In 1995,
with a significant donation from Chrylser Canada (now
DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.), the Essex Region Conservation
Authority (ERCA) purchased 42 km of abandoned railway coridor to
preserve this significant corridor. An 18 month public planning
process determined that the property would best benefit the
community as a multi-use recreational trail, underground utility
corridor and a natural green space. The corridor begins south of
Oldcastle, and continues south through the Towns of McGregor and
Harrow. Here, it turns east and proceeds through Kingsville to
Ruthven at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens. In the past several years,
additional extensions have been purchased and currently, the
Greenway is nearly 50 kilometres in length.
The Greenway
is one of Canada's most beautiful trails for hiking, biking
running, birding, cross country skiing and in some areas, horseback
riding. It connects natural areas, rich agricultural lands,
historically and architecturally significant structures, award
winning wineries and many other features that make the Essex Region
unique. The Greenway effectively joins 25 otherwise separate
natural areas and three watersheds. It significantly improves the
quality of life in the Essex Region by connecting people to nature
and culture in a way that is accessible to all. It is also the
southern-most section of the Trans-Canada Trail.
Because of
the success of the initial Greenway trail, in 2001, CN donated an
addition 26 kilometre stretch of abandoned rail line that stretches
from Amherstburg to the urban centre of Essex and intersecting with
the existing Greenway. This section will be developed into a
recreational trail as funding allows, bringing our vision of a
region connected by trails one step closer to reality.
