The Caledon Trailway Book Committee announces the final gift of funds raised through sales of The Caledon Trailway: Building the Dream.
Since 2020, just over $66,000 has been donated to the Town of Caledon for Trailway enhancements including metal and stone benches, bicycle repair stands and bike bollards, entrance signs, map kiosks and beautification of the Cardwell Junction site.
Author Diane Allengame notes that the Caledon Trailway was established on the old Canadian National Railway line which crossed the width of Caledon. “While council voted approval of the project in 1988, it took years of collaboration between volunteers, community partners and the Town to turn the right of way into a multi-use trail.” In 1995 The Caledon Trailway became the first registered link on the Trans Canada Trail and its popularity and use have grown every year.
Before memories of the Trailway’s early years were lost, a team of volunteers began researching and collecting stories, resulting in a gorgeous coffee-table book printed in 2019. From the first book sale forward, all profits went back to the Town for Trailway enhancements.
Committee member Wayne Noble adds “the Trailway Book Committee thanks supporters for their donations and encouragement: Armando Rosano, Caledon Council Community Golf Tournament grant, 2018, John Spina, Piero Carbone, James Dick Construction, Robert Fines, David Russell Moore, Caledon East & District Historical Society, Caledon East School Reunion Committee, Wayne Noble, Marrex Construction & Excavating, and Glen Echo Nurseries.”
Caledon Hills Cycling, Cheltenham General Store, Davis Family Farm, Glen Echo Nurseries, Inside Out Chiropractor, Caledon East Pharmasave, Caledon Public Library, Sproule’s Emporium and the Wishbone Restaurant sold books, with 100% of sales going back to the Committee. Noble comments “only a few books are left and they’re at Pharmasave.”
Trailway Book Committee members Diane Allengame, Donna Davies, Cheri Cowan, Wayne Noble, Fay McCrea, Dave Mullan and Jan Smith-Bull also thank Councillor Nick de Boer for his assistance at the start of the project, Brian Baird and the Town of Caledon staff who helped with the logistics and maintenance of the new features, and who care passionately about this remarkable linear park.
The Committee also acknowledges the passing of much beloved committee members: Emil Kolb, Walter Gettman and Betty Ward. “We were so lucky to have their memories and input as the book was developed,” adds Allengame. “Almost ten years after we began this project we still feel a great amount of pride in The Caledon Trailway: Building the Dream. The book, and the Trailway it documents, are lasting testaments to the power of community.”
