Ideas and stories wanted for community map
Caledon Community Mapping Project

Community maps can be an expression of the people, culture, and community of a place. They provide a geographical as well as historical record of what makes a place unique and livable. It is for these reasons that three local groups have taken the initiative to create a community map of Caledon that celebrates its natural and cultural heritage.

The Caledon Community Mapping Project is a partnership of the Caledon Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC), Heritage Caledon, and the Caledon Countryside Alliance (CCA). The first two groups are volunteer committees of the Town council while the latter is a local non-profit group that promotes countryside values.

Since last October, community meetings have been held throughout Caledon to collect information for the map. More than 100 people have participated from Inglewood, Bolton, Mayfield Secondary School, Mayor's Youth Council, Palgrave Rotary Club, local schools, churches, environment groups, and so on.

Did you know that as early as 1830, no more that 12 log cabins housed Bolton's population? Or that flying squirrels can be found in Caledon, in the Credit River watershed? Many fascinating facts like these have been collected, but more stories and input are still needed.

The public is invited to share their ideas at the following meetings in January:

Cheltenham: Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7- 9:30 p.m., Cheltenham Community Room.

Alton: Tuesday, Jan. 23, 7- 9:30 p.m., Alton Library.

Mono Mills: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7- 9:30 p.m., Victoria Parks Community Centre.

Stories, ideas, and places given by the community will be used by local illustrator Jim Stewart and cartographer Chris Brackley to create a colourful folding map. This map will be distributed throughout the Town in May to celebrate Caledon's unique natural and cultural features, and the Caledon Environmental Advisory Committee's 10 years of volunteer service to council and the community.

There will be an opportunity in February for the public to meet the artists and browse some of the fascinating artifacts of the project. Ideas forms are also available for pick up at all seven branches of the Caledon Public Library for those wishing to submit ideas in writing.

For more information or to RSVP for a meeting, please contact Deanna Coop at 905-452-7596 or deanna@caledoncountryside .org.

The organization gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Metcalf Foundation, McLean Foundation, Town of Caledon Community Green Fund, and project partners.