Canopy Growth supports heritage trail rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of the next section of Upper Canada Heritage Trail is a little closer to reality with a $40,000 donation from Canopy Growth.

The trail from John Street to Charlotte Street has been completed, with the next step in the process for rehabilitation of the former Erie and Ontario Railroad line to take place from Charlotte Sreet to East and West Line.

Canopy’s Sean Webster was in NOTL last week for the announcement of the donation for a project the company is honoured to support, as it will provide a safe trail for residents to safely walk, run and cycle, he said.

Canopy, which also recently purchased iPads for Niagara long-term care homes, is committed to supporting communities where it has operations, Webster said.

NOTL’s Tweed Farms, owned by Canopy, is one of the largest medical cannabis operations in Canada.

“Canopy Growth believes we can ‘Grow Good Together’ with our neighbours to create change in order to make a positive impact in the communities we call home. We are proud to support the Heritage Trail to achieve those objectives,” said Webster.

With a dead, and dangerous tree to be taken down this week, the trail from Charlotte Street and East and West Line will be closed until Friday at 4 p.m. The tree will be removed by a crane, along with some other trees, and a brush cleanup, a Town press release said.

Tony Chisholm of the heritage trail committee said the Town’s design for this section of the trail has not yet been completed, but should be available for public input later this month.

Committee members are hoping to find a compromise that will provide a balance for those who want it to look more natural, and those who would like the path to be more accessible for cyclists and those with strollers, walkers and wheelchairs, Chisholm said.

The first section that has been completed is seeing a definite increase in the number of locals who are using it, says Coun. Allan Bisback, whose deck backs onto the trail. Bisback is also on the committee with a group of dedicated volunteers, who continue to promote awareness of the trail and sustain its maintenance through fundraising efforts.

The rehabilitation of the trail has been, and will continue to be, achieved solely through donations by local residents and businesses, the Town’s news release said. The objective is for the Upper Canada Heritage Trail to be an integral part of the active transportation system in Niagara-on-the-Lake, connecting communities and offering a multi-use trail for residents.

The Heritage Trail fundraising group is seeking donations for the project. Donations can be sent to: The Heritage Trail Committee c/o of the Town of Niagara-on-the Lake, PO Box 100, Virgil, ON, L0S 1T0. Donations of $25 and more will receive a charitable tax receipt. For more information visit heritagetrail.ca.