Canada 150
gift will help to build the nearly 50 kilometres of trail
connecting numerous lake-side, urban and rural communities
throughout the central Okanagan, creating a lasting legacy.
Promoting increased trail use is expected to
improve health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote culture
and boost tourism in the region.
KELOWNA, BC, June 7, 2017 /CNW/ - The development of the
Okanagan Rail Trail is now one step closer to completion thanks to
a $100,000 investment by TD Bank
Group. The trail will be one of more than 150 initiatives supported
through the year-long TD Common Ground Project, which will leave a
legacy of vibrant and resilient green spaces for communities to
enjoy across Canada, in
recognition of Canada's
150th anniversary.
"TD's generous gift to the Okanagan Rail Trail through the
Central Okanagan Foundation will make a significant, positive
impact on our communities by helping to connect people in
meaningful ways. This is the first large corporate contribution to
the trail, and we encourage other organizations to donate to this
project," said Heather Stewart,
Trail Ambassador. "Once completed, we expect the trail will enhance
tourism, promote healthy living, connect families with nature and
provide opportunities for users to learn more about the Syilx
(Okanagan) people and their traditional territory."
TD's contribution will help support the trail development, which
when completed will be a 48.5-kilometre multi-use trail that is
being planned and developed by four local governments: the
City of Kelowna, the District of
Lake Country, the Okanagan Indian
Band and the North Okanagan Regional District.
"TD is committed to contributing to livable and healthy
communities and improving their quality of life in a lasting way,"
said Dale Safinuk, District Vice
President, TD – BC Southern Interior, who lives in Kelowna. "Green spaces are where communities
come together to meet, talk and play and where people find common
ground and connect. We are thrilled to be able to support this
Okanagan initiative that, when completed, will be an important
legacy for the community. The trail will benefit over 200,000
people and is expected to be used more than 500,000 times
annually."
For over 25 years, TD has been committed to revitalizing and
enriching green spaces across the country. Our support of over
25,000 environmental projects, planting over 280,000 trees, our
Friends of the Environment Foundation and the TD Forests initiative
all demonstrate our commitment to driving environmental and
community leadership.
For more information, please visit
http://commongroundproject.td.com
About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive
change in the places where it operates and where its clients and
employees live and work. In 2015, TD donated more than $92.5 million to support community organizations
in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial
literacy, creating opportunities for young people, and the
environment. For more information, visit
www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.
SOURCE TD Bank Group