4 November, 2025

A Fierce Advocate for Trails and Nature in Wakefield, Quebec

Man sitting on bench outside a yellow house, smiling at the camera.

Ken Bouchard’s contribution to Sentiers Wakefield Trails

Trails have been a part of Ken Bouchard’s life since childhood. “I’d been introduced to hiking at 10 years old when I went to camp in Maine near the Appalachian Trail,” he says. “I was fascinated with hiking. The Appalachian Trail would hire students, and I got a book from the club called How to Build Trails.” Later, in his thirties, Ken furthered his knowledge with a weeklong course on trail building.

When Ken and his wife, Heather, moved to Wakefield, Quebec, he found a community of like-minded trail and hiking enthusiasts who were looking to build trails in and around the village. “There were six of us – all people who had hiked together in the White Mountains and who lived between Ottawa and Wakefield. That was the start of building a proper trail,” he says.

A sign reading Sentier Transcanadien sits about a sign reading Sentiers Wakefield Trails

Photo credit: David Chan

‘With trails, you’re constantly learning’

With support from Trans Canada Trail, the group worked with two contractors who had trained other trail builders. “We started building the trail from the community centre to Mill Road. We learned a lot from them. With trails, you’re constantly learning.”

Ken continually enhanced his knowledge about all things trail. He took a first aid course, including practical on-trail experience, so he could lead hiking groups with more confidence. Ken also worked with Richard Senécal, former General Director of the Conseil québécois du Sentier Transcanadien, and Mathieu Roy, current CEO of Trans Canada Trail, to develop a plan, and later to build, the Trans Canada Trail on the east side of the Gatineau River from Low to Wakefield.

A man stands in front of a trailhead map, looking at two people who are facing him.

Photo credit: Union Eleven

A volunteer recognition event with Sentiers Wakefield Trails

In February 2025, in recognition of Ken’s decades of service in the community, and with support from Trans Canada Trail’s Volunteer Recognition Program, Sentiers Wakefield Trails hosted a wine and cheese reception for approximately 20 volunteers within the community.

They presented Ken with a Tell Your Trail map of the Trans Canada Trail, along with a gift certificate for a local restaurant, The Village House. Stephen Rudnicki, Board of Director with Sentiers Wakefield Trails, says that Ken was instrumental in the founding of the organization. “Ken has been a fierce advocate for trails and trail building in our community. His involvement with Trans Canada Trail goes back to the beginning, and his advocacy was instrumental in bringing the Trail through the community.”

A smiling older man looks out of frame right. He's wearing a green toque and sunglasses. There is snow falling and snow collected on his toque and shoulders.