Guelph’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail was officially opened and named the Gus Stahlmann Trail this morning at an event held in John Galt Park. Mayor Karen Farbridge, members of City Council, Dan Andrews – Executive Director of Trans Canada Trail Ontario, and Mr. Stahlmann were in attendance.

To mark the official opening, the Trans Canada Trail presented the City of Guelph with a grant of $62,500, the second installment of their $125,000 grant to the City.

The trail, which runs from Eramosa Road to the City limits north along the Guelph Junction Railway corridor, has been named in honour of the City of Guelph’s longest-serving Director of Community Services, who retired in 2007 after 34 years of service. Mr. Stahlmann was a leader in the formation of Guelph’s trail system, including the Royal Recreational Trail and Trails Master Plan, as well as numerous parks and open spaces. He was a key figure in the renovation of Hastings Stadium and the creation of the Evergreen Seniors Centre and the River Run Centre.

“This trail opening marks the completion of a significant amount of work—and a major addition to Guelph’s excellent trails system,” said Mayor Farbridge. “We appreciate the support of the Trans Canada Trail, which helped make this project possible.”

A member of the public suggested naming the trail after Mr. Stahlmann. The name was recommended by the City’s Naming Committee and adopted by City Council at its September 26 meeting.

New panels bearing Gus Stahlmann’s name will be installed on Guelph’s Trans Canada Trail Pavilion and a separate pedestal sign will be erected at the beginning of the trail at Eramosa Road.

Designed with input from residents, the Gus Stahlmann Trail is a paved, multi-use trail that links several parks and open spaces located in north Guelph to the downtown core. It is a fully accessible, safe and separate off-road trail that runs through a number of parks and adjacent to the Guelph Junction Railway.

Pollination Guelph is working with City staff to establish areas of native pollinator plantings along the trail and the Guelph Junction Railway corridor, in their continuing role as habitat protectors and education leaders.

The Gus Stahlmann Trail excludes the section of the Trans Canada Trail that runs through John Galt Park. In 1998, City Council approved the naming of this section the Alf Hales Trail in recognition of the former Director of the Grand River Conservation Authority who served in this role for several years. A park plaque and Trans Canada Trail Pavilion signage commemorate this dedicated portion of the trail.

In addition to the Gus Stahlmann Trail, newly named City properties include Grand Central Station (intermodal transit terminal), and two new neighbourhood parks, Cedarvale Avenue Park (formerly Cityview Heights Subdivision Park), and Northview Park (formerly Northview Subdivision Park). The naming of Kortright Park has been deferred to 2012.

The Trans Canada Trail/Sentier Transcanadien is a national non-profit organization that supports the development and use of a national network that links millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Canadians and international visitors use the Trail to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile. Partnering with the Government of Canada, Parks Canada, and sponsors and donors, the Trans Canada Trail contributes to the work of more than 400 communities and thousands of volunteers across the country through grants and promotion of their efforts to build and sustain the world’s longest and grandest recreational trail.

Source: City of Guelph