Fundraising for the WalterBean Grand River Trail Project has been ongoing. It began with an initial, 18-month corporate/public campaign in the Spring of 1999. The overall cost of building the basic Walter Bean Grand River Trail has been set at $6.4 million, of which approximately $6.35 million was raised by July 1, 2006. Prospects for maintenace and expansion, however, are ongoing and the need for financial assistance continues.

Formal public announcement of the project was made in Spring 1999. The campaign for funds targets governments, businesses, individuals, families, recreational groups and service clubs, seeking their sponsorship of one or more meters of the trail as their contribution to the community trail project. Major pledges in support of the project can be spread over five-year periods.

Associated with the physical construction, costs of the trail include: clearing and grubbing, grading, surfacing where required, access point facilities, signage, vehicle controls, bridges, culverts, boardwalk, and contingencies. This does not include costs associated with land acquisition or negotiating trail corridor easements which are the responsibilities of the municipalities.

The ultimate success of the trail will be directly linked to the amount of public support gathered for this project, as the Walter Bean Grand River Trail is a community-based endeavor.

The Trail has also been funded through the generosity of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, with strong support from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and the Municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Woolwich, Clarical Sun Life, and the Musagetes Fund.
CKCO-TV and The Record have provided extensive news and information concerning the history, development, and social importance of the Trail. In addition to those who have sponsored access points and other naming opportunities, significant funding was received from:

To find out more about Trail fundraising, please select one of the following links:
How To Donate    Donor Recognition    Support To Date