It seems like only yesterday that I was a chatty, young girl with pony tails coming from every direction on the top of my head clumsily biking on the Georgian Trail.
I vividly remember a happy meal toy being the major incentive for this particular biking expedition. Though I recall feeling a great deal of anxiety, as I complained my way through from town to town and began peddling progressively slower, the beauty of the journey holds strong in my memory.
Throughout time, the meaning of this trail has altered though it has consistently impacted my life. Although I no longer need a toy as an incentive to bike with my family, (I have since switched to ice cream and taken up running instead), I still find great value in the tone of such a place.
The moment that I wish to take you to this week is one to which surely every Meaford resident or tourist can relate. The moment is defined in and by everyone that has experienced even a glimpse of the beauty such a trail can provide.
Every ambitious early bird briskly walking, every cyclists taking the calmer and more scenic route, every dog walker nearly being tackled down by their anxious canine as he wraps his leash tightly around his legs, every couple strolling hand in hand, every early morning jog, every mid afternoon energy boost, every late night wander.
We have all made a mark on the Georgian Trail, and it has made a mark on us.
It is easy to take for granted the existence of such as trail, as it may look like it has always been here. But the history of this special place is vital to understanding its purpose in our town.
Upon the beautiful path of the trail, a railway line connecting Meaford and Collingwood was established in 1872. The railway was utilized for rail transportation until the Canadian National Railways formally withdrew in 1984.
Through the ambitions of a group of residents with combined interests to transform an abandoned railway line into a trail ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, the Georgian Trail officially opened on October 31st 1989.
The Trail now measures over thirty two kilometers, as it extends over Grey and Simcoe County, Collingwood and St. Vincent Township, and a total of three towns: Meaford, Thornbury, and Collingwood.
The magnitude of the trail is easily understood as it winds through our beautiful town and connects to Thornbury and Collingwood. One must appreciate the unification the trail provides, both of towns with neighbouring towns and people with nature.
In Meaford, the mouth of the trail is off the Meaford Harbour where it travels through parts of the town and runs alongside Highway 26 into Thornbury. There are various resting and swimming points throughout the extent of the trail as it crosses through Bayview Park in Thornbury, Craigleith Provincial Park, Northwinds Beach, as well as Council and Peasmarsh Beaches.
Although it may appear to be a small freckle on the calm eye of Meaford, it holds great importance within our community. The trail provides a spacious and beautiful area to be physically active and to be active in the community.
It allows people of our municipality to connect with one another and for the entire community to connect with other areas that share the common interest of the Georgian Trail.
Take a stroll down the trail, alone or with company, and reconnect with the beauty of this town and the wonders of nature. Take the time to discover the magnificent spaces that Meaford has to offer.
A life-long resident of Meaford, Stephanie Rennie loves to live in and write about the community of Meaford. Stephanie is working in the Children’s Department of the Meaford Public Library this summer. In the fall she will be completing the final year of a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History at the University of Guelph.
Stephanie is the new Assistant Editor for The Meaford Independent.
