On Track St. Thomas has successfully secured the MCR bridge over Kettle Creek
along with some four kilometres of associated rail corridor to Lyle Road on June
17th 2013. The group invited founders, media and interested municipal
officials to join them under the bridge on June 20th for the official announcement. On Track president, Matt Janes, thanked those involved in helping to achieve this important first step. Find some photos & press
releases below.

Over the next few months, On Track will continue its fundraising efforts with a view to achieving the full $250,000 target set at the beginning of the campaign. A special fund has been created within the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation which allows all donations to receive a charitable tax receipt.  

The dream of an elevated park soaring over the Kettle Creek valley is one step closer with the announcement that economic development group On Track St. Thomas has formally purchased the 83 year old structure and some four kilometers of associated rail lands. The transaction was completed June 17.

The not for profit group announced its plans to purchase the bridge last September with the aim of developing it into Canada’s first elevated park. On Track undertook intensive planning and fundraising over the past 10 months to achieve its initial goal of acquiring and preserving the structure. Future phases include stabilization and short term maintenance issues as well as the organizing of an international design competition to attract the best ideas for a unique elevated park attraction.

“Even though there’s an incredible amount of hard work ahead of us, this is a very important achievement for On Track, the city of St. Thomas and for Elgin County,” states Matt Janes, president of the group. “Thanks to our partners and Founders group, we have taken the first big step towards creating a world-class attraction for our region.”

In addition to the bridge structure and the land it sits on, the group has secured some four kilometres of abandoned rail corridor stretching from King Street in west end St. Thomas to Lyle Road in Southwold Township. On Track intends to develop this corridor into a walking/biking trail with links to the Trans Canada Trail.

Over the next few months, On Track will continue its fundraising efforts with a view to achieving the full $250,000 target set at the beginning of the campaign. A special fund has been created within the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation which allows all donations to receive a charitable tax receipt.

Complete information about On Track, the bridge and the fundraising campaign can be found at the group’s website www.OnTrackStThomas.ca.

Approximately 130 community members attended a town hall meeting held on Wednesday September 5th to introduce the St. Thomas Elevated Park concept. Presentations by three of On Track's board members highlighted the work of On Track, the vision for the MCR Kettle Creek Bridge and next steps. Opportunity was given for input from those in attendance. Check the images gallery for photos and follow the link below for the Times Journal report on the meeting.

Elevated park open house attracts large group to CASO station, including vocal opponents
By Nick Lypaczewski, St. Thomas Times-Journal
Thursday, September 6, 2012 9:00:28 EDT AM

A town hall meeting to introduce the St. Thomas Elevated Park Project concept to the general public is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 7pm in the historic CASO station in St. Thomas.

The Michigan Central Railroad Kettle Creek Bridge remains one of the most recognizable and iconic structures in Southwestern Ontario and On Track St. Thomas wants your help in saving it for future generations by converting it into Canada’s first elevated park.