If you walk or ride the entire 6 km Barrie waterfront trail you can now get rewarded with a congratulatory high five.
Barrie's first Mayor Willard Kinzie has been immortalized with a unique and fitting tribute at the end of the North Shore Trail.
The spry 97-year-old unveiled a bronzed cast iron imprint of his hand on Monday that has been installed as part of a soon-to-be completed Barrie Heritage Waterfront Trail.
He got the idea from Siesta Key in Florida where there's a similar spot that people touch for inspiration.
"Years ago someone painted a picture of a monkey on the wall which now is all faded out but it's become the tradition over the years that you touch the wall when you get there," Kinzie said.
Kinzie hiked through the snow to the news conference, along with his wife of one-month, Karen and other relatives.
It's Kinzie's vision to dot the trail with plaques depicting Barrie's history from the Ice Ages to the present day so newcomers can learn about their city's origins.
There will be eleven interpretive stations, each with a different historical theme that will tell a story of Barrie's past.
"It's important for all the citizens of Barrie," said Kinzie. "It's important for our youth. We have so many people in Barrie that know next to nothing about Barrie and a trail is a good way of telling them of the history."
Mayor Jeff Lehman was on hand for the unveiling and called the outdoor museum "amazing".
"This is so unique that the city of Barrie has six kilometres of uninterrupted waterfront trail and Willard has found a tremendous way to take a walking trail and turning that into an educational experience and an historic commemoration of the city."
Kinzie's son George also attended the event along with his wife Pam, Kinzie's grandson Neil and great granddaughter Neko.
An avid hiker and trail user, Kinzie brought the idea to the city four years ago and Council supported it in 2012.
The Heritage Waterfront Trail will will be completed in 2017.
