Monday, June 1, 2026

Ontario Trail News - a news roundup from Ontario and Canada about our favourite recreational places -- our trails!

 

Ontario Trails Council - a provincial charity working for the development, use, management and preservation of trails and trail based activity.
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off-road safety month
ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER - June 1, 2026

• National Trail Summit - Go Fund Us • Project Funding Builds Trails •
• Seasonal Activity on Ontario Trails •
• Trail Projects • Updates • Member Services •

ontario trails kids on a trail bridge

the province of Ontario flag
Ontario Trails Council is a charity, led by a volunteer board of directors, that promotes the use, management, development, and preservation of trails and trail-based activities in Ontario. 

Please consider supporting us through a donation or a membership. Thanks.

 

TOP TRAIL NEWS
 

OTC PRESIDENT DAN ANDREWS - in the News! Thanks Dan.
Garden club abuzz with talk of new Scanlon Creek nature centre - Bradford Today
Bradford Today
... Ontario Trails Council, currently in the role of president. He also has an “extraordinary interest” in the pollinator areas and trees found at ...
 
Canada Tops Global Hiking Rankings in 2026 as Demand for Trail Tourism Surges Worldwide
Travel And Tour World
Canada has been ranked the world's best hiking destination in 2026, scoring a perfect 10/10 in a global trail analysis covering difficulty, ...
 
Using your head on the trails starts with a helmet - Huntsville Doppler
Huntsville Doppler
... Ontario's Youth ATV Rider Training Program. Riders of all ... Huntsville OPP seek public assistance identifying dirt bike rider in Port Sydney.
 
Georgina lines up a packed summer with seniors events, rock climbing, curbside giveaway
Newmarket today
Celebrate Seniors Month at one of three seniors barbecue events in Keswick, Sutton and Pefferlaw. The first one takes place June 5 at Club 55 Keswick.
 
OPP urges ATV riders to wear helmets and avoid impaired riding ahead of safety week
Wallaceburg News
... Ontario trails. In a statement issued ahead of ATV Safety Week, the OPP ... The OPP said it remains committed to safety across Ontario's extensive trail ...
 
From Trails to Towns: Parks Canada Reports Record Visits and Major Economic Impact
To Do Canada
Parks Canada says the places it administers continue to play a major role in Canada's tourism economy, with new figures showing record visitation ...
 
Get moving this June for the 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge - Thorold News
ThoroldToday.ca
... ParticipACTION Community Challenge. Running from June 1 to 30, the national initiative encourages communities across Canada to track physical ...
 
Get active and help Timmins win $100K this June - TimminsToday.com
Timmins Today
The ParticipACTION challenge is back, and the city has its eye on the top prize.
 
Bike Week returning with rides, workshops and prizes - Sault Ste. Marie News
SooToday.com
Full event details: Bike Week - Sault Cycling Club. Bike Week 2026 ... Northern Ontario Business · Oakville News · OntarioFlyers.ca · OrilliaMatters ...
 
Free trailhead parking, activities on Trail Discovery Day in Uxbridge - Durham Region News
Durham Region News
Travel Ontario. Typhoon Twister among new attractions at Ontario's major water parks launching their summer season. Article was updated 5 hrs ago ...
 
OPP – Wear a Helmet while riding an All-terrain Vehicle - Wawa-news.com
Wawa-news.com
... trails. Impaired driving is another deadly risk of ... The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario.
 
OPP: 'Concerning' behaviour of ATV rider catches police attention
CTV News
... Wave of rejection letters sent to Ontario Public Service workers who ...
 
What to See and Do at the New Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area at Mississauga Waterfront
ToDo Canada
... Canada contributed $4.14 million ... Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park: Towering Cliffs, Arctic Flora, and Dramatic Views Along Accessible Trails.
 
Model keeps Canada's social sector from advocating for themselves, Canadians: experts
Future of Good
One way to help the sector and hold levels of government to account would be to establish a home within the government, argues Imagine Canada. Imagine ...
 


Add your Voice Ontario!


trans canada trail state of the trails survey 2026Trans Canada Trail is supporting a national research study on the State of the Trail sector in Canada. The research is being conducted by UNITY Workforce Strategies, a women-led, Canadian research and consulting firm.

The State of the Trail Sector study looks at how trails are used, supported, and experienced across the country, including both day-to-day use and the work involved in governance, stewardship, and funding.

The insights gathered through this study will help build a clearer picture of the trail sector across Canada, supporting stronger planning, coordination, and understanding of the conditions shaping trails in different communities and contexts. We hope the findings will be useful to organizations, communities, and partners working to sustain and strengthen trails over time.

As part of this, we’re inviting you to take part and to help circulate the survey within your networks.

The survey link below will guide respondents to the questions most relevant to them. Organizations can share perspectives on stewardship, funding, governance, and coordination, while individuals can share their experiences using and accessing trails. Some people may be relevant to both.

The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

Take the survey: https://www.research.net/r/TrailSectorv4 



NEWS RELEASE
 
Ontario Investing Over $22 Million to Help Seniors Stay Active and Healthy

New investments come as Ontario celebrates 60 years of supporting Seniors Active Living Centres

May 29, 2026
Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

WINDSOR – The Ontario government is marking 60 years of supporting Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) programs with a new investment of $22.8 million to help seniors across the province stay active, healthy and socially connected. Announced at Life After Fifty in Windsor, one of the province’s first active living centres, this funding will support more than 400 SALC programs across Ontario, helping deliver the services and community connections seniors need to live healthier, more independent lives.

“I am so pleased to celebrate this at Life After Fifty in Windsor. In many ways, the concept of seniors active living centres all got started here,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “We are proud of our investments in Seniors Active Living Centres programs over the past six decades, which are expanding services, keeping our seniors fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in their communities.”

SALC programs deliver a range of initiatives designed to bring seniors together to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, offering ongoing recreational, social, and lifestyle activities. The province partners with a range of organizations to deliver SALC programs, including municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.

“Life After Fifty holds the distinction of being one of the first Seniors Active Living Centre programs funded by the Government of Ontario, supporting older adults in staying active, connected, and engaged in our community,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor—Tecumseh. “I am proud to join Life After Fifty in celebrating 60 years of service and this significant milestone, while recognizing the contributions of Windsor’s seniors in building the strong community we enjoy today and promoting health, independence, and well-being.”

Today’s announcement comes as Ontario marks the beginning of Seniors Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of older adults across the province and highlight the programs and services available to support their needs.

“Congratulations to Life After Fifty on 60 fantastic years of keeping seniors connected, active, and healthy,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP – Essex, “I’m proud to be part of the movement with Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Essex County. Let’s keep the ball rolling, and continue living healthy, fulfilling lives.”

Today’s announcement builds on the province’s historic $17 million funding increase in 2024, which supported the opening of more than 100 new Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario, expanding access to programs and services that help seniors stay active, engaged and connected.

"For 60 years, Life After Fifty has been proud to partner with the Province of Ontario to support older adults in living active, connected, and independent lives,” said Tom Wilson, Executive Director, Life After Fifty in Windsor. “This anniversary is both a celebration of our shared history and a reminder of the importance of continued investment in programs that strengthen our communities. We are grateful for this enduring partnership and excited for the work that lies ahead!"

Media Contacts
Wallace Pidgeon
Minister’s Office
Wallace.Pidgeon@ontario.ca

Media Desk
Communications Branch
Msaa.Media@ontario.ca

City of Barrie celebrating Seniors Month with various events
Barrie 360
Parkview 55+ Giant Outdoor (Trunk) Garage Sale. Stop ... Christine Nayler of Barrie, Ontario, pictured in 2025, advocates for a federal apology ...
 

hamilton conservation authority noticeHCA is seeking public input for the Dundas Valley Study Area Plans (Phase 1).
We are updating Master Plans and Management Plans for several conservation areas in the Dundas Valley area as part of our Ten-Year Master Plan Update Strategy. These plans provide a long-term vision and help guide how conservation areas are managed, restored, improved, and developed over time.

Phase 1 areas include Tiffany Falls Conservation Area, Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area, Meadowlands Conservation Area, Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area, and Canal Park.

Public surveys are open until June 12, 2026.
Learn more and share your feedback: https://lnkd.in/eHPSx8JY
 
 

Mayor's Walks - 2026
 

mayor's walk badge

Many communities will hold walks on Provincial/International Trails Day.

We provide links to walks and trail celebrations that take place June 6, as well as throughout the year.

The Ontario Trails "Mayor's Walk" events are open to OTC member organizations to act as hosts for a walk in 2026. 

Tell us when you are having an event in 2026 Event Notification Sheet.

With trails in 100's of Ontario Communities this is a great way to showcase your local support while enabling all the Mayor's and their trail friends to get out for a celebration of trails.Send us details about your Trail Day Celebration! 

Did you Know? Please search 'Trails Day' on Facebook, Ontario Trails provided 80% of Canadian messaging content about trails day.       

Ask for the Mayor's Walk event planning tool, email us at execdir@ontariotrails.ca
 
 
Police search for paddleboarder missing since Saturday night - Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
... Canada with one account; Share your ... In a release, police say Robson Florentino, 38, was last seen entering the Ottawa River on a paddle ...
 
Greenbelt home to nearly 70% of species at risk in last two decades but PCs stay silent on ...
The Pointer
The stark warning from Ontario Nature Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Tony Morris, has fallen on deaf ears within Ontario's powerful ...
 
Forests Canada and Greenbelt Foundation Nearing One-Million-Tree Milestone
Yahoo Finance
... Canada at Albion Hills Conservation Park on May 22. (CNW Group/Forests Canada). With the spring planting season well underway, the two ...
 
What to See and Do at the New Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area at Mississauga Waterfront
ToDo Canada
... Ontario from newly created lookout points. Waterfront Trail, 1.9 km: Paved multi-use waterfront route through meadows, forests, creek crossings ...
 
A New Way to Keep Mosquitoes Away: Research Shows Canadians Are Ready to Rethink ...
The Globe and Mail
A New Way to Keep Mosquitoes Away: Research Shows Canadians Are Ready to Rethink Outdoor Defense. Thermacell Repellents Inc. - GlobeNewswire - 3 ...
 
Protest against Doug Ford happening in the Sault this weekend - SooToday.com
SooToday.com
... Ontario that day. ... Marie and area, many residents enjoy our local waterways, local hiking trails, and our ability to see wildlife,” she said.
 

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