Winter 2016-2017 THE QUARTERLY OF THE TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Vol. LIII No. 4 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org | 416-763-9061 |
[email protected] Grand Opening of the Todd Bardes Meadowlands Side Trail by Nancy Tilt, TBTC Conservation Committee Friends and family, hikers, and Toronto Bruce Trail Club Conservation Committee members, about 75 in all, gathered at Limehouse Com- munity Hall on a beautiful early September Sunday. The occasion was the Grand Opening of a new Side Trail in memory of Todd Bardes, a dedicated and treasured Bruce Trail volunteer. Car and bus thru-hikes had been organized for the day to coincide with the early afternoon opening of the Trail. Peter Leeney, friend of Todd and currently Land Stewardship Director and past President of the Toronto Club, spoke of Todd's long history with the Bruce Trail. Todd joined the Bruce Trail Association in 1994 and had been actively involved with trail activities since 1996 both at the club level, the broader Board level, and most recently as President. In 2001 the Bruce Trail purchased the 39-acre Springle property just north of Limehouse. Todd and his wife, Christina, subsequently took on the role of Land Stewards. Existing ATV disturbance in the mead- owland portion of the property was an issue needing attention. Fellow Bruce Trail volunteer, Andrew Costley, came up with the idea of a community-based and monitored Side Trail through the meadow. Todd, along with support from other volunteers, wholeheartedly agreed, and through their efforts the Side Trail came to life. Andrew Costley, on behalf of all volunteers who knew Todd, spoke Hike Leader Training 2017 of him as a friend and mentor, providing both advice and leadership with wise and patient counsel.