- 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.
[Home] [Orient Yourself] [Trail Features] [Timelines] [Guestbook] [Human Elements] [Links]
Mitchell Advocate – Wednesday, October 1, 2003
By Andy Bader
 |
| BRIDGE WORK The foot bridge over Whirl Creek was
officially opened Sunday. On hand for the ribbon cutting were Mayor John
Van Bakel (left), and committee members Don Jones, Gerry Kehl, Sebastian
Scala, Patty Kehl, Peter Huitema, Ted Eglinton and Bert Vorstenbosch. Andy Bader Photo |
Mitchell Advocate — An estimated 150 people were in attendance for both the official opening and dedication of the foot bridge over Whirl Creek, part of the West Perth Thames Nature Trail, and an afternoon of hiking Sunday afternoon. The weatherman certainly co-operated, as sunshine dominated the formal part of the proceedings on a typical autumn afternoon.
It was a time to formally recognize all the efforts of many people who believed the bridge and the trail concept would evolve as far as it has. Bert Vorstenbosch, the Chairperson of the West Perth Energy & Environment [E & E] Committee since it’s beginning, has been an avid volunteer and supporter for the trail and footbridge.
Vorstenbosch said four years ago the E & E committee had a dream to rejuvenate the trail system in Mitchell, and now, a bridge has been put in place to link the groomed trail.
“If there was a bridge over the creek here, it would be a great thing,” said Vorstenbosch, “and here we go.”
As a point of interest, Vorstenbosch donated the three large stones located around the foot bridge which were used for dedications.
“If I was only remembered for the stones here, it would be worth it,” he said.
The middle and south portion of the trail was made possible by a generous $25,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation after an application was submitted by the Optimist Club of Mitchell. Walter McKenzie, a Trillium Foundation representative, presented Ted Eglinton, Chairperson of the Trail Committee, a plaque commemmorating that donation.
“The money provided gave you what you see here,” said Eglinton. “We hope you enjoy it.”
Ken Maronets, also a member of the West Perth Energy & Environment Committee from the beginning, is also a representative of the Perth Stewardship Network. Maronets said the trail “connects us all....both now and in the future” and added he was excited about the future of the trail project.
“The future is bright. We’ve got a lot of good folks who work awfully hard,” he said.
Murray Park, President of the Lions Club of Mitchell, made a $3,000 presentation to Vorstenbosch and Patty Kehl, Chairperson of the Bridge Committee - the first instalment of the bridge pledge from the Lions. Many donations of various amounts have been made to the foot bridge and trail project.
“The people who have worked so hard to make this a reality are forever grateful for the generosity of the community in supporting the dream,” said Gerry Kehl, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event.
A Special Recognition Rock was unveiled by both Vorstenbosch and Patty Kehl. The plaques on the rock are in recognition of the donors that donated in excess of $1,000, or platinum sponsors, to the construction of the foot bridge over Whirl Creek: Mitchell Firefighters Past & Present, Lions Club of Mitchell, Rotary Club of Mitchell, Mitchell District Kinettes Club, In Honour of Kingsley and Dorothy Robinson, Peter Bowman, 1949-2001, Love from Mitchell Public School; Harry & Sherry McIver; Parmalat, Tudor Lodge 141, Masonic AF &AM GRC; Energy & Environment Committee, Municipality of West Perth
Members of the bridge and trail committee also participated in the official ribbon cutting to open the foot bridge and recognize the joining of the north, middle and south sections of the West Perth Thames Nature Trail.
There is still plenty of room on the handrails on the bridge for more plaques and donor forms, said Kehl, and interested people can contact any member of the committee for more information.
Heart Health Perth, who generously participated in the sponsorship of the event
this year as well as the last two years, provided some financial support to the
hike. Llamas were brought in courtesy of Harold and Aileen Burgin and the 4-H
club for children to ride if so desired.
[Home] [Orient Yourself] [Trail Features] [Timelines] [Human Elements] [Links]