Introduction & Brief History

Originally conceived in 1929, the idea of a Parkway along the waters edge of the Welland Canal was considered by the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority when they contemplated planting the trees required as a wind shelter for ships using the canal.

Inspired by the canal side trails built by St. Catharines and Welland, the Regional Municipality of Niagara has adopted the Parkway and Trail concept as a Regional Niagara Tourism development strategy.

For the last decade the Region has been pursuing its Master Plan in building trails in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Niagara Parks Commission, the Municipalities of Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Thorold, Welland, Port Colborne, and Fort Erie. Ultimately, these works will encompass a Road, Parkway and Trails system which, when linked to others like it in Niagara, will form the Greater Niagara Circle Route.

The Trails around the Greater Niagara Circle Route are for walking, cycling and rollerblading. They follows the Welland Canal from St. Catharines to Port Colborne; the old CN Rail Line to Fort Erie; the Niagara Parkway to Niagara-on-the-Lake and, Lakeshore Road back to St. Catharines. The Road and Parkway components, to be completed under a subsequent undertaking, will be designed for car and bus touring with various gateways and numerous pull-offs with parking at sites of historical significance or natural beauty.