Local Landowners Thanked By Bruce Trail

The Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club recently celebrated Bruce Trail Day on Sunday, Oct 1st by recognizing one of its private landowners, Richard and Emilia Jonczyk of Centreville Creek Road. The certificate of appreciation was presented by the club's president, Janice McClelland and the club's Landowner Relations volunteer, Carol Sheppard and a large group of hikers who attended the celebration. 

28.6% of the Bruce Trail is located on private property thanks to the generous support of landowners like the Jonczyks. The agreement made between these landowners and the Trail is called a handshake agreement and consists simply of the landowners kindly allowing a footpath to be located on their property.

Nothing goes on title for the property and the Trail has no legal rights to it ever. The Bruce Trail hopes to have the entire Trail secured one day but until these properties come up for sale and funding is available, these handshake agreements remain the backbone of the Trail's success. The friendship, respect and trust of these landowners are highly valued by all Bruce Trail members and we make every effort to show our sincere appreciation by events like this. We ask that all hikers using the Trail show their respect by staying on the trail at all times and by keeping it spotless. These agreements have proven to be wonderfully successful. There are hundreds of landowner partners all the way from Queenston to Tobermory and many have had the Trail on their property for decades.

Carol Sheppard
Landowner Relations Director
Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club