Inspired by the Trail: Why Peter Rowlands Gives Back Monthly
If you find yourself on the Caledon Trailway in Ontario, you may come across Peter Rowlands. A longtime monthly donor to Trans Canada Trail, Peter is also an avid Trail user.
“My most frequented, favourite section is the Caledon Trailway between Terra Cotta and Tottenham,” Peter says. I also love regular bicycle rides on the Elora Cataract Trailway to Fergus and the Town of New Tecumseth section to Thornton,” Peter says. “Other favourites include the Tay Shore Trail between Midland and Waubaushene, with regular extensions on the Uthoff Trail to Orillia and the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail from Uxbridge to Lindsay with occasional extensions to Peterborough and beyond.”
Peter chooses to give monthly to provide immediate, consistent support for the Trail he uses and loves – and to stay plugged in to the organization and see the impact of his donations.
Photo credit: Peter Rowlands
The importance of fresh air and exercise
Peter is based in Newmarket, Ontario, though he’s visited trail sections across the country. “I’ve walked, cycled, skied, and paddled small sections of the Trail throughout Canada,” Peter says. “These days, age and artificial leg joints have put the focus on cycling. From my home in Newmarket, ample opportunity exists for excursions on the Trans Canada Trail and other regional rail trails.”
Peter describes fresh air and exercise as “blessings” in his life; particularly on trails where he doesn’t have to look over his shoulder for motor vehicles.
‘The interconnective function of the Trail’
Trails offer Peter the opportunity for low-impact exercise while also providing him with a chance to absorb what nature has to offer: “Swans in the pond, eagles in the trees and snakes on the ground.” He often stops for a “tree bath,” and also to chat with other trail users who have become familiar faces over the years, reinforcing the “interconnective function” of trails. He adds that “breezing (almost) effortlessly from village to village on a manicured track evokes respect for our forebears, who laboured extremely hard for a 10-kilometre day.”
Photo credit: Peter Rowlands
Warm memories of the Trail across the country
Peter was initially inspired to donate to Trans Canada Trail after paddling some of its trail sections. When asked about any specific Trans Canada Trail memories or moments that stand out, Peter names water routes far and wide, from the Hootalinqua on the Yukon River to Frog Portage on the Churchill, Kawartha Lakes and more, in addition to hiking the Cape Spear lighthouse and trails.
He adds, “Amid numerous land-based memories are the days of cycling with my sweetheart on the trails around Peterborough and along the Grand River north of Paris.”
Photo credit: Kurt Faris
A cross-country initiative
For Peter, seeing so much of the Trail – in particular, seeing its water routes – brought upon a “recognition of a nationwide initiative parallel to the voyageurs’ network of rivers and streams.” The scope of the Trans Canada Trail was a concrete reflection of Canada’s fur-trading past, now transformed into a network of trails for all.
For Peter, donating monthly – becoming a TrailKeeper for Trans Canada Trail – is a way to give back to the trails that have given him so much joy. For Trans Canada Trail, giving monthly provides consistent support to preserve the Trail, ensuring it remains a secure and welcoming haven for nature enthusiasts, year-round. It also allows for an easy and predictable way to incorporate donations into a monthly budget. We’re so appreciative of Peter’s support – and of support from TrailKeepers across the country.
Learn more about becoming a TrailKeeper.
Donate today to support Trans Canada Trail.
Main photo credit: Jennifer Mahon
