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.