50 Years in the News
The Maitland Trail Association was founded in 1975 by a group of visionary volunteers determined to create a trail along the beautiful Maitland River. Their dedication laid the foundation for what has become a community treasure. As we celebrate 50 years in 2025, we reflect on the hard work of those early pioneers and the volunteers who have continued to support it. This timeline, created using historical newspaper articles, captures key moments from the trail’s establishment to the many community events, like the El Camino Maitland and Candlelight Walk, that have connected us along the way.
Click on the images to explore stories that shaped the MTA's journey.
August 28, 1975
Maitland Trail Discussions Begin
Goderich Signal Star
December 31, 1975
Maitland Trail Association Established
The Brussels Post
March 4, 1976
Heinz Hoernig Gives Talk about Proposed Maitland Trail
Clinton News-Record
April 21, 1976
Rocky Racoon Introduces Hikers to the "Trail Users Code"
The Brussels Post
April 28, 1976
Rocky Racoon Talks about the Formation of the MTA
The Lucknow Sentinel
November 11, 1976
Wendy Hoernig sums up First AGM
The Exeter Times-Advocate
November 18, 1976
Article About First AGM
The Huron Expositor
October 27, 1977
Notice of Annual AGM
Clinton News-Record
October 11, 1979
Heinz Hoernig Gives Talk about Maitland Trail at Horticultural Society Meeting
Clinton News-Record
October 25, 1979
Notice of 1979 AGM
Clinton News-Record
1981
Notice of 1981 AGM
January 11, 1989
Maitland Trail Association Forms Committee to advocate for a Multi-use Rail Trail - G2G Trail
The Huron Expositor
February 15, 1989
Blyth Village Council Supports MTA Proposal to convert CP Rail Line into a Multi-Use Trail
The Citizen
March 1, 1989
MTA Rails to Trails Committee Meets with Representatives from Several Interest Groups
The Citizen
December 13, 1989
Maitland Trail Association Urges Council to Delay Destruction of Bridges Along CP Rail Line
The Citizen
Sept-Oct 1991
Little Lakes Section of Maitland Trail in the Fall
Townsman
September 30, 1992
All Welcome to Come Out for Ontario Hike Day
Newspaper
November 23, 1994
Maitland Trail Association Receives MVCA Conservation Award
Lucknow Sentinel
December 1994
Interglacial Maitland?
The Rural Voice
January 11, 1995
MTA Makes Plea to Save Area Forest from Logging
Our Town
June 1997
Long-Awaited Opening of Saved Morris Tract
Newspaper
April 15, 1998
Opening of Falls Reserve Conservation Area
The Citizen
May 13, 1998
Maitland Trail Association Proposes to Build the Millennium Trail
Times-Advocate
2000
First Maitland Trail Guide Announced for
25 Year Anniversary
Newspaper
October 28, 2000
Hiking Trail Becomes Outdoor Classroom
Focus
January 19, 2000
Announcement of the Annual Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods
The Citizen
July 4, 2001
MTA Sponsors Walk to Win Challenge
The Citizen
May 6, 2004
MTA Volunteers Lead Mother's Day Walk in Nature
The Citizen
November 10, 2004
Campaign to Challenge People to be Physically Active During Winter
The Huron Expositor
February 7, 2008
Publication of the Maitland Trail Guide
The Citizen
February 11, 2009
Candlelit Walk an Illuminating Experience for Volunteers
The Goderich Signal-Star
May 6, 2009
Hindmarsh Conservation Legacy Lives on in Area
Goderich Signal-Star
July 8, 2009
Welcome to Canada July 1st Sunrise Walk
Goderich Signal-Star
August 20, 2009
MTA Tree Expert Leads Nature Walk and Reveals Special Trees in the Maitland Woods
The Citizen
August 10, 2011
Wendy Hoernig Kicks off Lecture Series on Hiking and Birding
The Goderich Signal-Star
March 5, 2014
MTA Sponsors Jane's Walk in Goderich
Huron Expositor
September 3, 2014
Hiking Excursion Along the Maitland Valley: El Camino Maitland
Huron Expositor
December 10, 2014
Trail Talk - Winter Events Including Candlelit Walk
News Record
January 7, 2015
Maitland Trail Association Sponsors Art to Celebrate 40th Year
Lucknow Sentinel
October 28, 2015
Trail Talk - Kate Procter
Hunting Season and Event Reminders
Huron Expositor
October 27, 2016
The Second Annual "Bad Thing": A 50 KM Race on the Maitland Trail
The Citizen
January 18, 2017
Trail Talk - Tuesday Trompers and More Events
Goderich Signal-Star
May 3, 2017
12th Annual Hike, Plan & Compost Sale
Signal Star
June 13, 2019
Wendy Hoernig Cuts Ribbon at Tranquility Trail Opening
Bayfield Breeze