A nature trail for pleasure walkers, joggers, hikers & bird-watchers. Accessible for baby strollers, motorized scooters and wheelchairs. The trail is a photographer's paradise, from the Mill Pond through to the woodlands and the West Perth Wetlands.

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The History of the Trail

Formation of the Energy & Environment Committee

In the mid 1990's, members of MAEG (Mitchell and Area Environment Group) raised concerns about the meadows, wild life corridors and wetlands along the North Branch of the Thames River that were being eliminated. After a public meeting, it was recommended to council that a Committee to address environmental concerns be created. Thus, it was that in 1998 that the Township of West Perth Council created the West Perth Energy and Environment Committee.

Re-establishing the Trail

The original trail was actually a footpath that ran between the Dam and Rowland Street.

When Willow Lane and the Ritz Villa were developed, more people seemed to enjoy walking along the river. In the late 1970's, a design for an extended walking trail from the dam to the Ritz Villa was proposed to the Mitchell Town Council by Richard Lehnen and Gerry Kehl. Council accepted the proposal and proposed the further development of the trail on the west side of the Thames River from Howie Morenz Park to Frank Street.

During the summer of 1979 two summer students, Bill Stephen and Brenda Osborne, were hired to rough through the trail from the railway bridge to Frank Street and install stairs in the pine forest just south of the railroad bridge. Later in the summer six or so Co-Op students from Stratford joined in to complete the work. (Today, this section of the original trail system is not part of the West Perth Thames Nature Trail. Instead the trail has been re-routed along the east side of the Thames River).

Through the summer of 1980, Co-Op students, some of whom were Rob Sawyer, Kevin Doerr, and Jan Wolfley, worked to complete the trail. Many individuals and groups came forward to assist. One of the many that worked hard towards the establishing of the original trail system was the late Don McKerlie. The two benches that were placed along the north section of the trail, still remain today. 

Over the years, lack of maintenance caused the trail to become less defined in some areas. 

With the formation of the Energy & Environment Committee, interest in re-establishing the trail became a focus, and with Council's approval, the Committee proceeded to work towards the creation of the West Perth Thames Nature Trail.

Purpose

With the establishing of the West Perth Thames Nature Trail it is hoped to preserve and create environmental awareness of our natural areas and encourage future generations to make wise choices in the preservation of our world.

West Perth Thames Nature Trail Mission Statement

To provide a nature trail as a way of appreciating our ecosystems and to participate in the sustaining and enhancement of that environment.

Goals:

1. To maintain and develop our diverse natural heritage features.
2. To nurture the involvement, interaction and education of present and future generations.
3. Promote the awareness of this community as one that demonstrates sound environmental vision and practice.

Objectives:

To establish the trail to meet these goals, with the involvement of the community and to work together to implement and maintain the trail, to promote environmental awareness and a healthy lifestyle.

It was felt that more progress could be made in smaller groups, so four sub-committees were created and members of the community were invited to join.

The four sub-committees are:

• Trail
• Publicity, Promotion & Fund Raising
• Education
• Wetlands

The Trail System

Plans for the trail were formulated and the following criteria was established:

• The north branch would run from Francis Street to Highway 8 and would be wheel chair accessible. This part of the trail was an original footpath along the Mill Pond and was established as a trail in the mid 1970's. Over the years, the trail became neglected and in the late 1990's, a sub committee of the Council-appointed Energy & Environment Committee, began work on re-establishing the trail system.
   
• The middle section would begin south of Parmalat on the flats and be accessed by walking 3 short blocks south on St. George Street, from the traffic lights, to the flats. The construction of a foot bridge across Whirl Creek would join the trail with the James Street flats, where there will be varied walking loops. This section will also be wheel chair accessible.
   
• The trail will continue over the railroad tracks and become the south section. This section of the trail will be more rugged and will not be wheel chair accessible. The south section will take you along the Thames River under the Frank Street bridge and through the bush. There are many existing side loops in the bush and ultimately you will venture your way to the West Perth Wetlands.

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