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The four western townships of Dufferin County ae covered by gently undulating till plains, which make the Townships of Amaranth, East Garafraxa, East Luther Grand Valley and Melancthon, ideally suited for agriculture. The Grand River, both a Canadian Heritage River and the dominant river system in this part of Dufferin County, has its headwaters in the north-west corner of Melancthon.
Amaranth
The Township of Amaranth is occupied by a diversity of landscape features and, most importantly, residents with a strong pride in the sustainability of their community. The Township consists of neighbourhoods and hamlets, such as Laurel and Waldemar, nestled among a strong and vibrant agricultural community and surrounded by Orangeville, Grand Valley and Shelburne.
Meadows, rivers, wetlands, wildfire, fields, farms and forests cover this township to create a myriad of geographical features to explore. The area is bounded on the west by Luther lake, one of the largest wetlands in Southern Ontario. One of the highlights of Amaranth is the 47-km section of the former Canadian Pacific Railway, which is now used as a trail for hikers, bikers, and snowmobilers. The trail is kept in prime condition and is a favourite for local and visiting sledders. There are 20 or more access points to the trailway, a favourite being the corner of 15th Sideroad and 3rd Line Amaranth near the hamlet of Crombie.
Step back into the age of rail travel at Crombie's train-flagging station. The station was originally located at the corner of 3rd Line and 20th Sideroad Amaranth, and is now located within the Dufferin County Museum and Archives.
East Garafraxa
East Garafraxa is located to the west of Orangeville and to the east of Fergus. It is peaceful, rural, and has a large sense of community and quaint hamlets such as Marsville and Orton. The Township is rich in agriculture and responsible for a large portion of the reigons fresh produce. East Garafraxa is home to some wonderful artists and their studios.
The famous 47 km Elora-Cataract Trailway runs directly through the township. It is perfect for cycling and hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
East Luther Grand Valley
East Luther Grand Valley is considered a naturalist's playground. It is comprised of the former Township of East Luther, a rural farming area, and the former Village of Grand Valley, an urban area supported by the four surrounding rural townships. The area boasts the astounding 13,000 acre Luther Marsh which consists of a 3500 acre lake and plenty of varieties of wildlife. The picturesque Grand River, designated a Heritage River, flows from the northern boundary and winds through the farm country and village. It provides the setting of beautiful scenery and a peaceful existence where one cannot help but feel relaxed and secure.
Melancthon
The Township of Melancthon is located north and west of Shelburne. Within the township there are three hamlets: Riverview, Corbetton and Horning's Mills. The Hamlet of Horning's Mills is the largest community in Melancthon. Settled by a small number of families in the 1830's as a milling centre, it has reamined quite untouched. Most of the buildings in the hamlet are in excellent condition while dating back to 1850-1880. Stop in and have a look around - you'll be amazed at the old world charm.
The main occupation in the area is farming, with harvesting and marketing potatoes being a major industry in Melancthon. There is limited beef, dairy, sheep and horse farming carried out. Wind farms can be found throughout the area in addition to the world class Melancthon EcoPower Center, operated by Canadian Hydro.
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