LONG-TIME TRAIL USER UPSET - The Sarnia Observer - Ontario, CA

"Sir: Re: The article 'ATVs tearing up trails' (The Observer, Oct. 19, 2010)

I guess what is upsetting is that these trails were made by the local residents of Confederation and

Churchill Line, for the purpose of the recreational use of off -road vehicles such as dirt bikes, ATV's, snowmobiles and also horse riding, which my father was given permission to use. Then we are told, 'You can't use it anymore, we want it for people to use for walking.

As far as I am told, the city didn't ask anyone around the area if that's what the people there wanted. The local residents didn't get a choice in the matter. There is a reason why people live in the country and in the city, but the people who live in the country are not allowed to enjoy what they moved there for."

Earlier we published an article detailing how a nature trail was lost, in this case it's a motorized trail. In each case there was a loss - and this happens all over Ontario to all groups.

At the OTC we promote the development of regional trail committees so that all groups, government, land owners and users can come together to plan. In each of our recent stories that seems to be the problem - a lack of inclusive planning.