Showing posts with label Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Ontario Trails News - news from around Ontario's 2600 recreational trails!

Parks
Paul Ronan OTC Board Member and Patrick Connor OTC ED will be attending Park and Recreation Ontario meetings next week. Paul will be speaking on a variety of panels adding trail content in places. Patrick will be attending to connect with members and if you are a member with an outstanding membership he'll be happy to accept a cheque from you on the 26th. Thanks

Snowmobiling


Snowshoeing

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Ontario Trail News - News and Information from all over Ontario's Trails!

Development NewsROMA/OGRA Show


 
On February 25th about 20 trail organizations attended a meet and greet "trails" function at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Conference.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport provided profile to the Ontario Trails Strategy and the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee and the various initiative the MTCS has promoted to improve trails since 2005. The MTCS Ontario Place Revitalization Team was also in attendance, which is a good thing as Ontario Place is supposed to be for ALL Ontario!
 
The Tudor room was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport the event saw over 150 representatives from rural municipalities take time out to meet the Ontario Trails Council, The Waterfront Trail, The Trans Canada Trail Ontario, The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, Hike Ontario, The Bruce Trail Conservancy, The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders, The Ontario Equestrian Federation, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs, the CycleON MTO office, the Share the Road Coalition, and The MNR Trails Data Office.
 
The OTC was able to meet partners from all over Ontario, but we had specific requests to assist in trail development from Prince Edward, Renfrew County, Township of Bayham, Brockville and the Thousand Islands, as well as all the member NGO's in the room. 
 
Thanks to Chris White from OTC Member Guelph Eramosa, for bringing the event to the attention of the MTCS through the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee, and thanks to the lead Ministry for listening and responding with the opportunity to connect with our members.

National Trail Coalition funding in Budget

The National Trails Coalition (NTC) is the operating name for the Coalition of Canadian Trails Organizations, a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization. The NTC was formed in 2007 to bring the broad spectrum of trail-based activities together in a collaborative manner to build, maintain and promote trails and trail use across Canada. One of the founding principles of the Coalition is building new partnerships between trail disciplines; fostering more multiple-use trail development; and providing a trail-based platform on which private enterprise and volunteer groups alike can generate economic activity.
The umbrella organizations spearheading the coalition initiative are the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), and the Canadian Trails Federation (CTF). Through their affiliates across Canada, these parent bodies represent trail building, operating and maintenance organizations in every province and territory. Most importantly, they provide trail infrastructure and a tourism product that is used by millions of Canadians and visitors to Canada.
For the full press release see: http://goo.gl/5G9ELi
 

Legal Input Sought
Is there a law in Ontario you think needs to be changed? The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) reviews existing provincial laws to see whether they can be improved or repealed or whether circumstances require new laws. We also review government policy and practices.


 
The LCO welcomes law reform proposals from individuals and organizations, including academics, jurists, lawyers, community and advocacy groups, labour organizations, businesses and members of the public. We are accepting proposals until March 21, 2014. This is the second and final call for proposals for projects to begin later this year and to take us into what we hope will be our third mandate beginning in January 2017.
 
Please be aware that the LCO does not provide funding for others to undertake projects, but undertakes Board-approved projects in-house.
For more information about making a proposal, and to find out how the LCO selects projects, see our website. See the range of projects we have completed and are undertaking now. You can learn about our funders and supporters and more about the LCO at www.lco-cdo.org.
Contact us at lawcommission@lco-cdo.org


Education News

Our Sincere Condolences
Trails lost a great guy in Bob McFarland. He was a past employee of the City of Woodstock where he served as the
Director of Community Services and previously the same position in Waterloo and Oakville.
Bob was involved in many community groups, organizations and served on many Boards and Committees in
Woodstock, Waterloo and Oakville. It can be said that wherever he lived, he got involved in the community.
One of the groups he was involved with was the Oxford County Trail Committee and he was a member of the OTC Education Faculty.

On-Line started Feb 3rd!

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Friday, January 17, 2014

Ontario Trail News - Trail New from all around Ontario's Trails

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New demos at Toronto boat showChatham Daily News
Visitors can try Water Walkers – walking on water inside a durable clear ... GoodLife Fitness has opened a souped-up gym inside Toronto Pearson ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Flood Watch Issued For Windsor & Essex CountywindsoriteDOTca
The Essex Region Conservation Authority's Tim Byrne says frozen ground conditions, a snow pack that is holding a water equivalency of between ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Stay Off Snowmobile TrailsBayshore Broadcasting News Centre
Stay Off Snowmobile Trails ... The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs says riders could destroy the trails with the rain and mild temperatures.
See all stories on this topic »

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Carl Hnatyshyn, Special to The Free PressLondon Free Press
Dangerous ice: Across Southwestern Ontario, the common theme among the region's conservation authorities is to use caution and steer clear of ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Snowshoeing race gaining in popularityStandard Freeholder
... Summerstown Forest Trails. The field would have almost reached 70 for the first event of the 2014 Dion Eastern Ontario Snowshoe Running Series, ...
See all stories on this topic »
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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Ontario Trails News - trail news and trail information from all around Ontario's trails!

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OPP report 5 fatal snowmobile collisions province-wideLOCAL2 Sault Ste. Marie
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) provide designated trails that are marked, mapped, maintained and patrolled for the safety and ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Snowshoeing in CanadaCANOE
In Northern Ontario, you can find the perfect wilderness escape at ... Gros Morn National Park, NFLD, offers snowshoeing trails along the coast of the ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Issues Watershed ...NorthumberlandView.ca
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority is notifying watershed residents that a low pressure system will be passing through Southern Ontario ...
See all stories on this topic »

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City committee votes against electric bikes in designated lanesThe Globe and Mail
Toronto's bicycle lanes remain the preserve of those using their own power after a city committee chose not to heed staff advice to open them up to ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Ontario Trails News - news about Ontario's 2500+ trails from the Ontario Trails Council

We Welcome Returning Members:

Eskakwa Eco-Tours

Simcoe County

Conservation Halton

Brant Waterways Foundation

OTC Attends Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Meeting

Weather

Trail Conditions


OPP AND OFSC WARN SNOWMOBILERS TO STAY OFF EARLY ICE:
“Be Very Cautious Because No Ice is 100 per cent Safe”
(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are reminding snowmobilers that no ice can be considered 100 per cent safe to ride on with a snowmobile. This is especially true this winter when ice is forming earlier than usual in many areas and may look safe, but is not yet thick or strong enough. This ice warning also applies during any prolonged period of thaw or rain, and late in the season after ice begins to deteriorate from milder temperatures.
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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Ontario Trail News - Trailwise December 12, 2013

Weekly E-Bulletin of the Ontario Trails Council. The provincial trails association in Ontario. Week of December 12, 2013

• Community Trail News  • Winter Sports
• Member Links • Activity and User News • Surveys and Feedback
 Trail News
Ontario Trails Council Membership Drive on Now
The Ontario Trails Council is a charitable organization, established in 1988, that promotes the creation, development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails.
Over past years membership got: a working Ontario Trails Strategy, new Regional Trail Committees, $25 Million in federal funding for communities, 84 trail projects in Ontario equaling 16.4M, new funding to complete the Trans Canada and Waterfront Trails, Toronto Trails, Lake Erie Coastal Trail, Trans Canada Trail and 2,000 other trails in Ontario. We do this with your support!
Friends of Trails
  • Savings on conference/seminar registration
  • Monthly e-bulletins
  • Access to OTC trails database
  • Great gift price!
  • Savings on trail literature/maps
$25.75 + $3.38 = $29.13 (includes 13% HST)
Student
  • 4 editions of the OTC newsletter Greenways
  • Access to OTC trails information
  • Conference and selected literature savings
  * must provide student verification
$20.60 + $2.67 = $23.27(includes 13% HST)
Organizational Members
Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks, trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units and other trail-related supporting organizations.
Benefits to Organization
  • Access to Trail Insurance package
  • OTC Web page representation
  • Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network
  • Access to Professional Development sessions, i.e. Trails Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Design Build Workshops
  • User conflict resolution
  • Representation on OTC trails maps
  • Regional Trail Management Committee development
  • Knowledge exchange
  • Office services and networking support
  • Advocacy benefits - provincially and nationally
  • Savings on conference/seminar registration
PRICING - Buy fax, credit card or mail (all include 13% HST)
Yearly Rates BaseHSTTotal
Small <200 td="" trail="" users=""> $103.00$13.39$116.39
Medium 200:5000 users $257.50$33.47$290.97
Large >5000 users $772.50$100.42$872.92
These prices do not include PayPal fees.
You can support the OTC in a number of ways. One way is to add one of the badges below to your website or blog. Or become a member! Options below.
Simply cut and paste the text beneath a badge into your HTML:
support-the-otc-125x125support-otc-234x60

 
GoGo

We Welcome 4 NEW Members:

Burlington Parks and Recreation

City of Windsor

Ganaraska Forest Centre

Friends of Glengarry Trails

Monday, December 9, 2013

Ontairo Trail News - check out snowmobiling on Ontario Trails

Ontario Snowmobile Trails on Facebook


Sunset Trail Riders waiting for cold weather to begin grooming operations
By Reg ClaytonReg Clayton, Kenora Daiy Miner & News
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
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


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Friday, November 22, 2013

Ontario Trail News - about trail membership, trail services and snowmobling on Ontario Trails!

Ontario Trail Memberships - Annual Drive on Now

Once again its that time of year where we send out our membership invoices. We have made a modification for 2014.
  • Many groups have verbally committed to OTC for membership in 2013. If you did we are sending you an invoice that reflects this outstanding commitment.
  • Invoices are net 30, so we are sending earlier to avoid staff departure for the holidays, so they can be processed.
Recently we read an appeal by the Appalachian Trail to the community to help make its budget. They are $771,000 in need. In comparison the OTC needs your support - but collectively to make this years budget our goal is $24,000. Your act of renewal keeps us open and functioning. Across 140 members that is $171.42 per group. Please do your part and pay on time!

Benefits: real work through your membership support.
  • OTC Education Program - the trail strategy calls for sector training. Through OTC you have a mechanism
  • OTC Advocacy - the OTS consultations are the result of your Board at work
  • Trail Projects - from Georgian Bay to North Shore of Superior to the Guelph to Goderich Greenway we are assisting communities to have the trails they want.
  • Saving Trail - in Welland and Niagara we are saving the trail that was closed
  • Building Trail - we have assisted in the hands on building of trail in Eastern Ontario
  • Trails By Type - through our efforts use groups are better organized and this has led to the development of horse trails in Norfolk County for example
  • Trail Master Planning - because of our provincial conference the Oxford County is engaged in a trail planning exercise, and we have commented on that.
  • Weekly News Bulletins - Trailwise tells the rest of the trail community about what you are doing on your trails
  • Justifying your Trails - through the Trail Counts Program you can tell your community who uses your trail and how much they use it.

Snowmobile Week Riding - November 24-30, 2013

(Barrie, ONNovember 22, 2013) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and its member clubs are celebrating the coming sledding season during Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week, November 24 to 30. The celebration starts as club volunteers are hard at work clearing, preparing and signing over 30,000 kilometres of OFSC trails. Although OFSC trails are not available for snowmobiling at this time, early indicators are very positive for a great 2014 snowmobile season ahead, with long-range forecasts predicting a cold, snowy winter and many parts of the province already having experienced below zero temperatures and early snowfalls. More Information Here

From the Clubs- go to the Ontario Snowmobile Trails FB Page and see the newsfeed, stories posted by Clubs there. Such as:




We have updated the host site surveys for 2014 and 2015. Thanks to the various organizations and locations that expressed an interest. 2015 still open for application. 2014 status will be reviewed by Conference Committee.
2015 Host Survey


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