Mount Brydges (Strathroy-Caradoc) – On Friday November 19th, 2021, partners of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation came together to celebrate the completion of Longwoods Accessible Boardwalk as a result of receiving a Capital Grant of a $94,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The grant was used to complete a reconstruction of a 35-year-old 1 km accessible boardwalk at Longwoods Road Conservation Area, south of Mount Brydges. Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex; Amelia Sloan, an Ontario Trillium Foundation representative; Strathroy- Caradoc Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden, contractor Lucas Michielsen of Millworks Custom Carpentry and Stone; Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation Directors and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) CAO and staff attended the celebration.

 

MPP Monte McNaughton and OTF representative Amelia Sloan.

“As a resident of Mount Brydges, the Longwoods Boardwalk has always been a point of pride,” said MPP McNaughton. “With the renovations completed today, we’re ensuring this trail will be accessible to families, seniors, and people with disabilities, so everyone in our community can appreciate the beauty of nature in the Longwoods Conservation Area.”

The investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this special section of the Millstream trail provides public access to a provincially recognized significant wetland and is one of very few local trails that allows people with mobility issues to view a beautiful Carolinian forest and marshland. The boardwalk reconstruction was completed in the spring of this year, overcoming unforeseen delays resulting from the pandemic.

“This is indeed a celebration, a celebration of partners working together to provide our community an exciting and accessible walk into nature. Enjoy!” states Mark Peacock – LTVCA CAO.

“We stand here today, and we see how cooperation and working together can provide us with this accessible structure for all people in our community and beyond, to enjoy nature at its best; et y prendre plaisir.” said Dan McKillop – President of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation.

Longwoods Road Conservation Area is a 155-acre property and home to the Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum – offering educational programming, public events,10 km of nature trails and group camping.  It is one of 18 public conservation areas owned and operated by the LTVCA.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.  Visit otf.ca to learn more.