By Alex Hargrave
Trails within Clearview Township make our picturesque neighbourhood an alluring destination for a wide variety of people. Hikers, cyclists, snowmobile enthusiasts can all enjoy the stunning views and diverse nature that define our Township.
This coming Saturday, the Township is planning a morning festival to celebrate International Trails Day. Since 2008, the municipality has built more than 20 km of trails for its residents to enjoy either by walking or cycling. The dream is to link the villages and towns together by a trail system.
Last year, the Township constructed a trail through the Simcoe County forest that stretches from Airport Road to Centre Line. Locals would know this section as “Bear Alley.” This section will be featured on International Trails Day. It is breathtaking and is considered to be the jewel of the trail. You do need to be careful when venturing here, as only recently gates have been installed at both ends to prevent motorized vehicles from entering. Some are still entering to enjoy the playground. As time evolves, the goal is to make it accessible for everyone to enjoy together.
At 10 am on International Trails Day, the Township will bus people from Creemore to Centre Line to start the 6 km hike or cycle. If people only want to enjoy 3 km, the bus will be waiting at Airport Road for pick up and return to Creemore. For the more energetic, they can continue along the trail via the “back way out of Creemore” from Airport Road to the village.
Back at Station on the Green, Midnight Low, a local teenage band that recently won a major radio station’s Battle of the Bands event, will be playing. Other entertainment will include a children’s choir, young dancers from the Danceroom and the Clearview Community Theatre group. There will be lots of activities for kids.
Clearview Trails’ most active stretch is along the old rail line that runs from Stayner to Collingwood. Our trail networks with the Collingwood Trail, which ties in with the Georgian Trails. Essentially, a user can get from Stayner to Meaford by a safe passage way. The Township has also built trails in New Lowell. Plans are to create more trails to link Creemore with New Lowell and New Lowell to Stayner in the next five years, if possible.
Incredibly, Clearview is not that far away from hooking into the Trans Canada Trail, joining Clearview with the rest of Canada by a footpath. Since there is a paved trail in Base Borden and the Trans Canada Trail travels through Thornton, the possibility is imaginable. Duntroon’s Peter Dunbar, who heads the Simcoe County trail system, has expressed that the County has a vision of connecting the various towns and hamlets together.
Building the Clearview Trail is a work in progress. Not everyone wants to share their land. The Township has had to be creative in building their trail system. It hasn’t always been ideal for construction. Yet in order to grow, the trail needs to be created. Over time, the Township will be blessed to have an extensive network of safe trails for your convenience.
International Trails Day Trail Mixer
Saturday, June 7
Bus leaves Creemore Library at 10 am
3 km or 6 km run, walk or ride
Music and entertainment at Station on the Green, 9 am to noon