that genuine goodwill is still here in abundance.

Survey said!!

Kerry sent the results of the Evaluation Survey which 35 of you filled in at the Opening Ceremonies. Comments on "What did you like best?" included two items that the GTT can take credit for in a way: the Bridge and the bagpipes (although, as you are probably aware, it was Mark Fletcher who played them-we just made the phone call to ask him.) The rest of the best related to what we have always had in St. Marys: "view/scenery/fall colours, meeting people/nice people to talk with, beavers, muskrats, blue heron, flowers/trees, water, WEATHER! One person's comment was "This was perfect. How did you order such excellent weather?" Gosh, I don't know how we get so lucky but some power is looking after this project.

The question that asked how the event might have been improved had a few responses that involved the access ramp from the Lions Park to the Grand Trunk Trail. As the ramp was the project of the Lions Club, the suggestions will be forwarded to the Lions.

Piper Mark Fletcher was the man of the hour-someone wanted more bagpipes. What is it about the sound of a lone piper by the water that speaks to the soul? I have a few drops of Scots blood in my veins so I can justify the effect on me but the effect borders on universal.

Piper Mark Fletcher signals beginning of final ceremony.
"What is it about the sound of a lone piper by the water
that speaks to the soul?"

A final comment in the "Other" category addressed the issue of security: "would like to support a police constable walking a 'beat' across the bridge in early evening for security. Emergency phone should be considered." On another topic: "A portable washroom along the way in summer?" Again, these topics will be made known to Town Council.

Plaque sponsorship proceeding well
Regarding the sponsored plaques, you will notice that they are moving ever closer to the east end of the Sarnia Bridge. We will soon be ready to turn the corner and come back on the other side. Your continued donations are getting us closer to the time when the expensive lighting project can begin.

There have been comments that people have felt that their plaque donations mean that they own the plank itself. As we will soon be at the stage of putting the plaques on the south ends of the planks, perhaps the people who like the idea of the plank exclusively in their name would consider "balancing their investment" by a second donation.

While we're on the topic of plaques, we remind you of the decision to increase the plaque donation price to $40 on January 1, 2000.

Other donation possibilities include two styles of benches - "with back and arms" or "flat bench" or sponsorship of a lamp standard, fixture and associated wiring. Ron Plaquet researched prices last year; we'll have to check the effects of one year of inflation but the benches will be in the neighbourhood of $750 and $500 respectively.

Now that's a crowd!
It was mentioned at the most recent GTT meeting that there were 42 people on the Bridge at one time last weekend. Your use and enjoyment of the Trail is the most gratifying aspect of being part of this project. We are very pleased with your response to this project. Continue to enjoy the view, meeting people, blue herons, water, weather..

The official unveiling was done by, from the left: Town operations manager Bruce Grant, Joe Leyser, who gave the first donation to the Trail, Grand Trunk Trail committee chair Carol Robinson-Todd, and Mayor Jamie Hahn.

With the sun shining, the temperature comfortable and autumn leaves in full colour, Sunday couldn't have been a more perfect day for the opening ceremonies of the Grand Trunk Trail.

And after the program, which took about half an hour, the 100 or so people in attendance did exactly the right thing to officially christen the trail (which has been open for more than a year) ... they walked it ... young and old alike, with kids, dogs and babes in strollers in tow.

Events got underway Sunday afternoon with a speech which included lots of thank yous from GTT chair Carol Robinson-Todd. The first part of the ceremony took place under the new Lions Club pavilion in Lions Park at the north end of the Flats.

Robinson-Todd made mention of some special guests in attendance, first and foremost Joe Leyser. The GTT chair explained that Leyser was the first to make a donation to the walkway which helped get the project off the ground. Joe and his late wife Lois made the contribution in memory of their daughter, who died in an accident.

Salina Street entrance.

Town operations manager Bruce Grant was also among the many people Robinson-Todd thanked for contributing to the trail.

"Bruce Grant and his staff have worked steadfastly in the development of the physical aspects of the Trail, the most recent addition being the installation of sidewalks at Ingersoll, Salina and Wellington Streets," Robinson-Todd said.

The Grand Trunk 'Troll' greets visitors on the Sarnia Bridge.

Also lauded for their help in seeing the Trail become a reality were: the Perth Stewardship Network, the Journal Argus, McLean-Taylor Construction, St Marys Horticultural Society, Bob Baird, the Baha'i Community, The Lions Club of St. Marys, the Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs, the Rotary Club, the Friendship Centre, the St. Marys Public Library, the St. Marys Museum, town hall staff, the Stonetown Quilters Guild, Brent Cubberley from Canadian Cart Sales, Rick Fifield of St. Marys Golf and Country Club, as well as Vic Hearn and the late Bernice Metcalfe, Karen Pugh and Steve Sauder from UTRCA, the students of Arthur Meighen Public School, Holy Name Catholic School and St. Marys DCVI.

Others who made significant contributions toward completion of the Trail include: Blue Circle Cement, Leo Nicholson Concrete, Klomp's Landscaping, and of course, the generous financial donation from the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Robinson-Todd also thanked the many individual volunteers too numerous to mention.

Committee members
She introduced and acknowledged the members of the Grand Trunk Trail committee, including: design sub-committee chair Ron Plaquet, fundraising committee chair Marlene Weston, and naturalization committee chair Pat Donnelly, and committee members Sharon Barnes, Gwen Bestard, Marianne Betteridge, Diane Furtney, Heather Goad, Jean Hewitt, Alan Powell, Tony Reynen, Julie Robson, Mary Smith, and Pam Zabel.

Former members were also thanked, including: Bob Sass, Mary Coleman, Barry Cookson, Ron Scheuermann, Dave Mahaffy and Jean Linton.

"You have pointed the way to the Trail to the visitors to town; you have walked the Trail, and by spending time on the Sarnia Bridge, have been the best promotional team a project could ask for. "Thank you," Robinson-Todd said.

Piper Mark Fletcher then led the crowd up the Lions walkway from the Flats to the east end of the trail. There, after a few words by Mayor Jamie Hahn, one of three Grand Trunk Trail signs were unveiled by Joe Leyser and Bruce Grant.

Mayor Hahn said the project being celebrated began in June 1995, when town council bought the former Sarnia CN Line property for $2,586.

'Dream to reality'
Hahn had words of praise for the hard-working committee, which he said propelled the idea of the Grand Trunk Trail from "dream to reality."

"May I express to you our heartfelt gratitude for your generous and visionary gifts of time and talent which have enabled a dream come true in this community," he said.

"Please know how deeply appreciative we are of your special gift that will benefit the vast majority of the citizens of St. Marys, the surrounding area, and those who visit our town.