GOSLING BRIDGE OFFICIALLY OPENThe beautiful James Street trail is a key piece of the Guelph Radial Line and a significant part of the GHTC’s Trail network. It links central Guelph to some of the city’s best natural features, like the Arboretum at the University of Guelph. The trail runs along the south side of the Eramosa river on the abandoned rail bed of the 1920’s Toronto Suburban Railway from Marianne's Park at Gordon St. to Victoria Road. Early in 2021 the Guelph Hiking Trail Club with support from the Speed River Cycling Club, Guelph Victors running club, Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation and Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association began a fundraising campaign to build a multi-use bridge over the storm water crossing that cut through the James Street trailway. It was impassable for some and seasonally hazardous for all, because of a dangerous crossing in the first kilometre. The bridge previously referred to as the James St Trail Bridge was officially opened and renamed Gosling Bridge on November 20th 2021. Dr Phil Gosling performed the ribbon cutting and made some encouraging remarks to all in attendance. Dr Phil Gosling is renowned for being a founder of the Bruce Trail and his philanthropic support for the natural environment. In 1971 he recommended a separate organization from the Bruce Trail Association should be formed to link Guelph to the Bruce trail in Limehouse and the Guelph Hiking Trail Club was born. 50 years later The Gosling Foundation made a substantial contribution to the "Build a Bridge" campaign and the 5 community organizations that worked to make the bridge a reality agreed to rename the bridge in his honour. The bridge was made possible thanks to a successful $50,000 community fundraising campaign launched by the trail club in the spring with support from the Speed River Cycling Club, Guelph Victors running club, Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation and Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association. It also received financial support from the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph and the federal government.The new bridge was lowered in place in October 2021. |