What Makes Canada Cool?
Brantford is the hometown of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky

Brantford, Ontario - It’s not hard to tell you are in the hometown of Hockey Legend Wayne Gretzky, you’ll see the signs, whether it’s to the the Wayne Gretsky Sports Centre in the city’s north end or the Wayne Gretzky Parkway cutting right across the community. ‘The Great One’ was born here on January 26, 1961, the oldest of Walter and Phyllis Gretzky's five children. He started skating on a backyard rink at the age of 2 and by the time 'number 99' retired he had chalked up four Stanley Cups in a row (1984-1988), and set the all-time NHL scoring record in 26 seasons. Gretzky’s father Walter is still very active in the community. Speaking of Gretzky's roots, he is currently fronting a line of clothing with Roots and a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the apparel will go to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, a charity that helps disadvantaged youth. Brantford, located on hwy 403 just one hour west of Toronto, is on the Grand River, which offers canoeing, rafting, paddling and 40 km of hiking and biking trails (including 26 km of the Trans Canada Trail).

Where: Brantford, just 93 km (58 miles) southwest of Toronto, boasts its own symphony orchestra, opera guild, and even an annual international jazz festival. There are eleven local museums, aboriginal tours, and it has a thriving community of artisans. For outdoors lovers the Grand River, a designated heritage river, offers canoeing, kayaking, rafting and fishing. For cyclists and hikers, local trails connect to the Trans Canada Trail. Quick Tip: Interested in learning about sustainable living? Check out the Luna project in the rural community of St. George, less than 20 minutes from Brantford. Three hour tours at alternative learning centre – two yurts with solar panels, wind turbines, composting toilets, etc. (contact lunaticadventures.com.)

More Southwestern Ontario 'Cool': Niagara Falls froze l 10,000 butterflies l invention of the Blackberry l Napoleon's brother's honeymoon l North America's first oil well l Icewine l Uncle Tom's Cabin l The Tipping Point l world's most lilacs l world's first long distance phone call l one of North America's largest POW WOW's l Johnny Cash proposal l world's largest single day maple syrup festival


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Lucy Izon Travel Journalist
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