Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to Mr. Dexter’s letter concerning signage for the Elora Cataract Trail through the town of Fergus. Mr. Dexter is probably quite correct in his assessment of the signage, however does he realize that much of the maintenance of the trailway is done by the Elora Cataract Trailway Association, a VOLUNTEER organization that relies on people just like him to give of their time and yes, money to help keep the trailway in fine shape. The GRCA and CVCA have much to say and do about the Trailway in working with the aforementioned group but all groups are financially strapped these days, therefore one should NOT expect everything to be perfect.
If you want more amenities and clearer signage with better quality trails then join the ECT or at the very least volunteer some of your time and or money or better yet, both to them.
I belong to both the Rockwood & District LIONS Club and an informal walking group called The Friends of Dr. Cairo Walking and Appreciation Society. The local LIONS clubs along the trail are working to provide benches along the trail, see the ECT website for more details.
My walking group which started about 2 decades ago with 3 people has about 16 people who regularly walk the various trails around Rockwood every Saturday morning. Sometime into our history we decided to donate a looney from each walker every week they walked. When the amount got to $50.00 a money order was cut by our treasurer and sent out to either the Trans-Canada Trail, Bruce Trail, Grand River Foundation, Guelph Hiking Club, Hamilton Conservation Authority and the Elora Cataract Trailways Assoc., in rotation. A few years ago we began to give a tooney after each walk and to date (8/10/13) we have donated $8,220.00 to these fine organizations.
So, Mr. Dexter, we challenge you and your riding friends to do the same. A looney or tooney can go along way to keeping the trails available to everyone.
Scott Jamieson-secretary
F of Dr, Cairo
Rockwood
Scott Jamieson