Welland Featured Topic - Welland’s Recreational Canal

Welland is famous for its canal. In 1973, a bypass was built by the Saint Lawrence Seaway to reroute industrial ships to the east of Welland. The abandoned part of the canal was left to the community and now serves as Welland’s Recreational Canal.

Mark Carl, a resident of Welland, knew before he arrived for the first volunteer meeting that he would like to highlight Welland’s Recreational Canal. Mark described the role the canal plays in Welland. “It's very, very important to the prosperity of a community that they have quality of life for their residents and I believe that one of the keys to Welland's future success is the Recreational Canal," he said. "Whether you’re on the water, on a kayak or a canoe or whether you’re fishing or swimming or taking part in a triathlon or running along the canal, these are all quality of life things. These are all what we live for and these are [things that give] us great pleasure in our lives. Recreational sports are a big part of people's lives. Welland has this jewel right in the center of its community.”

Mark videotaped many of the ways the people of Welland enjoy the Recreational Canal and he feels “The Recreational Canal is a wonderful place to take your family.”

The Recreational Canal, just one part of Our Town -- Welland