Media Release: EDAC Award 2026
Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop recognized with EDAC Destination Development Award
The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) partnership is receiving national recognition through the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Destination Development Award. Presented to project lead, the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO), the award recognizes the collaborative work undertaken to connect underused rail trails into a single, multi-day cycling destination product.
The Town of Smiths Falls is proud to be part of this regional partnership, helping advance the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop and its benefits for Smiths Falls.
Initiated in 2024, the EORTL brings together seven municipal and non-profit partners to develop a 320-kilometre loop connecting Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac Counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Town of Smiths Falls. When complete, it is expected to be Canada’s longest rail trail loop.
The Destination Development Award recognizes a regional approach that builds on existing infrastructure and connects visitor experiences with year-round recreation, business opportunities and community collaboration. It celebrates projects that improve the physical or structural assets that make a place worth visiting.
Across the route, project partners are advancing trail surface upgrades, consistent signage and wayfinding, improved trailheads and amenities, and a Trail Town model that engages local businesses and communities in shaping the visitor experience.
The EORTL connects existing trail infrastructure with railway history, culinary and agri-tourism, and the region’s natural landscapes to create a repeatable, multi-day experience. Its looped design is intended to encourage longer stays and increased visitor spending across rural communities, while providing residents with accessible, year-round recreation and off-road connections.
“We are very pleased to share this award with the many partners who are committed to bringing the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop to life,” said Nicole Whiting, Executive Director of OHTO. “By working together, we are creating a cycling experience that will encourage visitors to stay longer, support businesses across our rural communities, and give residents a wonderful way to enjoy the region year-round.”
“Smiths Falls is located at the junction of both the EORTL and the Cataraqui Trail” said
Jeff Murphy, Tourism Coordinator for the Town of Smiths Falls. “Our community is becoming a hub for recreation and offers both visitors and residents a unique experience. You can spend a day cycling through town, visiting our museums and enjoying our restaurants, and the next day explore the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in a kayak or canoe.”
The partnership includes Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac Counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes, the Town of Smiths Falls, Cataraqui Regional Conservation Authority and the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. OHTO leads the project, which is also supported by trail organizations, municipalities and local businesses.
Since 2024, project partners and the federal government have invested more than $200,000 in the initiative, with partners contributing a further $30,000 annually. When complete and export ready, the EORTL is projected to attract more than 200,000 visitors a year and generate over $100 million in total economic impact.
About the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop
The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop is a regional partnership developing a connected off-road cycling experience across Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Town of Smiths Falls. The project aims to strengthen rural communities, support local businesses and create a seamless multi-day cycling experience by 2030. Find out more at www.ohto.ca/eastern-ontario-rail-trail-loop.
About the Town of Smiths Falls
The Town of Smiths Falls is a vibrant community located at the centre of the historic Rideau Canal and the juncture of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail and the Cataraqui Trail. The Town has recently launched a Destination Plan that positions us a regional hub for recreational activities, from rail trails to watersports to local boutiques, restaurants and live entertainment. Find out more at www.smithsfalls.ca/visit.
About OHTO
Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is a not-for-profit organization mandated and funded by the province of Ontario to support tourism within the counties of Haliburton, Lanark, and Renfrew and portions of Frontenac, Hastings, and Lennox and Addington. Find out more at www.ohto.ca.
-30-
Media Contact
Joanne Plontz
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8
613-283-4124 ext. 1122
Communications@smithsfalls.ca