NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — The St. Davids Lions Club wants to bring 9,000 years of village history to life with commemorative stones and plaques on a heritage trail it wants to build.

Club members Rob Copeland and Harry Murdoch requested permission from the town's committee-of-the-whole Monday for use of town lands near Lions Park for the project.

Murdoch said the club wants to recognize events that occurred both before and after the War of 1812, such as the absorption of the First Nations into the Iroquois tribe and the first farm, school and mill.

The anticipated completion date would be July 18, 2014 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the burning of St. Davids during the war. Murdoch said 20 to 25 milestones would be placed around the perimeter of the new trail.

Questioned by councillors about financing the project, Murdoch said the Lions Club would pay for it, but added "anything the town can do to help" would be appreciated.

"We have the stones," said Copeland. "We don't have a place to put them."

The committee referred the request to staff. They will also look into possible funding for the project from the War of 1812 bicentennial committee or through grants.