Photos supplied. Station Trail, with railway ties still visible, leads to the Towerhill development.
We are all very lucky that our township has an active committee that builds and maintains a wonderful series of trails. And they’re continuing their good work. I hope you read the lead story in the last edition of the Times about a new trail that connects our system of trails with those in the Ganaraska Forest. But just a short time before that work, they were busy building the new Station Trail, which runs for a kilometre and a half from just across the street from the medical centre up around McGuire Drive and the Brookside Street subdivision and comes out on County Road #10.
I walked it last week for the second time (oh, what I do for you!) and I know you’ll enjoy reading about it and, I hope, getting out and walking it.
The signboard at the King Street trailhead is very informative. And it tells us that this trail uses a portion of the rail bed of the Grand Trunk Railway. In fact I was amazed when walking it to come upon many railway ties still in place! The sign goes on to inform us that the Grand Trunk Railway served Ontario and Quebec in the mid to late 1800s. In reality, as a little research revealed, (the sign has simplified the history with its variety of railway company names), long-time residents and history buffs will know that this railway was in operation until 1951.
We’ve had several good rains in the last week or so, and because of this the numerous creeks or small streams along the trail were full when I walking there. In fact at one point I heard the sound of running water.
The trail passes through mostly forest, and the trees you see are primarily cedar, aspen and birch; some of the aspen are quite sizeable. At one point the shade from the cedars was quite dense and I had the impression of being totally separated from the world by this grove of trees.
As I headed north, the thick trees suddenly gave way and I was confronted by civilization once again. And it was quite the confrontation! In front of me was the new Towerhill subdivision. The effect was especially strong because the houses confronting me were three storeys. I realized that the ground drops away and so what I was seeing was the backs of the houses with walkout basements.
From this point the trail is a broad expanse of hard-packed crushed stone and the trail continues on to #10, with a creek (actually a drainage ditch) running alongside of it. This part of the trail, which is easily reached and seen from #10 would be good part to visit if you find walking at all difficult. The builders of the trail have had to cut through an area of cedar to make the trail. Some cedars have been left to shield the backyards of residents on Brookside Street. And I hope the undergrowth under these cedars thickens up to provide more privacy for the residents, who I’m sure were astounded and non-plussed to find a trail directly behind their houses.
As you walk the trail I have a couple of words of advice. At several places there are small paths or trails that feed off the main trail (I believe these provide access to Brookside and McGuire). Do not turn onto any of these (if you want to travel only the main trails). There are signs along the trail directing you but for some reason they are absent here and there and I was left wondering if I should have been turning. And if you are travelling the trail in the direction of King Street don’t be surprised when you come to a “No Trespassing” sign. This is just before a hydro right-of way. Surely the sign is to warn people from going along under the hydro lines.
The new Station Trail offers a variety of things to see: forest, streams and wildflowers. It’s a short trail, connecting to several neighbourhoods including the South Cavan Elementary School. And if you’re up for it you can combine shopping or eating in downtown Millbrook for the complete experience. Get out! And enjoy!
Get Out! by Glen Spurrell
