In the banner photo above, left to right: Sheila Paradi (daughter), Marnie Stewart, Murray and Lyndon Stewart (son)
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Rotary Club of Bolton have teamed up to successfully revitalize a trail at the historic Bolton Camp site in Caledon.
The Bolton Camp Trail Restoration Project, a joint effort between Bolton Rotary and TRCA’s Resource Management Projects and Bolton Camp Revitalization teams, resulted in 1,100 metres of grass trail being upgraded to a compacted aggregate surface. The Rotary Club secured donations of recycled concrete to help facilitate the restoration.
The trail now provides users of all abilities with access to a variety of recreational opportunities that promote healthy and active living on a year-round basis. It is also a part of Rotary Club of Bolton’s Haunted Hill Run/Walk, which last year brought out more than 400 participants to walk or run the trail.
This new trail will be named Murray Stewart Trail. The new trail sign will be installed prior to the 2018 Haunted Hill Run/Walk Event. Details will be available in September.
Murray Stewart was invited to join Bolton Rotary in June 1968, at which time the Bolton club was part of the same district as the Toronto Rotary Club. During this period, the buildings at the Bolton Camp site were in the process of being updated; the Toronto Rotary Club was behind the construction of a new dining hall facility, at which the Bolton Club was welcomed to host special social gatherings.
Murray Stewart has lived in Albion/Bolton (now Caledon ) his entire life, as has his wife Marnie. Both grew up on their respective family farms on the 6th line of Albion (Now Coleraine Drive and Duffy’s Lane ).
His interests led him to the diploma course at the Ontario Agricultural College (now University of Guelph ), from which he graduated with the gold medal. He went on to a 33-year career at Canada Packers, ultimately making his way to the corporate office as Manager of Public Relations.
As goodwill ambassador for the company, he established the Canada Packers Quilt Collection and Competition in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, in cooperation with the Associations of Fairs and Exhibitions in those provinces. The Ontario collection has been displayed at Black Creek Pioneer Village on several occasions. After the sale of the company, he arranged to have the collections donated to what is now Country Heritage Park, and to similar organizations in Manitoba and Alberta.
Mr. Stewart’s work took him all over Canada and the U.S., but he never forgot about home; he was a founding board member of the new Albion/Bolton/Union Community Centre and chair of the official opening.
Mr. Stewart has contributed to the quality of life for Caledon citizens in many other ways: his 50-year involvement with the Rotary Club of Bolton, his 50 years as member of session at Caven Presbyterian Church, his 40 years as member of the Bolton True Blue Masonic Lodge, and his work as a member of the Albion Township Planning Board, the Laurel Hill Cemetery Board, The Canadian 4-H Foundation, the CNE Ontario Dairy Princess Competition, the Albion/Bolton Ag Society, the Ontario Agriculture Museum and the OAC Deans Council.
Mr. Stewart was also provincially appointed a Member of Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority from 1979 to 1984. In 1992 he received an (Hon, P. Ag.) from the Ontario Institute of Agrologists. More recently, he served on the founding board of Bethell Hospice to assist with the development of the foundation‘s charter.
A talented auctioneer, he has volunteered his time and voice to countless benefit functions.