Our 40th Anniversary
The Avon Trail Board of Directors would like to invite you and your family to join us in celebrating the 40 years
of the Avon Trail. 1975 - 2015
Let the celebrations begin
The Avon Trail begins its 40th year of operation November 1st, 2014. That means we started in 1975.
This Anniversary could not have been achieved without hiking over private lands. Whether it is along cropped
fields, through Conservation property or through bush land, we have come to cherish the privilege provided by
our Landowners.
The 40 years of the Trail could also not have been achieved without the many volunteers who developed the
trail, manage the trail and the hikers who travel over its footpath. Hats off to each and every one as together we
celebrate this achievement.
Starting with the Launch November 9, 2014 and winding up November 1, 2015, we have a series of activities
planned to celebrate our Anniversary. Below is a list of events that you are most welcome to attend. Over the
anniversary year, more information will be found at www.avontrail.ca or by emailing [email protected]
Launch - November 9th - 1pm - TJ Dolan Natural area Stratford at the end of West Gore St, opposite Woodland
Towers. We plan on hiking for an hour and then will go for cake and refreshments at the Griffith Hall – Spruce
Lodge. Please park at the Health Unit parking lot. RSVP [email protected] Please bring any memorabilia. And
if you have a T shirt, hat or sweat shirt with the Avon trail logo, please wear it.
Special Membership cards are being created. See these new cards at the Launch when you purchase your
Membership to the Trail for 2015.
Sponsor a Tree – 40 trees for 40 years
We would like to be planting 40 trees for our 40 years - along the trail. Would you like to sponsor the purchase
of a tree? Please let us know by directing your donation this year to the “40 Trees for 40 Years “ campaign.
We hope to order the trees this fall and be finished planting by the end of April 2015. Suggested donation
$25.00.
End-to-End – Spring 2015 - We are hiking the whole Avon trail through a series of sequential hikes starting in
the spring 2015 and ending in the fall. Each hike will be approximately10kms. We will walk from the beginning
of the trail in St. Marys to the end of the trail in the Village of Conestogo. These hikes can be at a leisure
pace….so if you enjoy hiking at the Tuesday hike pace, then theses hikes are for you too. Please join us.
Trail Social Event - Fall 2015 - One day hiking extravaganza (varied interesting hikes, delicious lunch and
more) on a section of trail about halfway along the trail’s length. Further information will be available in the
Spring 2015.
History of the Avon Trail Booklet – publication date spring 2015 - The trail moves from its start in St Marys
where the Thames Valley Trail ends and works its way north meeting the Grand Valley Trail in the Village of
Conestogo. This fascinating booklet will include stories of the volunteers and the trail’s humble beginnings 40
years ago. We have kept the price at cost for our members at $5.00 each. So please pick up a few of them.
T shirts and Hats
Gerbers in Milverton is the best place to shop for Avon trail things…..order your Hat and T shirt or sweat shirt
Early November for Christmas delivery.
Licence Plate Covers
It has been found that one of the quietest ways and efficient ways, to spread the word about an organization is
through Licence Plate covers. Imagine if you will that you are sitting in traffic and looking straight ahead…..and
there is something that catches your eye on the vehicle in front of you.
We will have them available for you to purchase at the Low Low price of $ 5.00 each. And yes, we can give you
a hand putting them on your vehicle.
Avon Trail Guidebook 7th Edition
Most of us find it hard to believe that we have sold 500 copies of the 6th edition guidebook since it’s publication
March 2012. But we are out of stock and are looking at a 7th edition for publication of March 2015. The Trail
Auditors are nearly completing their work to hike the whole Trail and provide us feedback not just on trail
maintenance requirements but also on new trail re routes, through GPS notes. Later this Fall and early winter the
GIS work gets started with the assistance of Jamie Hember.
If you would like to lend a hand with the Guidebook, please be in touch with [email protected].
Let the celebrations begin