CARLING TWP. - The Park-to-Park Trail Association will honour a long-time contributor and celebrate a new stretch of trail on Friday, June 22.
Park-to-Park will mark the opening of the final section of trail passing through Carling Township with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon. The opening ceremony will also be dedicated to longtime Carling Township councillor Hans Muysson, a founding member of the Park-to-Park Trail Association, who died in early 2010.
“Hans worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this regional trail network, and among his top goals was the completion of the final stretch of trail through his own township, ultimately connecting trail users to Killbear Provincial Park,” said Park-to-Park board chair Jack Tynan. “Unfortunately, Hans isn’t here to witness the opening of the final link, but we’re honored to remember his passion for the trail, dedicating the main bridge to him.”
Muysson remained dedicated to the trail initiative, working hard to complete his duties as long-time treasurer of the association even days before his death following a long battle with health issues.
The trail was one of many community projects Muysson, who had been a Carling Township property owner for 40 years and permanent resident for 20 years when he died at 79 years old.
Muysson was also a member of the municipality’s centennial committee in 1997, a member of the water quality committee, president of the Carling Ratepayers Association, a member of the community policing advisory committee, the Parry Sound Area Planning board, and the Industrial Park board. Carling Township municipal officials are expected to attend the ceremony along with Muysson’s wife, Alice. The 12-kilometre Carling Township trail was funded in part by the municipality, which matched grant contributions from the federal and provincial governments. The trail connects from Woods Road to Dillon Road, near Highway 559.
A permanent monument to Muysson will be unveiled about half a kilometer in from the Woods Road access point.
“The monument we put up overlooks a large marsh area,” said Park-to-Park Trail Association manager Peter Searle. “As you come up to the bridge the monument is a black, granite stone... it is picturesque.”
To attend the 1 p.m. opening ceremony and monument unveiling, take the Woods Road exit off Highway 400, the trail begins at the end of Woods Road, half-a-kilometer past the crossing with Shebeshekong Road.