Town of Caledon puts RED Funding towards infrastructure and public art

June 21, 2024 (CALEDON, ON) – The Town of Caledon is excited to announce several additions to infrastructure and public art along the Caledon Trailway this spring, made possible by the Rural Economic Development (RED) funding the Town received from the Provincial Government.

Public Art and RED funding

In the summer of 2023, the Town of Caledon applied for funding through the Province of Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Fund and were successful in receiving a grant for the amount of $117,274. With this funding, the Town implemented and installed various pieces of infrastructure throughout Caledon's villages to beautify and enhance public spaces, improving the visitor and resident experience in and near Caledon’s commercial core areas. The Town of Caledon continues to revitalize our villages and hamlets, using public art and wayfinding signage to create a connected sense of place and this substantial funding has allowed staff to leverage existing budget to enhance our communities.

RED Grant Funding Milestones achieved:

Today’s unveiling of the two Cardwell Junction murals
The installation of tourism wayfinding signage at village and trailway intersections
The purchase of 4 bicycle repair stations
Seasonal banners on light poles
Holiday decor

The Cardwell Junction Murals

Two new murals have been installed in Caledon East on the Caledon Trailway between Mountainview Road and St. Andrews Road. The result of a partnership between the Town of Caledon and the Caledon Trailway Book Committee, these murals are mounted onto the remaining abutments of Cardwell Junction. One mural features an illustration of a train moving along the previous railway to acknowledge the history of the site and the other illustrates people cycling and walking along the Caledon Trailway. The Cardwell Junction murals are part of the Town of Caledon’s Public Art Program and are funded in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the Town of Caledon, and a donation of book sales revenue from “The Caledon Trailway, Building the Dream” by Caledon Trailway Book Committee members: Diane Allengame, Cheri Cowan, Donna Davies, Walter Getman, Emil Kolb, Fay McCrea, Dave Mullan, Wayne Noble, Jan Smith-Bull, Betty Ward.

Tourism Wayfinding Signage

In April, 10 permanent wayfinding signs were installed along the Caledon Trailway at the village and hamlet intersections of Palgrave, Caledon East, Cheltenham, Inglewood and Terra Cotta, marking opportunities for trailway users to visit nearby businesses offering food, beverages and shopping. These signs were designed to provide context to the area surrounding the Trailway – amenities within walking distance, number of kilometers until the next village, reminders about trailway etiquette and a QR code link to Caledon’s tourism website.

Bike Repair Stations, Trailway Maintenance and Invasive Species Control

As part of the approved RED funding received, the Town was also able to purchase additional bicycle repair stations to be placed in downtowns and village intersections of the Caledon Trailway. These stations are equipped with allen keys, wrenches and air pumps, as well as a stand to comfortably complete basic maintenance to ensure the safe enjoyment of a bicycle. As part of the approved 2024 budget, the Town of Caledon has also committed to additional staff to support ongoing trailway maintenance as more residents and visitors continue to enjoy this amenity. Visitors to the Caledon Trailway will also notice the addition of boot brush stations at three locations. Installed by Parks Operations staff, these stations are part of a pilot project to increase awareness of invasive plants at some of the more popular Trailway access points. Trail users will learn about common invasive plants and what they can do to reduce the spread along the Trailway. This project was made possible through collaboration with Trans Canada Trail.

Quotes

“We are excited to unveil two new murals at Cardwell Junction, new wayfinding signage and four new bicycle repair stations, with help from the Rural Economic Development funding we received. These new installations provide better access for residents and visitors and help connect our trailway users to commercial areas and the history of Caledon. On behalf of Council and staff I express our gratitude for the support from the Rural Economic Development program.”

- Mayor Annette Groves, Town of Caledon

“Our government is committed to working with municipalities to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon. “I am pleased that the province’s Rural Economic Development program was able to contribute over $117,000 to add additional bicycle repair stations and trailway maintenance to the Caledon Trailway.”

- Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Dufferin Caledon Member of Provincial Parliament

“Our government is committed to supporting Ontario’s small towns and rural communities and I trust the return on the RED investment will pay dividends as public spaces are enhanced to attract visitors. The local murals will certainly create an attraction, while the wayfinding signage and bicycle repair stations will help tourists and locals enjoy the Caledon Trailway."

- Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs

“Enhancing our trailway underscores Caledon’s dedication to fostering active transportation, benefiting our residents and visitors alike. In improving accessibility from the trailway to local businesses we are supporting our strategic priority of community vitality and livability, enriching the vibrancy and liveliness of our hamlets and villages.

- Nathan Hyde, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Caledon

“The Caledon Trailway Book Committee (CTBC) is thrilled to be part of this project. Since 2020, CTBC has donated $63,000 to the Town of Caledon for trailway enhancements. The mural is situated in a place full of history and illustrated on the base of an old trestle bridge that supported the Canadian Pacific Railway. At one time, Cardwell Junction had a railway station, restaurant, water tower and brickyard. The Caledon Trailway exists because of a partnership between volunteers, donors and the Town. Today we see these same groups, as well as the Provincial Government, coming together to create the first murals along the Caledon Trailway”.

- Wayne Noble, Treasurer, Caledon Trailway Book Committee

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(From left to right) Back row: Nam Ho (Town of Caledon), Conner Crowe (Town of Caledon), Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Dufferin Caledon Member of Provincial Parliament, Councillor Christina Early (Town of Caledon), Aidan Windslow (Town of Caledon). Middle row: Brian Baird (Town of Caledon), Councillor Dave Sheen (Town of Caledon), Councillor Lynn Kiernan (Town of Caledon), Cherie Trevellin (Town of Caledon), Wayne Noble (Caledon Trailway Book Committee), Jeremy Johnson (Town of Caledon). Front row: Dave Mullan (Caledon Trailway Book Committee), Sabrina Davidson (Town of Caledon), Giuliana Giancotta (Town of Caledon), Jan Smith-Bull (Caledon Trailway Book Committee), Sean Davis (Davis Family Farm), Amy Davis (Davis Family Farm), Cheri Cowan (Caledon Trailway Book Committee), Joanne Davis (Davis Family Farm).

One of two new murals installed on the Caledon Trailway between Mountainview Road and St. Andrews Road. Artist: Blaze Wiradharma.