Showing posts with label Construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Construction. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Ontario Trails News - protecting land important for Ontario's 2500+ trails

Check what's to do near every Ontario Trail - use the nearby page for information on accommodation, restaurants etc.


From the Orillia Packet-Times

Land-trust movement has momentum

TANTA CLARKSpecial to the Packet & Times
The Ontario Land Trust Alliance strengthens land conservation in Ontario by supporting the land-trust movement. SUBMITTED IMAGE
The Ontario Land Trust Alliance strengthens land conservation in Ontario by supporting the land-trust movement. SUBMITTED IMAGE
This past week, YMCA Geneva Park hosted the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) gathering, an annual three-day conference that brings together land-trust members and others dedicated to protecting land.
Each year, more than 100 people attend. What an amazing feeling it is to be in a room with other people who are dedicated to a similar mission — to protect nature.
There were a number of workshops at the conference, ranging from a discussion on invasive species to engaging youth in nature. Many of the workshops are led by other land trusts such as the Bruce Trail Conservancy and Ontario Nature. Experts in their field and tax specialists also guide land-trust members through changes to take advantage of. One of the aspects I particularly enjoy at the gathering is the opportunity to share information and learn from each other so we can all do better in our important work.
In Ontario, there are more than 40 land trusts that collectively protect and steward more than 80,000 acres of land. Of the other land trusts, the Couchiching Conservancy is one of the largest and oldest, with the exception of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is turning 50 years old). Many of the other land trusts either have no staff and are run by volunteers or have a small staff.
You can learn about other land trusts in Ontario at olta.ca. The Couchiching Conservancy started from the same point and 21 years later, we have four full-time and two-part time staff members. And our biggest accomplishment to date? We now protect an area much larger than the entire City of Orillia.
According to the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy, there are 15 targets to work toward, one of which is to conserve more land: “By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and aquatic systems are conserved through well-connected networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.”
You can read the all of the goals at the Ontario Biodiversity Council website.
The Couchiching Conservancy is also planning for the future. Our 2014-19 strategy plan outlines a number of goals for the future, one of which is to protect an additional 2,500 acres by 2019. By partnering with other organizations, we are making a difference.
Thank you to the OLTA for its work and supporting land trusts. It’s wonderful so many people are taking action today to ensure the beautiful natural spaces that make Ontario unique are protected for future generations to enjoy.
Tanya Clark is the development co-ordinator at the Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit land trust that helps to protect thousands of acres of wild land in the area. For more information, visit couchichingconserv.ca

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Ontario Trails News - construction complaints get action in Toronto, on Toronto Trails

Cyclist’s construction complaint leads to apology, more signage

Enbridge apologizes, promises more construction signage and public notice after cyclist delayed due to partial closure of Don River Valley bike trail.

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Toronto cyclist Matt Turner sent a complaint after construction closed off the Don River Valley bike path, effectively making the route a dead end.
MATT TURNER PHOTO
Toronto cyclist Matt Turner sent a complaint after construction closed off the Don River Valley bike path, effectively making the route a dead end.
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There was no advance warning given when construction forced a partial closure of the Don River Valley bike trail last Thursday, so Matt Turner complained.
This issue, he said, isn’t the closure itself but the fact that he had to bike several kilometres into the trail before it came to an abrupt dead end.
“It would have been nice if they had posted a notice so people who use the path on a regular basis for commuting would have known,” Turner said.
Just one email later and now everyone will know.
After getting to work, Turner fired off a letter to Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, Toronto’s public works chair, Cycle Toronto and several others.
A day later, Enbridge, the natural gas distribution company doing work in the area, apologized.
Chris Meyer, a spokesperson for the company, said the closure was unanticipated, which is why there was no advance signage or notice for cyclists.
“We apologize for that inconvenience,” she said. “We know that is a very well-used bike path.”
The company has already implemented a new plan to decrease the impact of the construction on cyclists. More signage is being added well in advance so cyclists can choose an alternate route if they wish and Meyer said closures of the path will be limited to 10 minutes at a time to allow for construction vehicles to pass through.
The company will also avoid doing construction that would require the path to be closed during rush hour and construction notices will be posted to its Twitter account.
Construction near the Don River Valley bike trail is expected to end early next week.
Thursday’s emergency closure was for safety reasons, Meyer said, adding that typically the company tries to warn people in advance, “not unlike what would happen if we were working in a roadway.”
Although it might be a happy ending for cyclists on the Don River Valley, Cycle Toronto said cyclists tend to get the short end of the stick when it comes to construction across the city.
“Different construction companies get hired to do different components and there are set standards as to how construction companies are supposed to notify cyclists,” said executive director Jared Kolb. “Some do and some don’t.”
Similar to cars, Kolb said cyclists would like to see notifications ahead of time as well as more options for alternate routes.
“When it comes to bike lanes, there’s special accommodation that’s needed,” he said. “Cyclists have to be remembered because there are so many of us on the streets.”
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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Ontario Trails - All Ontario Outdoors on Ontario Trails

Ontario Trails Council - Trail Education - New In-Class Offering
Trailbuilding - March 13-14, 2013
Albion Hills Conservation Authority


 

Daniel Scott from 
IMBA writes, "Students will come away with a firm understanding of the fundamentals of trail design for both hard surface and naturally surfaced trails of various user types. A working knowledge of the design process from the planning phase to ground proofing trail alignments will be both discussed and experienced with examples and a field exercise which will include using field measurement equipment and flagging a trail alignment for construction." 

 

Program elements include:

IMBA will provide for a two day workshop educating on the following elements
• Sustainable Trail Design – Making sure it lasts using various techniques:
• 5 Elements of Sustainable Design - Micro trail design - the fundamentals for bench cut
• Bench cut Trail vs. Raised Tread Trail - when is each appropriate
• 13 Steps to Trail Planning - Macro trail design - how one trail fits within a larger system
• Art of Trail Design - User psychology and design theory in the natural landscape
• Trail Closure & Rehabilitation - Mitigating reroutes & closures through design & signage
• Advanced Design and Construction Techniques – Building in challenging locations:
• Wooden Structures - intro to various techniques and how to design for users types
• Rock Armouring - intro to various techniques and how to design for users types
• Technical Trail Features - Designing trail features specific to various user groups
• Turns - Climbing, In sloped & Switchback - which turns is appropriate for who & where?

So watch these newsletters and the trails education page on our website for updates!
 

To Book - e-mail 
courses@ontariotrails.ca
Eventbrite
 : http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4393352636#


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Trailhead Ontario 2013
trailhead ontario

Join us at Trailhead Ontario - June 9-11, 2013 as we discuss "Ontario Trails - From Recreation to Tourism."
Supported by Regional Tourism Organization 8 - Our Favorite Place.







Did you Know?
Beginning in the late 1850s a substantial canoe building industry grew up in and around Peterborough. The Peterborough Canoe Company was founded in 1893, with the factory being built on the site of the original Adam Scott mill.

Canoes continued to be a major industry in the area right up into the 1960s.  You can experience the canoes history at the Peterborough Canoe Museum, where they play host to the world’s largest collection of canoes and kayaks. Take a trip through the history of the canoe and its importance to the Canadian culture.

Our rich mix of heritage city, cottage country and flourishing farmlands – unique in Ontario – will make your visit something out of the ordinary, and in the coming weeks we will share more about what you can expect from Peterborough & the Kawarthas this June... stay tuned....

Trailhead Ontario Website

Trailhead Ontario Registration - Early Bird Ends April 1, 2013

Our Plan for 2013 – "From Recreation to Tourism" There are a lot of new trails and trail tourism partnerships in RTO8. The Ontario Trails “Trailhead Ontario 2013″ Committee is  is pleased to announce the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough as the location of our conferencing. Site locations for our trail education program are being determined now.

Become a Trailhead Ontario Presenter - tell us about yourself!

Sign Up for Trailwise
trailwise newsletter
Be sure to sign up for the weekly OTC Newsletter "Trailwise" you can sign up at the link through the picture link.

Or if you prefer download a recent copy from the OTC Website - Here

Trail Management Guides

Ontario Trails Council - Regional Trail Development Guide: developed in partnership with the Trans Canada Trail, this guide helps communities develop trail stakeholder committees. Once formed these committees help to:
  • Mitigate Trail Use Conflict
  • Seek Funds
  • Encourage Use
  • Work to reduce Trespass
Want a copy or a seminar? Contact OTC - 877-668-7245

Ontario Trails Council - Safe Trails Guide: developed with the support of the Ministry of Health Promotion, this guide includes recommended best practices on:
  • Code of Conduct
  • Permits
  • Trail Maintenance/Development
  • Qualifications to Develop Trail
  • Reporting
  • Trail Audits
  • Forms
  • Waivers/Assumption of Risk
Want a copy or a seminar? Contact OTC - 877-668-7245 

Ontario Trails Council - Event Planning Guide -perfect for the trail group planning to develop trail or hold a fund raising event to support an activity or a trail project. Content includes:
  • Event Ideas
  • Attracting Volunteers
  • Promotion
  • Critical Path to the Event (6 month step by step, from idea to event!)
Want a copy or a seminar? Contact OTC - 877-668-7245
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ontario snowmobile permit
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