Ontario Trail News - Trail Counts - the way to find out how folks are using your Ontario Trail

Performance Measures - Trail Counts!

We have your answer.

Utilizing smartphone technology trail users can now complete a short survey that:

• Logs in the trip
• Single counts individual users
• Consolidates results for centralized reporting
• Consultation on survey content.
• We ask your questions - the facility manager asks what they want to know!
• Allows for separate trail counting
• Multi-season operation
• 24/7collection
• Identifies quality of trail experiences
• Provides you feedback loop

Wherever there is a smartphone signal, and YOUR trailhead you could be gathering and collecting additional information that will make for a better trail! Got great trails? Get the feedback that keeps you in the know!

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Ontario Trails News - sustainabile trails conference Brockville and more from Ontario's trails!

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Performance Measures - Get Trail Educated!
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

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Trail Openings and Events

From Members/Financial SupportersBrantford Trails

The County of Brant and City of Brantford have recently begun distributing a new Outdoor Adventures Map that focuses on Hiking, Cycling and Paddling routes in our area.  The map also highlights outdoor recreational areas such as golf courses, outdoor pools, picnic areas and fishing holes.  We welcome all visitors to Brant County and hope they enjoy the awesome outdoor activities featured on the map.

http://www.brant.ca/forvisitors/Outdoor_Adventure_Map.pdf

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EuroMAB Conference - Brockville

Ontario Trails News - snowmobile permits available at discount until November 1, and more from Ontario trails

Trailhead Ontario - Hosts Needed

We have updated the host site surveys for 2014 and 2015.
If you and your organization wish to host in either 2014 or 2015 please complete the host surveys by November 15th, 2013.
2014 Host Survey
2015 Host Survey

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Snowmobile Permits On-Line Discounts

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Performance Measures - Trail Counts!

We have your answer.

Utilizing smartphone technology trail users can now complete a short survey that:

• Logs in the trip
• Single counts individual users
• Consolidates results for centralized reporting
• Consultation on survey content.
• We ask your questions - the facility manager asks what they want to know!
• Allows for separate trail counting
• Multi-season operation
• 24/7collection
• Identifies quality of trail experiences
• Provides you feedback loop

Wherever there is a smartphone signal, and YOUR trailhead you could be gathering and collecting additional information that will make for a better trail! Got great trails? Get the feedback that keeps you in the know!

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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.

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Low cost

$50.00 per trail per year (max 3 trails) includes:

• Decal design
• Decal Printing - max 6 sheets, various size decals
• More decals option (fee charged)
• Survey Set-up
• Survey reports
• All system maintenance
• Regional Comparisons
• Seasonal variances
• Trail differentiations
• Use patterns

Packages - OTC Member? - Take $25.00 off each package. Go to Trail Counts! to purchase. Thanks

              Please support our work

Ontario Trails News - OK it's about road cycling, but bikes and riders also use Ontario Trails!

News Release

Province Releases New Cycling Strategy

Ontario Government Committed to Safe, Sustainable Transportation

August 30, 2013 2:30 p.m.

Ministry of Transportation

Ontario has released a new cycling strategy to promote safe cycling and encourage more people to ride their bikes to work, school and recreation destinations.

The strategy presents a 20-year vision that supports cycling by encouraging and promoting:

• Healthy, active and prosperous communities
• Improvements to cycling infrastructure
• Safer highways and streets
• Improved cycling awareness
• Tourism opportunities

The strategy reflects input from the public and expert advice from cycling stakeholders such as Share the Road Cycling Coalition, the Canadian Automobile Association and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.  The government will release next steps to implement the strategy by spring 2014.

Supporting safe cycling and encouraging sustainable transit is part of the Ontario government's plan to help reduce congestion and strengthen communities and the economy.

Quick Facts

• A draft of the cycling strategy was posted online for public feedback from Nov. 30, 2012, until Jan. 29, 2013.
• In 2010, two million Canadian visitors spent $391 million while cycling in Ontario — an 18 per cent increase over the previous year.
• According to the Canadian Medical Association, a 10 per cent increase in physical activity could reduce direct health care expenditures by $150 million a year.
• Ontario has the second-lowest cycling injury rate of all Canadian provinces.

Quotes

CycleON is a strong and integrated, made-in-Ontario strategy. It has been developed with input from the public, cyclists and advocates. Our goal is to make Ontario the premier cycling province in Canada – a place that promotes safe and healthy travel alternatives connecting people to their jobs, schools, parks and places of interest right across the province.”

Glen Murray

Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure

Ontario Trails News - Paddle, Bike, Hike and Ride Ontario's Trails

Shared with OTC via Flickr

Sunday, November 13th Silver Creek and Roberts Side Trail – Irwin Quarry Side Trail

Level 1, 8 – 9 km loop hike. Depart at 10:00 a.m. Join us for a hike through mature woods in one of Ontario's oldest and least disturbed forest ecosystems. Some of the ancient white cedars, clinging to the cliff edges, are more than 800 years old. Enjoy the fresh autumn air – close to home! Bring water and snack.

Leader: Angelika 905-877-7805 asgk.canada@sympatico.ca

What you can do to help your sport
The Sudbury Star
Well, let's look first at the trails. We've had some crazy weather this summer, and you can well imagine how many trees and branches are right now blocking the trails. We all know how many kilo-metres of trails are groomed within the Sudbury Trail Plan ...
See all stories on this topic »

WEDNESDAY HIKES November, 16, 30, December 14, 2011 and January 11th, 2012

Slow paced, short hikes on local trails. Depart at 9:30 a.m. Join us for lunch at a local eatery.

Maureen Smith 905-873-9757 haltonhillshikers@yahoo.ca

Full Halton Hills Chapter Program

Ontario Trails News - Paddle, Bike, Hike and Ride Ontario's Trails

Roseman: Car insurance climbs in Ontario after benefits slashed
Toronto Star
Whether you're driving, cycling or walking, you're a heartbeat away from a serious injury and a fight with an insurer to cover your medical treatments. You probably don't realize how little you get in statutory accident benefits under your auto ...
See all stories on this topic »

Ken Brown Photo

Cobourg Kayakers reach podium at Masters Championships
Northumberland Today
Judy Tudy, flag officer of the Western Ontario Division of Canoe Kayak Canada ... While the competitive season for the Cobourg Dragon Boat and Canoe Club is ...

Thinking ahead to Minden's role in the Pan Am games
Minden Times
Whitewater Ontario, a not-for-profit organization, owns the Minden Wild Water ... competitions in the past including provincial and World Cup events. ...

Image by ddenisen via Flickr

WE Saunders, London's beloved naturalist
Londoner
On Saturdays, after an early morning outing, WE could be found walking about ... In 1931 the fledgling Federation of Ontario Naturalists chose Saunders as ...

'Drivers, remember to look for us': Hundreds ride to honour Danielle Naçu
Ottawa Citizen
She said as more and more people cycle downtown with the city's encouragement, driver and cyclist education needs to come hand-in-hand. Holmes said she supports a return to the days when the city funded an education program run by the Citizens for Safe ...
See all stories on this topic »

Retailer, Cycling Advocate Malvestuto Dies
Bicycle Retailer
He was about to turn pro when he was drafted into the Italian army in 1964, putting his cycling career on hold. Domenic got out of the army 15 months later and moved to Hamilton, Ontario, to live with a sister. He spent 11 years racing in Canada, ...
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Image via Wikipedia

Ontario mountain biker capturesPan Am bronze for Canada - The ...
Ontario mountain biker capturesPan Am bronze for Canada ... The mountain bike wasn't an Olympic qualifying event — the two women's and men's spots are ...
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/.../print/ 

Walking With A Camera: Toronto Photo Walks: Fall Foliage Fantasy
Toronto Photo Walks: Fall Foliage Fantasy. Another weekend, and another photo walk. We were hoping to get some fall colour this weekend but ended up being ...
walkingwithcamera.blogspot.com/.../toronto-photo-walks-fall-..

Enjoy a Halloween Hike
YorkRegion.com
... Environment will present its annual Halloween Hike at Lake St. George Sunday, Oct. 30 from 3 to 4:30 pm Come hike to this historic site, now a Toronto ...

Beer-drinking, bike-riding tour added to Cdn 'signature experiences'
mysask.com (press release)
Rails, Trails & Ales, offered by Northern Edge Algonquin, combines mountain biking in Algonquin Provincial Park with a beer-tasting visit to the Highlander micro-brewery in South River, Ont. There's also "an evening of brews" in a century-old log cabin ...

See all stories on this topic »

POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER, CLIMATE ... - Conservation Ontario
POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER, CLIMATE ADAPTATION PROGRAMS. DIVISION: Watershed Management. SALARY RANGE: $65, 403 to $73, 120 ...
www.conservationontario.ca/.../TRCA_Project_Manager_Clim...

Ontario Trails News - Paddle, Bike, Hike or Ride

Great Lakes Motorcycle Tour Big Business For Tourism
LOCAL2 Sault Ste. Marie
Motorcycle tourism is big business and Algoma Country is working hard to reap ... Other existing routes like the Algoma Grand Tour, the Deer Trail and St. ...



Two decades later, Narasnek's record still stands
The Sudbury Star
At the time, the Sudbury Cycling Club was riding an unprecedented wave of competitive achievement, ... Muredda had been Ontario Cycling coach of the year. ...


Spare a thought for pedestrians
London Free Press
While you're more likely to get squashed by a giant car than by a bike, make no mistake, a speeding cycle can do plenty of damage. Just look at the case of the 56-year-old Toronto woman gravely injured July 5 when a speeding cyclist struck her while ...
See all stories on this topic »


Cyclists could be banned from the rest of Laurier
Ottawa Citizen (blog)
All traffic lanes are for use of all vehicles unless otherwise restricted (and a bike is a vehicle underOntario law). Further, roads are paid for by municipal property taxes, so as a home owner in Ottawa I pay for the roads, just like you do. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Photo Credit: National Post

Peter Kuitenbrouwer: City health-report flies in face of bike lane reductions
National Post (blog)
The RFP adds, “The report should also identify policy and strategy options that could be implemented to increase safe walking, cycling, and transit use in Toronto.” “People really need to realize that there are multiple ways of getting around in the ...
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Parks Canada marks its 100th
Vancouver Sun
The celebrations also mark BC Parks' 100th birthday, and coincide with similar Parks Day celebrations across Canada, including major events in Toronto and Montreal. Those who have never pitched a tent or laced up a pair of hiking boots can take part in ...
See all stories on this topic »

OTC Shared Flickr

Dates for CLUAH Public Consultation
Wawa-news.com
To Megan G. and to my Fellow Northern Ontario Residents, If you think access is ... This means noATV or building of trails to access these lakes and lands.


Residents upset of city's plan to pave pathways Toronto Sun
By Kevin Connor ,Toronto Sun Holly Drover (left) and Suzanna Glanfield, are two of the many residents around Bluffer's Park who don't want the city to pave the nature trails around the park. (KEVIN CONNOR/Toronto Sun) Toronto's plans to take the ...
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Paddlers set to compete at 35th Mattawa River Canoe Race
The North Bay Nugget
By Press Release Paddlers from across Ontario will gather at North Bay's Olmsted Beach on July 23 at 7:00 am to take part in the longest one day canoe race in Ontario. The 64 km Mattawa RiverCanoe Race, presented by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation ...
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Cheap paddling in Ontario
Montreal Gazette
By Max Harrold, The Gazette July 15, 2011 Ontario boasts that it's a paddler's paradise. There arecanoe and kayak lessons in many of the province's 620 parks and conservation reserves. At Earl Rowe Park, about 90 kilometres north of Toronto, ...
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Tips for day trips in Ontario
Toronto Sun
Funded in part by the Ontario government, the program is “creating a model that aims to connect urban residents with parks across the province,” he added. There are convenient stops at campgrounds, canoe access points, trailheads and lodges while ...
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Fire risk 'extreme,' MNR warns
London Free Press
Weeks of relentless sun have put the region in extreme fire danger, prompted several bans onoutdoor fires, and forced watershed managers to ask farmers to cut water use -- just as their parched crops need it most. Southwestern Ontario, from Windsor to ...
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Ontario rife with elk and wild turkeys
London Free Press
“People want to do what's good for wildlife conservation and restoration. Virtually everybody is behind that, but you can't blame a farmer when the implications of playing host to an endangered or reintroduced species means loss of property values and ...
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Rare Slack Sand Dune under threat
CBC.ca
The Nepean sand dune — the largest in Ontario — was was created when the glaciers ... Stephen Aitken, the project co-ordinator for the Ottawa Greenbelt Sand ...

Photo Credit: Ottawa Citizen

High in the saddle Ottawa Citizen
Less than an hour from downtown Ottawa at 1969 Galetta Side Rd.             613-623-3439      , 1-            800-323-3439      , pintovalley.com The website says this stable in Lansdowne, Ont. isn't the fanciest in Eastern Ontario, but it's known as one of the friendliest. Trail riding ...

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Foundation grants 'invest in our community'
NorthernLife.ca
... Band of Sudbury, Northern Ontario Railroad Museum Heritage Centre, Pioneer Manor, St. Joseph's Villa, Ski Cross Country Canada and Habitat for Humanity. ...


City woman takes silver at Senior Games
Standard Freeholder
... to biking in summer, and cross-country skiing and skating in winter. ... It was just her and one other woman from Ontario who went south for the annual ...


Sports council opens doors to all athletes
Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin
... plays golf and sledge hockey, and is a cross-country and downhill skier. ... council formed after receiving a grant from ParaSport Ontario in February. ...

OTC adopted a positive approach - not conflict, but peace oriented

Ottawa to tread carefully in War of 1812 commemorations Globe and Mail This is not in any way meant to upset or put a sour taste in anybody's mouth,” federalHeritage Minister James Moore said of 1812 commemorations. ...