Mission: We will promote and assist in the development and use of the Trans Canada Trail by supporting success at the local level in the creation of this national network.
OTTAWA, May 24, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - A new honorary section of Trans Canada Trail (TCT) was officially unveiled today on the grounds of Rideau Hall and at 24 Sussex by Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, TCT Patrons, and Mrs. Laureen Harper, Honorary Campaign Chair of the TCT Chapter 150 Campaign.
The honorary section of TCT is approximately one kilometer long and takes visitors along the MacKay Walk and passes the Canadian Heritage Garden and the Pool of Unity to the front of the Residence around the Fountain of Hope, which is dedicated to Terry Fox. The Trail returns down the main driveway and past commemorative trees planted by visiting heads of state and dignitaries, towards the Visitor's Center. A shorter section of the Trail is at 24 Sussex, directly in front of the prime minister's official residence and is linked symbolically to the Rideau Hall section of the Trail.
The plaques indicating the honorary section of TCT were unveiled by Their Excellencies and Mrs. Harper at a special event held on the grounds of Rideau Hall and at the East Gate of 24 Sussex at 3 p.m. Nearly 200 Canadians were in attendance.
During his remarks, His Excellency thanked the thousands of Canadian volunteers who have contributed selflessly to building the Trail over the past 20 years; without them it would not exist, nor would our country be what we recognize it to be today.
"As the Honorary Chair of the TCT Chapter 150 Campaign, I will admit that this is a very special moment for me. I am delighted to join Their Excellencies today in opening this honorary section of the Trans Canada Trail, a moment that I have been looking forward to for some time now," Mrs. Harper said. "When completed, the Trans Canada Trail will stretch and wind its way across Canada, from coast to coast to coast. And it will last for generations. Everyone who steps foot on this trail will get to experience Canada's natural beauty and diversity. So, to you trail blazers and trail builders I want to say how much I am looking forward to Canada Day 2017 and celebrating the completion of the Trans Canada Trail."
"The Trans Canada Trail is a gift from one generation of Canadians to another. This honorary section of Trail at Rideau Hall and at 24 Sussex is a testament to our collective love for our land and its importance to who we are as a nation," Deborah Apps, president & CEO, Trans Canada Trail said. "On behalf of all Trail volunteers past and present, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Their Excellencies and Mrs. Harper for their steadfast support and recognition of the Trans Canada Trail."
The Trail is nearly 17,000 kilometres long and is 72 per cent connected. Currently, 124 volunteer Trail projects are in progress as part of the TCT's goal to connect the Trail from coast to coast to coast by 2017. Once fully connected, the Trail will stretch almost 24,000 kilometres and will include urban, rural and wilderness trails in every province and territory.
About the Trans Canada Trail: TCT is a national non-profit organization that supports the development and use of a national Trail network, linking Canadians from coast to coast to coast, through more than a 1,000 communities and across incredible landscapes. Partnering with all levels of government and donors, the Trail supports the work of more than 400 local trail groups through funding and promotion of their efforts to build and sustain one of the world's longest and grandest recreational trails. For more information on the TCT, please visit www.tctrail.ca.
Media can download photos of this event here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tct-stc/sets/
SOURCE: Trans Canada Trail
Media Contact:
S. Gay Decker
Director of Communications
Trans Canada Trail
1-800-464-3636 ext. 4350
514-793-8537 (cell)
[email protected]
www.tctrail.ca
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