More Than Just a Trail
The Credit Valley Trail (CVT) is more than just a trail. It will connect communities, greenspaces, people and families, while fostering a sense of place and connection to the Credit River.
The CVT will be a 100-kilometre pathway through the Credit River Valley. From the hills of the headwaters in Orangeville to Lake Ontario in Mississauga, the trail will connect watershed communities to the beauty of nature, Indigenous heritage and values, rich cultural experiences and the sustaining waters of the Credit River.
First Steps Along the CVT Trail
The Board of Directors at Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) approved the Credit Valley Trail Strategy in 2017, which sets out the shared vision, mission and guiding principles for the CVT.
We worked with project partners for two years to create a strategy that will guide collective efforts for the next 25 years. This strategy aims to establish a continuous trail connecting people from Orangeville at Island Lake to the mouth of the Credit River in Mississauga. Additionally, this strategy outlines our collective objectives and priorities over this time and offers a framework for measuring our progress and accomplishments.
Together with our municipal partners in Orangeville, Caledon, Halton Hills, Brampton and Mississauga, we have successfully developed the CVT brand along existing trails, secured land access and built new trails. Our staff have hiked sections of the CVT with our regional chapters and gathered with the Indigenous Roundtable (IRT) to develop the first key site along the CVT.
Indigenous Roundtable
The IRT was formed to meet the goals outlined in the Bimaadiziwin Nibi Aawan (Water is Life) Indigenous Experience Plan, which later influenced the development of the seven key Dodem (Clan) sites along the CVT. Community representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Cree and Huron-Wendat First Nations, working alongside CVC and CVT partners, make up the Indigenous led committee known as the IRT. This project space aims to bring Indigenous culture and experiences to life along the trail.
Progress Being Made
Secured Optimum Routes
- Secured 27.2 kilometres of optimum route in the first five years
Built Trail and Trail Infrastructure
- Built washroom, boardwalk and way-finding signage at Ken Whillans Conservation Area
- Built Pedestrian bridge and way-finding signage at Upper Credit Conservation Area
- Connected and built the Upper Canada College trail
Fundraising
- Raised $4.5 million in the first five years and are working to fundraise $5.5 million more over the next five years to reach our goal of $10 million in 10 years
Connected, Celebrated and Built Relationships
- Collaborated with nearly 100 community partners and volunteers
- Greenbelt funding announcement
- Launched the CVT brand
Supporting Indigenous Placemaking
- Seven Indigenous placemaking sites to be completed in the Credit River Watershed.
- All sites will feature interpretive signage, public art installations, trail markers and other culturally appropriate amenities.
- Sites will incorporate Indigenous storytelling, teachings and symbology.
The Path Ahead: 2024 to 2028
By harnessing the support of our chapter members, municipal working groups and volunteers, we aim to connect more people in our communities and watershed visitors with the CVT. Our goal is to inspire and nurture an ethic of care among trail users by providing them with the opportunity to experience the natural and cultural heritage of the Credit River Valley at the CVT, making it their destination of choice. We have several priorities in focus for the next 5-year strategy that include:
- Connecting more trail in Halton Hills from Norval to Glen Williams.
- Connecting trails in Brampton, specifically our newly acquired Churchville property, to the Siemens property in Brampton.
- More landowner outreach to acquire valley lands so we can connect trails in Halton Hills and Caledon.
- Fundraise $5.5 million to reach out 10-year goal of $10 million.
- Increase Chapter membership and actively engage with communities to promote the CVT.
- Activate the first Dodem site – The Crane Gathering Space, that was formerly opened on Friday June 7, 2024.
- Support connecting the Ontario Bicycle Route trail and expanding it to link with the CVT.
If you would like to become a chapter member, please connect with us.
By Raiden Levesque, Senior Coordinator, Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous Engagement
Amazing vision to set a bold and long-term partnership with common priorities. Great strides made and planned to achieve the long-term strategy. Keep up the great work, especially connecting Orangeville to Mississauga for wildlife and nature lovers!
Thank you for your support and kind words Rebecca! We can’t wait to share what’s next.
There is a lot of privately owned land and golf courses along the Credit, how do you propose to maintain a continuous trail from end to end?
We are working with local municipalities and engaging private landowners (such as golf courses) on opportunities to build and maintain a trail corridor over a long period of time. There are a number of tools other than land acquisition available for partners, including agreements and easements to help facilitate access, which may be right for certain sections of the optimal route. Respect for and support from, private landowners is critical to achieving the shared vision
Please, would you stop using, or significantly correct, the artist’s concept image of the CVT? It was troubling last year. Time has not improved it. It is like a game of “find-the-errors”! Between the sinking canoe, children appearing to play and picnic in a marshland area (presumably with ticks), scaling and size issues, questionable bridge span engineering, and inconsistent lighting direction (sun AND shadows on the same side of some figures) – the whole effect is very disquieting. And takes away from the positive message. Giving the impression of a lack of planning and attention to detail. If even this conceptual drawing cannot be gotten right, why should we believe in the project?
Just my opinion. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments on the CVT rendered image and some of the design choices. This was an illustrative rendering produced by Brook McIlroy Landscape Architects to capture the six experiential themes of the CVT taking place at scene set at Upper Credit Conservation Area. It is not meant to be reflective of actual conditions and built public realm which may be implemented. As more CVT trail is constructed, we will consider moving to real world images that may be more inspiring and accurate for trail audiences.