Trailhead Ontario - Updates
June 9-12, 2013 - Peterborough
OTC Member? Discounts Apply
Holiday Inn discounted rooms!
Join trail advocates, organizations, speakers, builders,
use groups, volunteers, planners and regulators as we discuss, learn and
improve Ontario's Trails!
The Ontario Trails Council, and the Trailhead Ontario 2013
planning committee wish to acknowledge the financial support of the
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and sport in making this conference happen.
We could not have a conference and sustain OTC without their
assistance. For this we are grateful. Please attend Trailhead Ontario
and hear all the latest developments on Tourism and Recreation from the
MTCS!
New for 2013 - Northern and Remote Link-Up
Northern and Remote Communities (only): please note that for a small fee you can participate in the two interactive sessions on-line:
Monday at 1pm est - Great Lakes Trails Panel - with Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Michigan Trails
Tuesday 1pm - Adventure Tourism with Author Loreen Niewenhuis and Author Hap Wilson.
Northern and Remote Communities (only): please note that for a small fee you can participate in the two interactive sessions on-line:
Monday at 1pm est - Great Lakes Trails Panel - with Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Michigan Trails
Tuesday 1pm - Adventure Tourism with Author Loreen Niewenhuis and Author Hap Wilson.
Mapping Panel -
the best way to assist trail users or trail tourists is through
effective communication. One popular way is through maps. Maps assist in
telling folks the length of a trip. They tell trail users about trail
location, amenities such as accommodation, restaurants, fuel, supplies
camping, etc. that are on or near the trail.
Maps
and map technologies are changing at lightening speed. Google maps, map
integration, handheld maps, topographical maps, mash-ups, waterproof,
gps - all these are new and innovative techniques that communicate the
destination and the experience to the local user or the traveler.
More and more municipalities are producing local maps by activity and trail to assist these out-bound adventurers.
Our mapping panel has brought together some of Canada's and Ontario's finest map producers for a discussion on their product lines, their market segments and the new techniques they are bringing to market.
So whether you are a trail user or a trail manager producing maps - you'll want to attend this session!
More and more municipalities are producing local maps by activity and trail to assist these out-bound adventurers.
Our mapping panel has brought together some of Canada's and Ontario's finest map producers for a discussion on their product lines, their market segments and the new techniques they are bringing to market.
So whether you are a trail user or a trail manager producing maps - you'll want to attend this session!
Special Presenter:
-
Tourism development includes trails. Trail packages, trail experiences, trail destinations.One such trip is hiking. Hear about "A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK"
Please join Trailhead Ontario as we present Author Loreen Niewenhuis as she talks about her experience circumnavigating, on foot - the waterfront trails of the Great Lakes! In 2009, Loreen Niewenhuis walked the perimeter of Lake Michigan and wrote the bestselling book, "A 1000-MILE WALK ON THE BEACH".
In 2012, she took another long journey, covering 1000 miles of shoreline touching all five Great Lakes. The book about this latest adventure, "A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK",explores the entire Great Lakes system.
In this presentation, she will take you along the shores of all five Great Lakes and many of the waterways connecting them. In words, photos, and video, you’ll explore the geology, hydrology, and natural history of the largest system of fresh water lakes in the world. She will also illuminate the threats to this massive ecosystem: invasive species, pollution, destruction of wetlands, and the gradual warming of the lakes.
Niewenhuis speaks with the authority of an expert as she has a M.S. degree in the biological sciences. She raises important questions about preserving our wild places and protecting the fragile ecosystems on which we all depend. - International Trail development panel - hear trail association professionals from the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and New York as we convene a panel on cross border trails tourism, promoting the Great Lakes Basin. Hear how trails are developed, managed and promoted by our counterparts just across the Ontario/USA Border.
- Local Initiatives - Kawarthas Northumberland are promoting trails and trails activity in new and exciting ways. Working with trail groups is the cornerstone of the RTO8 trails development agenda. Come and hear how Kawarthas Northumberland is working with Trent University, Fleming and the Trans Canada Trail on the development of regional initiatives such as, heritage trails, provincial trails day (June 1st) and a variety of other seasonal marketing initiatives for trails and trail towns.
- We would welcome your support, rates are reasonable and it would be great to have a few provincial trail organization booths at the conference.
Time Limited? Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Day Participation options
Canadian Canoe Museum Hosts Trailhead Ontario Wine and Cheese
The Canadian Canoe Museum is a unique national heritage centre that explores the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada. Experience the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft and learn how the canoe has defined the Canadian character and spirit. Spanning the county from coast to coast to coast, the museum’s outstanding artefacts will let you see Canada by canoe.
More information? Go to - Trailhead Ontario Call Patrick at 1-877-668-7245 or Vanessa Twiddy at 905-373-8752 | www.rto8.com
Trails Education - Select a Program!
We have updated the program and our 14 module program is here for the using. If you have staff to train, trails to manage or want a session in your area on a particular topic let us know. We'll coordinate a session or series on your behalf.
| DESCRIPTION | |
| COURSE TITLE | |
| Volunteer Management | View PDF |
| Business Planning and Budgetting | View PDF |
| Regulation and Legislation | View PDF |
| Ecosystem and Natural Heritage | View PDF |
| Wilderness First Aid | View PDF |
| Food and Nutrition | View PDF |
| Marketing and Promotion | View PDF |
| Health and Safety | View PDF |
| Technology for Trails - Level 1 | View PDF |
| Trail Design (2 days) | View PDF |
| Trail Risk Management | View PDF |
| Trail Committee Development | Manual |
| Trail Steward- On Line Learning | Program |
| Trail Planning - On Line | Program |
Trails Insurance Program AvailableOnce again, members of the trails community find themselves seeking alternative trails insurance. The volatility and unpredictability of your insurance plan keeping you hopping? Wondering what you are getting, curious if your agent or the underwriter understands trails?
If you want:
- cost stability
- product assurance
- insurance perseverance
- a broker that understands trails
Further to our recent discussions, I wanted to let you know that we have investigated various markets to get a sense of the appetite that insurers have for coverage associated with trails. Our findings suggest that coverage is available - but from a very limited number of carriers and that the cost of insurance in this class is not heading down anytime soon. The reality is that there have been losses associated with trails in general and that the frequency and severity of claims is on the rise.
On the positive side of the issue, we have had several specific discussions of late with our current carriers at Lloyd's of London and we are (collectively) very interested in ramping up our work with OTC to connect with your associates who manage trails. We and the insurers we represent are firm in our commitment to work collaboratively with the OTC trail community to develop a comprehensive risk management strategy that makes sense - and insurance is just one part of that strategy.
As for what trail insurance products we have "in the box” right now:
a) Commercial General Liability coverage —premium costs start at $1,000.00 for $2,000,000 coverage.
b) Directors and Officers liability coverage — premium costs
start at $200.00 for $I,000,000 coverage. We find that even the smallest
community group is seeing the importance of acquiring D and O coverage.
c) Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage - premiums start
at $250. 00 to cover the Officers, Directors, employees, members. The
limit of coverage is $100,000.In the near future OTC will be bundling these products as a part of membership services and products.
Performance Measures - Trail Counts!
Low
maintenance - Using weatherproof decals our methods allow users to
quickly and easily provide you with information you need to assess,
improve, direct, re-direct, or provide information to the user - while
on the trail. Our proprietary method has been developed by over 140
trail users and with the input of The City of Thunder Bay and Norfolk
County Trail Managers.Packages - OTC Member? - Take $25.00 off each package!
-
Blue - 4-10 trails: $300.00 plus HST and registration fees
- Maximum 20 sheets of decals
-
Green - 10-20 trails: $500.00 plus HST and registration fees
- Maximum 40 sheets of decals
-
Gold - 20 or more trails: Starting at $1,000 plus HST and registration fees
- TBD
Go to Trail Counts! to purchase. Thanks
Ontario Trails - Your Data Wanted
Since
2007 the Ontario Trails Council has collected trails data, and turned
that data into our award winning website, as mandated by the desires of
the trails community reflected in the Ontario Trails Strategy. Nearly
1,000,000 people a year turn to this information in order to find you
and your trails.
The characteristics we are looking for are:
1. Measurements
5. Trail Hazards (Poison Ivy, Steep Slopes)
6. Trail Fees (Day Pass, Donation, Parking etc.)
7. Seasons/Dates of Operation
8. Trail Amenities (Visitor Centre, Beach, Boat Launch etc.)
9. Trail Enforcement
10. Trail Permits
11. Trail Speed Limit
12. Trail Signage
13. Trail Environmental Concerns
14. Trail Permitted Use (Dogs on Leash)
Ontario Trails - Your Data Wanted
Since
2007 the Ontario Trails Council has collected trails data, and turned
that data into our award winning website, as mandated by the desires of
the trails community reflected in the Ontario Trails Strategy. Nearly
1,000,000 people a year turn to this information in order to find you
and your trails.The characteristics we are looking for are:
1. Measurements
- Trailhead Longitude
- Trailhead Latitude
- Completion Time (hours)
- Elevation Change (m)
- Trailhead Elevation (m)
- Maximum Elevation (m)
- Cross Slope Average (%)
- Cross Slope Maximum (%)
- Minimum Trail Width (m)
- Average Trail Width (m)
- Maximum Grade (%)
- Average Grade (%)
- Trail Surface
- Trail Classification (Trail Group/Local Classification/Difficulty/ Rating eg: OFSC Trail Classes)
5. Trail Hazards (Poison Ivy, Steep Slopes)
6. Trail Fees (Day Pass, Donation, Parking etc.)
7. Seasons/Dates of Operation
8. Trail Amenities (Visitor Centre, Beach, Boat Launch etc.)
9. Trail Enforcement
10. Trail Permits
11. Trail Speed Limit
12. Trail Signage
13. Trail Environmental Concerns
14. Trail Permitted Use (Dogs on Leash)
- Date of Collection
- Data Collector
- Trail sensitivity (high /low)
