In December 2022, following years of negotiations, the former Canada Southern Railway (CASO) section that stretches 47 kilometres from Tilbury through Essex County was successfully protected for public use, thanks to a partnership between the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), the County of Essex, Town of Tecumseh, Town of Essex and Municipality of Lakeshore, and with generous funding support from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The former CASO Rail Line ceased operations approximately 15 years ago.  

   

Once funding has been acquired to develop this property into a trail system, it will connect Chatham-Kent trails to Leamington’s Greenway, the Chrysler Canada and the Cypher Systems Group Greenways and the Herb Gray Parkway trails – ultimately completing the long anticipated, multi-use trail loop through the region.  In addition, this system will support the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) initiative of the County of Essex. 

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The railway ties, steel rails, and other equipment were removed from the property about 7 years ago, and the property has since naturalized and provides a unique habitat that is preferred by certain endangered species such as the Eastern Foxsnake.  Federal and Provincial recovery strategies have noted abandoned rail corridors as important areas to protect. In addition to protecting Species at Risk, this corridor provides for long-term protection of the only habitat linkage between existing fragmented forests and wetlands. In total, there are 21 separate natural areas that are connected through this acquisition.    

 

A preliminary engineering study has been completed, and community consultation and engagement will begin in 2025 as the first steps to move trail development forward.