Ontario Trails: Eastern Time Zone

Showing posts with label Eastern Time Zone. Show all posts

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Ontario Trail News - boost for Brockville Trails

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Boost for Brock Trail ask 10

By Ronald Zajac, Recorder and Times

Thursday, October 30, 2014 9:42:41 EDT AM

Alan Medcalf rides across a bridge on the Brock Trail over Buell's Creek at Beecher Street in this file photo. (DARCY CHEEK/The Recorder and Times)

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Ontario Trails News - demand for cycling, routes, lanes, information and trails still growing

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Demand for road repairs, sidewalks and cycling routes still growing

By Barbara Simpson, Sarnia Observer

Monday, November 3, 2014 5:03:00 EST PM

Sarnia's tax base is expected to see an all-time low level of growth in 2015.

City officials are projecting only $120,320 of new tax revenue – or a 0.2% increase in real assessment growth – next year.

“This comes as a surprise to me because the real estate numbers and the building numbers have been good,” Coun. Anne Marie Gillis said during a special council meeting held Monday.

While new residential taxpayers have come on board, the city's finance director Brian McKay said the growth of new commercial and industrial taxpayers has been slow.

But the solution isn't just a large industrial plant coming to town, he noted.

“I don't believe that myself,” he said. “If you get [a large plant], that's wonderful. What you need is several smaller industrial businesses to see real assessment growth.”

The city typically likes to see more than a 1% increase to its tax base, McKay noted. But until the recent 2015 projections, the lowest increase had been 0.5%.

City officials are proposing a 5.97% tax hike – or $50 for every $100,000 of residential assessment – to maintain the current level of services and programs. While much of that increase is attributed to rising staff salaries, benefits and insurance premiums, McKay said city departments haven't even factored in inflation to the cost of their materials to keep their budgets low.

At the same time, city councillors heard Monday about the growing demand for road repairs, as well as the addition of new sidewalks and bike lanes.

In the last two years, public works staff have focused on arterial and collector roads rather than local roads due to budget limitations.

But they are proposing the city spend an additional $500,000 next year to handle the deteriorating condition of local roadways.

Stretches of Waterworks Road, Confederation Line, Vidal Street, Plank Road and Blackwell Side Road have all been flagged for work.

“They're all gateways to our community, they're used in different ways and they're in need of immediate work,” city construction manager Robert Williams said in his presentation to council Monday.

About 100 kilometres of city roads all together have been flagged as in need of immediate work, according to an updated 2015 roads study.

In the last decade, the city has completed 85 kilometres of road work to the tune of $12.4 million.

A total of $1 million – enough to repair roughly six kilometres of a two-lane road – has been budgeted for road work in 2015.

“We're never going to catch up at $1 million a year,” Coun. Bev MacDougall pointed out.

But councillors did hear some good news in terms of the long-awaited expansion of city bike lanes.

The province recently announced the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program. It will fund up to 50% of a project completed by March 31, 2017.

“The Ontario government is recognizing (cycling) is an important mode of transportation for a lot of people,” city development manager Mike Berkvens said Monday.

Earlier this year, city council approved a transportation master plan outlining ways to make Sarnia a more accessible city for walkers, cyclists and bus riders.

Consultants have estimated the city would need to spend $350,000 annually for 20 years and $160,000 annually for 10 years to improve the city's sidewalks and cycling routes respectively.

But neither of those funding commitments have been included in the 2015 draft budget.

City council will hear public input on the draft budget at its meeting next Monday. Budget deliberations have been set for Dec. 9.

barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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

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From the Orillia Packet-Times

Land-trust movement has momentum

TANTA CLARK, Special to the Packet & Times

Friday, October 31, 2014 5:06:59 EDT PM

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.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Ontairo Trail News - check out snowmobiling on Ontario Trails

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Sunset Trail Riders waiting for cold weather to begin grooming operations

By Reg Clayton, Reg Clayton, Kenora Daiy Miner & News

Thursday, December 5, 2013 10:39:18 EST AM

Snowmobilers are advised to restrict their riding to dry land as lake ice isn’t yet sufficiently thick enough to support Sunset Trail Riders club trail groomers. FILE PHOTO/FOR THE ENTERPRISE

There’s plenty of snow but grooming operations by the Sunset Trail Riders are on hold until cold weather freezes the ground and water beneath the network of land and lake trails maintained by the snowmobile club in the Kenora area.

“We’re getting snow but the problem is it’s acting as an insulating blanket and keeping the ground from freezing underneath,” explained Sunset Trail Riders president Richard Wilkening. “We need colder weather, there’s enough ice on the lakes to support the snow but our groomer weighs 20,000 lbs. and we need at least 16 inches of good, hard, blue ice and that takes a while to form. We’re all volunteers and nobody likes to get wet.”

The thin ice has also prevented club members from getting out on the lakes to mark trails although Wilkening hopes that staking activities will get underway shortly.

Snowmobilers are well advised to limit their riding to solid ground until lake conditions improve.

Wilkening also commented on Ontario Hydro’s proposal to charge snowmobile clubs for trail access along powerline corridors to recover a portion of property taxes the utility pays on the land.

“At this point it’s all being argued at the provincial level. We’ll have to wait to see what happens,” he said. Wilkening suggested the issue may be more relevant in southern Ontario where powerline corridors and snowmobile trails cross private property compared to the Northwest where they are primarily located on Crown land.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha criticized Ontario Hydro’s plan as a “cash grab” that threatens the community-based volunteer snowmobile clubs across the province.

“Snowmobile clubs do not have the funds to cover property taxes for hydro corridors,” Mantha stated in a news release.

Meanwhile, Wilkening noted seasonal permit sales are going very well with about 475 members purchasing the permits prior to the end of the early bird discount on Dec. 1.

“We’re a little below last year but doing well,” he said.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club permits now cost $260.

Wilkening is also looking for members to help out with all aspects of club activities, including trail workers, groomer operators, marketing and communications.

To volunteer, or for more information on club activities as well as up-to-date trail conditions and grooming reports, refer to the Sunset Trail Riders website at: www.sunsettrailriders.com.

Reg.Clayton@sunmedia.ca

twitter@RegClayton

Monday, September 2, 2013

Ontario Trails News - Eco-Trailbuilders, an Ontario Trails Member profiled in the Haliburton (also a Member) Echo - great stories about the people of Ontario Trails!

Trails to the heart rooted in love

By Darren Lum

Monday, August 26, 2013 3:32:32 EDT PM

Image: 1 of 6

Andrea Wilson, left, and her husband Hap use hand tools to shape the trail. They love their work building trails to help people to reconnect with nature through their efforts running Eco Trailbuilders. DARREN LUM/HALIBURTON ECHO/QMI AGENCY

Eco Trailbuilders owner Hap Wilson and his wife Andrea smile like newlyweds when they look at each other. They sit on a bench, overlooking a marsh on part of a five-kilometre trail in Gooderham under a summer sun.
The couple work as a trail-building team, helping others embrace nature.
They’ve been working together for three years, spending days at a time together along with their dog, Abbey, while working on trails.
Married after close to two years, they took the long road to marital bliss.
It is their second go around together after being separated for 18 years, as Andrea said her decision to leave the marriage the first time around was hers due to being “young.”
They’re definitely making up for lost time, working and living a full life together.
“Finally, we got it together,” she said.
On the second date, Andrea didn’t waste time.
“Hap says to me, ‘would you ever marry again?’ I looked at him and said, ‘I’d marry you in a second.’ He said, ‘done.’”
Both are trail users and skills instructors, who take satisfaction in sharing their passion for nature.
Hap said only recently did the company’s work really start to take off.
“It’s an evolution of ideals. We’ve got to the point where we’re really concerned with our health,” he said.
He has worn several hats: park ranger, canoe guide, outfitter, trail builder, and environmental activist.
Wilson first constructed trails, bridges and boardwalks as a park ranger from 1977 to 1984, including Ontario’s first old-growth hiking trail on Temagami Island.
Since 1977, he has published 12 books and guides. The Cabin, Trails and Tribulations, Grey Owl and Me are the latest additions. He has written for Canadian Geographic, Explore and Cottage Life.
Hap is best known for his ecotourism/travel guidebooks. He has led more than 300 wilderness expeditions in Canada even teaching Pierce Bronson how to paddle a canoe and how to throw knives for the movie the Grey Owl.
The Eco Trailbuilders client list is a who’s who of trail providers in Ontario and Manitoba.
It includes Parks Canada, Trans Canada Trails, Canadian Heritage River Systems, Manitoba Tourism, Manitoba Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the J.W. Marriott Resort Inn Muskoka.
A growing list of private clients signals the public’s desire to get back to basics and improve their health.
Trails can also provide emotional solace.
A woman who used a trail they built told them it helped her cope with the loss of her husband.
“When we put the trails in it gave her a whole new perspective of the value of life and to just move on. She was so ecstatic about the trails here,” he said. “It proves a lot to people at various stages in their life whether they’re children or older people the value of nature and the outdoors and what it means to us as individuals.”
The work, they said, is back breaking and is therefore costly.
For every kilometre, Hap said, it can cost $10,000 without the construction of features such as a bridge. Labourers are needed and are paid well because of the challenging nature of the work.
This past year Hap was sent a letter of endorsement by the Ontario Trails Council for his ethical trail building practices. It’s an acknowledgement he is proud of.
He wishes greater effort were put into trail building, recognizing the sensitive nature of the forest. Most people just don’t understand its complexities.
“They don’t understand the work that goes into it. They don’t understand the science that goes into it,” he said. “A lot of people call themselves trail builders, like landscaping companies, but they don’t have a background in sustainable trail development. That’s a huge problem. They have to understand soil types, sensitive vegetation.”
It’s important to have an awareness of the area so you can transplant a tree or plan a trail to move around certain trees. It is not only aesthetic, but also necessary for the natural health of the area.
Although the couple boasts a 20-year history as eco-tourism consultants, the company claims 30 years of experience in land-based trail design using a “soft” approach to trail building. They employ mainly hand-building techniques and equipment with only a practical use of mechanized equipment. When they do use chainsaws, the company uses a biodegradable chain-oil for their chainsaws, he points out.
In the winter when waterways are frozen the company brings in the bulk of building materials by sled or snow machine, minimizing any threat of trail or vegetation damage.
When possible, they try to use local material, particularly when a feature such as a bridge or boardwalk is in contact with the earth. It not only saves the client money, but it ensures a healthier trail.
The company’s specialty is constructing boardwalks and bridges. This includes simple, floating boardwalks or low puncheons. They are also capable of building anchored observation decks and wildlife viewing stations, which can be used to gain a different perspective or for photographic opportunities. The hallmarks of their trails include bench cuts, switchbacks, rock armouring, stone steps, retaining walls, accents and rock or chainsaw-carved art sculptures. The aim is consistent so the trail blends into the surroundings.
Eco Trailbuilders have completed 425 projects, 3,500 metres of boardwalk, 700 kilometres of land-based trails and 12,000 kilometres of water-based routes. Right now, the company is also lending its expertise to the Trans Canada Water Trail Path of the Paddle from Thunder Bay to Manitoba. This is a 900-plus kilometre water route from Falcon River to Pigeon River.
Based in Rosseau of Muskoka, the couple enjoys their time working in the Canadian Shield area in spite of the bugs. “We can build trails just about anywhere in any situation. Because of the topography it’s so rugged the rock and pine, the roots, the rocks, all of this stuff. We knit trails together surgically. Basically we’ve [only] worked in Canadian Shield country. We’re so used to it now,” he said.
“It’s very beautiful country,” he said. “Even though it’s highly developed as cottage country and retirement properties there are still huge pockets of what you’d call close wilderness.”