The Village of Merrickville-Wolford has designed a new brand to carry it into the 21st century. The new brand embraces the strengths of the historic yet dynamic community.

Merrickville-Wolford is recognized as one of the most vibrant communities on the Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – attracting tourists and residents alike to the picturesque historic village and surrounding rural area. The village offers a wide variety of unique shops and businesses, while the rural ward of Wolford is experiencing exciting growth in the food sector as local producers introduce organic alternatives at road-side stands, supporting the global movement toward healthier lifestyle and lifestyle choices.

To foster the ongoing growth and success of Merrickville-Wolford, the municipality is spearheading a marketing and promotional program that will benefit all stakeholders, large and small in the municipality. The municipality has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and the economic development committee, with participation from businesses and the artistic community.

Interviews with a cross-section of businesses and residents of Merrickville-Wolford identified a number of strengths and characteristics. Values identified by these stakeholders included ‘affordable, caring, charming, friendly, historic, walkable, livable, safe and quiet’. Other features included the community’s built assets, such as the Rideau Canal & Waterway, the Blockhouse and heritage buildings.

The branding exercise was undertaken to assist Merrickville-Wolford stay on the leading edge of tourism communities, while recognizing that the area is attracting new residents and visitors drawn to the rural lifestyle within easy commute to the Nation’s Capital.

The project was made possible by funding through the Eastern Ontario Development Program, administered by the Valley Heartland Community Futures.

Merrickville-Wolford encourages and promotes respect for and enjoyment of the environment. The village offers a variety of ways to experience the outdoors:

• The Rideau Canal Waterway – Boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming
• Migratory Bird Sanctuary
• Local Walking and Hiking Trails
• Merrickville’s access to the Rideau Trail
• Trails Master Plan - Documents #1 and #2

There are countless ways that each of us can reduce our carbon footprint and work towards preserving and protecting the local environment. Learn more about what you can do to make a difference.

• Conserving energy – Saving energy for your home
• No Idling By-Law
• Recycling – Recycling is available at our landfill site. A detailed list of items that can be recycled.
• Re-Use Center for Household Items - The landfill site offers a re-use or swap station where residents can drop off and pick up household items such as books, plates, glasses, small furniture, toys and more.
• E-Waste – Electronic recycling is also at the landfill site.
• The Great Refrigerator Roundup - The Ontario Power Authority will come and pick up your old refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner for FREE – they will even haul it out of your basement for you and take care of it in an environmentally-responsible manner. When they are finished recycling and reclaiming material, very little will be sent to the landfill.  Check out the link for details.
• Cell phones and Batteries - locations available in our area.
• Composting – information on household composting. As well as here. And here.

In support of our commitment to the environment, the Village of Merrickville-Wolford has a very active Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). This committee is composed of volunteers from the community who have been appointed by Council to make recommendations to Council on Environmental matters. Agendas for EAC Meetings are available here.

There are a number of community activities and programs which support our mandate to protect the environment:

• Well Aware - Useful healthy well and septic advice.
• Yellow Fish Road - Awareness about pollution entering local water bodies through storm drains.
• Pitch-in Canada – Village clean-up and beautification programs.

The municipality encourages residents to become a part of Eco-events like Earth Hour, Earth Day, the local Merrickville Goes Green Eco-Fair and the Zero Volt Challenge.