Engineering firm B. M. Ross and Associates Limited donates $5,000 and services to new pedestrian walkway to Bayfield River Flats Natural Area
Project partners say donation from B. M. Ross and Associates will help move community closer to creating pedestrian walkway so people can walk from Bayfield to nature area without having to walk across highway
An engineering firm in Goderich is helping the Bayfield and area community to move closer to the dream of a pedestrian walkway to the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area.
B. M. Ross and Associates Limited is donating $5,000 to the walkway fundraising campaign. The firm is also helping the walkway project partners with preparation of a quotation package for contractors and will help with periodic inspections while the walkway is being constructed.
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is leading a fundraising campaign on behalf of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC). The Land Trust owns and permanently preserves the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area. The Bayfield River Flats is an important area for recreation and for species habitat.
Roger Lewington is Past Chair of HTLTC. He said the generous donation from B. M. Ross will go a long way towards moving the walkway project forward.
“The trail association and the Land Trust are so appreciative of this generous support from B. M. Ross for both a financial contribution as well as critical engineering services,” he said. “This is a big step forward and we hope this community-minded donation will inspire others to support this project and help us to move closer to our goal.”
Dale Erb is President with B. M. Ross and Associates Limited, of Goderich.
“B. M. Ross and Associates Limited is pleased to support the community’s effort to create a new pedestrian walkway to the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area,” he said. “This project reflects our company’s commitment to nature and active outdoor recreation. We look forward to our continued involvement with this exciting endeavour.”
PHOTO INFORMATION: B. M. ROSS AND ASSOCIATES LIMITED DONATES $5,000 AND ADDED SERVICES TO PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AT BAYFIELD RIVER FLATS NATURAL AREA – Near the site of a new pedestrian walkway at the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, announcing the donation of $5,000 and valuable additional services from B. M. Ross and Associates Limited, are (from left to right in photo): Jack Pal, Bayfield River Valley Trail Association – BRVTA; Jennette Walker, B. M. Ross and Associates Limited; Brock Spencer, B. M. Ross; Ken Logtenberg, B. M. Ross; Ryan Devries, B. M. Ross; Kelly Vader, B. M. Ross; and Dave Gillians, Bayfield River Valley Trail Association. (Photo by Peter Jeffers)
The project partners say the new walkway will ‘connect the community with nature.’ They say the walkway will complete the Bayfield River Flats project which began in 2017. At that time, the trail association led a successful community fundraising campaign that raised more than $70,000 with the support of more than 200 individual donors. That campaign made it possible to purchase the nature area and donate it to the land trust for permanent preservation.
A ‘Walkway to the Finish Line’ evening took place at Bayfield Town Hall on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It was a casual evening to celebrate the project and to raise funds for the walkway.
(PLEASE NOTE: The actual 2024 cost of construction of the pedestrian walkway is about $70,000. The amazing and generous local community has contributed $65,000 so far towards the project. Construction is beginning in spring of 2024 but we still need to raise another $5,000 to cover the cost of this project. Thank you for considering a donation).
Bayfield River Flats walkway fundraising team announces Home & Company Real Estate to sponsor planned evening in support of walkway
The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC) and Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) have announced that a special evening is planned in support of a new pedestrian walkway at the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area.
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, on behalf of the land trust, is leading a community campaign to raise $52,000 to make the new walkway possible. The December 13 evening is an important part of that fundraising campaign in order to ‘connect the village to nature.’
Roger Lewington is Past Chair of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy. “We are delighted to announce that Home & Company Real Estate has agreed to sponsor the Bayfield River Flats evening, in support of the pedestrian walkway project, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall,” he said. “I would like to thank Brad Douglas and Tong Zhou, from Home and Company, on behalf of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy and Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.”
Brad Douglas is Sales Representative with Home & Company Real Estate Corporate Brokerage. “We are very pleased to be part of this great Bayfield project,” he said. “Bayfield is a community where many people love to walk and enjoy nature. We are honoured to be able to play a part in the creation of a pedestrian access to this special natural area. We would like to do what we can, to support Bayfield Valley Trails and the Land Trust and the Bayfield and area community, as they strive to make this project a reality.”
The Walkway to the Finish Line event is described as a casual evening with a chance to mingle and socialize and support a needed project in the community. 1851 Bayfield Landing is providing a cash bar at the event. There is also a silent auction table. The Land Trust says “all are welcome for a fun evening, right before the holidays, to learn more about the Walkway To Nature Project.”
PHOTO INFORMATION – Tong Zhou and Brad Douglas are Sales Representatives with Home & Company Real Estate Corporate Brokerage. They are near the site of a new pedestrian walkway planned for the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area. Home & Company Real Estate is the sponsor of the Bayfield River Flats fundraising evening, in support of the pedestrian walkway project. The evening takes place Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall. (Photo by Jack Pal) Also shown is a photo of a poster about the fundraising evening on December 13.
Max Morden is HTLTC Chair. “I would like to thank Brad and Tong and Home & Company Real Estate for the support of this evening, and the project,” he said. “It is truly appreciated.”
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association and Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy encourage people to donate to the project or consider a donation in the memory of a loved one or even make a donation as a gift. The project partners will provide permanent recognition for donations of $1,000 through a donor recognition board.
The Bayfield River Flats is owned by HTLTC and the land trust protects it permanently as a habitat for wildlife and as a recreation destination.
A new pedestrian walkway can complete the dream of Bayfield and area people to ‘connect the community with nature’ at Bayfield River Flats. It will cost an estimated $52,000 to complete the walkway and the partner organizations say public support is needed to make the walkway a reality. The walkway will make it possible for people to walk under the highway bridge right to the natural area and avoid walking across a busy highway.
Land trust, trail association say community support is needed for planned walkway linking community and nature; project partners plan to acknowledge donors with long-lasting recognition
The project partners working to create a pedestrian walkway to the Bayfield River Flats Nature Area say community support is needed to make it happen. The project team thanks the entire community for all donations of any size. They also want to provide acknowledgement and permanent recognition for donors making donations of $500 or more.
It will cost $52,000 to complete a walkway, under the Highway 21 bridge, linking people to the natural area on the other side. This way, people won’t need to walk across the busy highway to reach the Bayfield River Flats.
Those who donate $500 or more are eligible to receive (while supplies last) a unique, one-of-a-kind tote bag, hand-made by Bayfield’s Helen Varekamp. Those who donate $1,000 or more will receive a tote bag and lasting recognition on a sponsor acknowledgement board. There is also an opportunity, on the In Memory section of the donor list board, to leave a legacy in memory of loved ones through a $1,000 donation in support of the project. Those who donate $5,000 or more to the walkway will receive a tote bag, sponsor board recognition, and their name (engraved or on a name plate) on armourstone.
Helen Varekamp is a Bayfield resident and community volunteer. She was part of the community fundraising team, of the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, that helped to mobilize community support in order to purchase the 4.75-acre River Flats property which is now preserved permanently by the land trust.
Helen has created 65 original hand-crafted tote bags which she is donating to the fundraising campaign for a new pedestrian walkway at Bayfield River Flats. The tote bags are made from up-cycled fabrics and every tote bag is unique.
“I am delighted to donate these tote bags to this project, as the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is one of the most precious gems right in the middle of our village,” she said. “The walkway will make it easier for many of our residents to connect with Mother Nature on a daily basis.”
Donors who donate $500 or more to the walkway campaign are eligible to receive one of the tote bags while quantities last.
“Sewing is my passion,” Helen said. During the COVID-19 pandemic “I got creative doing some sewing as fundraisers for several community organizations with which I have been involved. I love putting emphasis on up-cycling and keeping unwanted and leftover materials out of the landfill. Now that one-time-use shopping bags are being discouraged, it only made sense to make re-usable, sturdy tote bags that make a great fashion statement at the same time.”
PHOTO INFORMATION – Helen Varekamp, of Bayfield, has hand-crafted 65 original, one-of-a-kind tote bags, made from up-cycled fabrics, which she is donating to the fundraising campaign for a new pedestrian walkway at Bayfield River Flats. While supplies last, donors donating $500 or more to the community fundraising campaign, will receive one of the tote bags in recognition of their generosity. (Photo by Jack Pal)
The tote bags will be provided (while supplies last) to eligible donors on the Bayfield River Flats Walkway fundraising evening, at Bayfield Town Hall, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is leading the community fundraising campaign, for the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area Walkway, on behalf of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC). The land trust owns and permanently protects the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area as habitat for wildlife and as a place for people to enjoy recreation and nature appreciation.
“We would like to thank all our donors,” said Roger Lewington, HTLTC Past Chair. “We also want to find a way to say thank you to our donors and to acknowledge the gift the donors in our community are making and the legacy they are leaving,” he said. “I would also like to thank Helen for the donation of her talent and artistry – these one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted tote bags are a wonderful way to say ‘Thank you’ to donors generously making donations of $500 or more to this community project.”
The new walkway will connect to an existing under-the-bridge walkway at the Bayfield River Flats site. This new feature will make it safer and easier for people to reach and enjoy this special riverbank nature area without having to walk across the highway.
If you would like to learn more about donor recognition opportunities to acknowledge your support for this needed community project, please contact a member of the fundraising team.
To learn more, or to donate, you are invited to visit the Bayfield River Flats web page or to call 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Community support for new pedestrian walkway can help to fully realize the dream at Bayfield River Flats, according to Bayfield River Valley Trail Association
Trail association preparing a fundraising campaign to ask public for help to create new walkway to connect community to nature at Bayfield River Flats, a property preserved by Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy
A new pedestrian walkway can complete the dream of Bayfield and area people to ‘connect the community with nature’ at Bayfield River Flats, according to Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC) and Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA). It will cost more than $50,000 to complete the walkway and the organizations say public support is needed to make the walkway a reality. The project team plans to hold a fundraising campaign between November 15 and December 15, 2023.
Fundraising activities include a ‘Walkway to the Finish Line’ evening. The event is at the Bayfield Town Hall on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Help us connect the Bayfield and area community with nature.
Help make it possible, with your donation, to add a new pedestrian walkway to make it safer and easier for people to connect with nature at the Bayfield River Flats.
Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, from Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, on behalf of Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy.
There are easy ways to donate. Choose the way that works best for you:
Call us
To donate to the Bayfield River Flats Walkway, you may phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Or, you may donate using any of the other easy ways listed below:
Donate by credit card or debit card
You may donate by credit card or debit card at the provided link or you can call our office at phone number above.
(If you click the link, there are options to ‘Donate with PayPal’ or to ‘Donate with Debit or Credit Card.’ If you would like to donate by credit card or debit card, please select the second option provided after you click the link).
Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3, Exeter, ON N0M 1S5
Make cheque payable to: Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy
(When paying by e-Transfer, please provide us with your contact information so we are able to provide you with a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes. Be sure to let us know, in the e-Transfer message box/field, that the donation is for the Bayfield River Flats Walkway.)
Donate by e-Transfer
You may donate easily, to the Bayfield River Flats Walkway, by e-Transfer using the email address donations@abca.ca
Be sure to let us know, in the e-Transfer message box/field, that the donation is for the Bayfield River Flats Walkway.
If you would like to receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes please be sure to include your mailing address and/or email address in the e-Transfer message box.
Donate in person
You are welcome to come into our office to donate.
We are located at 71108 Morrison Line, two kilometres east of Exeter, just south of Highway 83.
You can also provide a cheque, to Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, to one of the members of the fundraising team.
Donate by PayPal
You may also donate through PayPal at the link below.
(If you click the link, there are options to ‘Donate with PayPal’ or to ‘Donate with Debit or Credit Card.’ If you would like to donate by PayPal, please select the first option provided after you click the link).
However you choose to donate, we thank your for your support of your community.
It really makes a difference.
Join us on this walkway to the finish line of the Bayfield River Flats project.
The Bayfield River Flats is owned by HTLTC and is protected permanently as a habitat for wildlife. “The Flats is a natural gem only a short walk from Bayfield’s Main Street,” said HTLTC Chair Max Morden. “Home to eagles and ospreys and species at risk, it’s a place where people can both appreciate and preserve nature.” Volunteers from the Trail Association manage the property at no cost to the public.
The land trust’s Chair encourages local people to watch for announcements about the fundraising campaign and for details on the December 13 evening in support of the project. Updates, and opportunities to donate, are posted on the Bayfield River Flats web page.
(Scenic photo, at Bayfield River Flats, by Jack Pal)
Roger Lewington is Past Chair of HTLTC. He thanks the trail association for leading the fundraising initiative to make the walkway possible. The new walkway will connect to an existing under-the-bridge walkway at the Bayfield River Flats site. This new feature will make it safer and easier for people to reach and enjoy this special riverbank nature area.
“The trail association and the community had a dream to buy and preserve the Bayfield River Flats,” Lewington said. “The creation of the new pedestrian walkway will safely link people and nature and it will make it possible to fully realize the dream for this site.”
Bayfield River Valley Trail Association led a fundraising campaign, in 2017, to purchase the Bayfield River Flats site. Community support was overwhelming, with donations of more than $70,000 to buy the property. The trail association manages the property and donated it to the land trust so the property will be preserved permanently.
The project team is excited to announce the proposed walkway has received the permissions required to make it happen and now the team will turn its attention to mobilizing the public support needed to make it reality.
A concept for the new pedestrian walkway.
Thanks to generous and visionary public donations of land and money, the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy protects these important nature areas: Warner Preserve (2023) in Grand Bend, donated by Peter Warner and his late wife Esther; Heaman Tract (2019), near Ailsa Craig, donated by Janet Heaman in memory of Jack Heaman; Woodburne Farm (2018), near Goderich, donated by Ilse Elliott and her late husband William Elliott; Bayfield River Flats (2017), donated by Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) and community donors; and Mayhew Tract (2015), near Holmesville, donated by the Mayhew Family, in memory of Jack and Iris Mayhew.
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) was founded in 2006. The association maintains seven recreational trails in and around Bayfield, Ontario. The volunteers from the association schedule more than 20 guided hikes each year. This gives residents of all ages and fitness levels the opportunity to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Bayfield River Valley Trail Association is an all-volunteer, registered non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting a healthy and environmentally conscious community.
