Town honours Gerry Berkhout with trail naming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2018

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham and the Active Transportation Committee (PATC) invites residents to celebrate the opening of the Gerry Berkhout Trail on Saturday, November 3, at 10 a.m. at the Centennial Park trail entrance.

The trail recognizes Berkhout, a former Town Councillor, current Fonthill Lions member, previous Citizen of the year, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, who long ago recognized the potential of the trail used by walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers.

“It is a great honour and very humbling to have this trail named after me,” said Berkhout. “I have walked many miles on this trail and have known its hidden value for so long. It makes me happy to know that the people of Pelham now have the opportunity to enjoy it and come to love it as much as I do.”

Nearly 6km in distance, the trail runs along the former TH&B railway line, with entry points at Murdoch Street and Centennial Park.

“Pelham is filled with beautiful trails, this being one of them,” said Councillor Richard Rybiak. “The Town’s diligence in ensuring Pelham is an active, walkable community can be seen in a trail such as the newly appointed Gerry Berkhout Trail. Many people played a role in this trail’s dedication, but none more than Gerry himself, who showed us all what a beautiful stretch of nature we have here in Pelham.”

In the spring of 2017, Pelham Town Council approved the naming of the trail, as suggested by the PATC. At the time, PATC Chair Bea Clark wrote to Council saying, “Gerry Berkhout helped us understand, firsthand, what a wonderful trail this could be for the residents of Fenwick and Pelham”.

The trail will officially open at 10:30 a.m., marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and those in attendance can enjoy coffee and Timbits courtesy of the Fonthill Tim Hortons and a light lunch courtesy of the Fenwick and Fonthill Lions.

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For more information, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
PR & Marketing Specialist
905-892-2607 x309
mmacdonald@pelham.ca