Community Engagement: A Meaningful Trail, Designed Together

In spring and summer 2024, the Taking Care of Our Destination Together project made significant progress through a series of inclusive, participatory activities. These gatherings brought together residents, partners, artists, experts, and organizations to collaboratively shape a shared vision for Sutton’s future sustainable trail.

• Community mapping sessions held over two meetings engaged 34 participants, including representatives from 17 local organizations, to identify meaningful places, values, and themes for a cultural, ecological, and accessible trail. With guidance from environmental, urban planning, and facilitation experts, we laid the foundation for a detailed project brief. Participation and quality of proposals exceeded expectations.
• At the CDES AGM, a project presentation attracted a large audience and sparked about fifteen insightful questions, helping clarify objectives and strengthening local support for the initiative.
• On June 12, prototyping workshops enabled participants to transform their ideas into inspiring sketches with the creative support of Fred Nony and Aza Lussier. These prototypes were later refined and showcased at the Vitrine event.
• Finally, a consultation visit to Odanak opened new pathways for collaboration with the W8banaki Nation, particularly around archaeological studies and the promotion of Indigenous heritage. Strong interest in cultural collaboration was also evident through high participation in the Ashukan training session.