Showing posts with label Toronto Police Service. Show all posts

Monday, November 2, 2015

Ontario Trails News - for roads and trails - Get Lit - from the Ontario Trails News Archive

Learn more at Ontario Cycling Trails

Cycle Toronto, Toronto Police Service and the personal injury law firm of McLeish Orlando will run an awareness program called Get Lit which will flag down unlit cyclists in the hope of educating them on the importance of staying visible and providing them with a free set for a safe ride home. The sites will be held successive weeks on busy streets as follows: Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Boulton Drive Parkette; Tuesday, October 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. –Toronto Public Library at College and Shaw; Tuesday, October 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Prince Edward Viaduct Parkette

$110 FOR NO LIGHT

The Ministry of Transportation has recently increased the set fine for improper lighting of a bicycle from $20 to $110. From half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, Ontarians must have a front white light and either a rear red reflector or rear red light on their bicycle. Ontarians riding bicycles also need to be lit when it’s dark due to rain, fog, or snow. “Improving road safety and traffic flow is one of our goals in support of and commitment to safe communities and neighbourhoods” said Superintendent Gord Jones, Unit Commander of Traffic Services. “Traffic safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses our roadways, and active transportation continues to grow in the city every day. The safety of cyclists and other road users in the city of Toronto is very important to us. We are pleased to be in partnership with our colleagues at Cycle Toronto on this innovative and important campaign.” Also participating are bike shops Urbane Cyclist Worker’s Co-op and Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop. For more information, please contact Jared Kolb, Executive Director of Cycle Toronto at 416-644-7188.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Ontario Trails News - 10 places to xc-ski in Toronto and find your favorite XC-trails!

Find your favorite Ontario XC-trails!

7 places to enjoy cross-country skiing in Toronto

Cross Country Skiing

Staff file photo/ IAN KELSO

After a heavy snowfall this couple took to the trails of Colonel Samuel Smith Park for a morning of cross-country skiing.

Beach Mirror

If downhill skiing isn’t your thing, stay in the city and check out the following Toronto parks for a great afternoon of cross-country skiing.

1. HIGH PARK, 1873 Bloor St. W., just west of Parkside Drive

This 399-acre park, which in 1873 was gifted to the City of Toronto by John and Jemima Howard with the understanding it would be maintained as public parkland, is an ideal location for cross-country skiing as it’s home to several open green spaces and hiking trails. High Park also has ample parking available and is easily accessible by public transit. Don’t forget to stop by the Grenadier Café after your skiing fun for a hot chocolate.

2. EARL BALES PARK, 4169 Bathurst St., south of Sheppard Avenue West

Names after Robert Earl Bales, a former Reeve (Mayor) of the Township of North York, Earl Bales Park is located on land once owned and farmed by his great-grandfather John Bales. Prior to becoming a 27.5-acre park, the property was home to the York Downs Golf and Country Club. Earl Bales Park is also home to one of Toronto’s two Ski and Snowboard Centres. The park’s ski chalet has recently been upgraded and a new quad chairlift has been installed.

3. CENTENNIAL PARK, 256 Centennial Park Rd., near Eglinton Avenue West and Renforth Drive

Once part of Hirons family dairy farm, Centennial Park opened in 1967 for Canada’s 100th birthday. Toronto’s second largest park at 525 acres, Centennial Park is also one of the city’s busiest parks and a great space for cross-country skiing. Centennial Park is home to the other Ski and Snowboard centres. The ski hill now sits atop what was once a municipal dump. It was closed and covered over to provide users with an intermediate ski slope, a beginner slope and a snowboard slope.

4. COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK, 3145 Lake Shore Blvd. W. at Kipling Avenue

Measuring 194.6 acres, Colonel Samuel Smith Park is a great location for winter fun. Named in honour of Lt. Colonel Samuel Smith, the park – which opened in 1996 – was once part of his property in the 1800s. Aside from being a large space for cross-country skiing, the park also offers stunning panoramic view of the city as well as a skating trail.

5. MORNINGSIDE PARK, 390 Morningside Ave., south of Ellesmere Road

Occupying the majority of the deep valley of Highland Creek and bordering the neighbourhoods of West Hill and Highland Creek, Morningside Park is a well-used 416.7-acre green space that is great for cross-country skiing.

6. ROUGE PARK, located along Meadowvale Avenue, south of Steeles Avenue

Set to become Canada’s first national urban park, Rouge Park is a massive, diverse green space located in the Rouge River watershed along the Toronto-Pickering border. Rouge Park, known as Canada’s premier urban wilderness park, is more than 10,000 acres in size and an ideal location of winter sports of all kinds including cross-country skiing.

7. EGLINTON FLATS, 3601 Eglinton Ave W. at Jane Street

Built on the Humber River Floodplain, the land that is now home to Eglinton Flats was owned and farmed by the Scarlett family in the mid 1800’s. It later became a market garden but was flooded out by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. The land then became part of a new floodplain plan and became a park. Home to several sports fields, Eglinton Flats – Mount Dennis’s biggest park at 129 acres – has many wide open spaces perfect for cross-country skiing.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Ontario Trails News - Royal Winter Fair supports Ontario Equestrian Federation and girls riding, plus Go Snowmobiling Week announced

Find out more about Ontario's horse trails

The Royal gives Girl Guides 'Ticket to Ride' horses

Educational program helps participants learn about horses through hands-on activities

TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has introduced a new hands-on educational program that will help Girl Guides learn more about horses during an evening of special programming.

The Royal has partnered with the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) and Equine Guelph to create the "Ticket to Ride Girl Guide Evening" on Wednesday, November 12, which introduces them to the world of horses and allows them to work towards earning their Horsepower Badge.

"The Royal is all about great partnerships that provide the opportunity for our visitors to get in touch with agriculture," says Sandra Banks, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. "We are pleased to showcase these initiatives with Equine Guelph and the Ontario Equestrian Federation, offering the chance for our youth to gain hands-on interactions with the horse world."

Participants will learn about feeding and caring for horses, visit the stables to learn from the pros on how to tack up horses for riding or driving, learn about horse behaviour and care at the EquiMania! Exhibit and gain knowledge about breeds and grooming at the OEF booth. The evening will culminate in a special presentation by OEF in the Animal Theatre.

Featuring 10 days of diverse programming which showcases all that's new in the world of farming and fresh, local food, The Royal takes place from November 7-16, 2014 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal:

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, The 92nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 7-16, 2014 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum inToronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
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From the Manitoulin Expositor

BARRIE—Following Ontario’s best snowmobiling winter in years in 2013, the not-for-profit Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and its member clubs are officially launching the 2014-15 snowmobiling season with Get Ready To Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week, November 24 to 30. The new season celebration starts as club volunteers are hard at work clearing, preparing and signing over 30,000 kilometres of OFSC trails to welcome snowmobilers back.

Although OFSC trails are not available for snowmobiling at this time, early indicators are very positive for a great snowmobile season ahead, with long-range forecasts predicting a cold, snowy winter and many parts of the province already experiencing below zero temperatures and early snowfalls. With the cooperation of Mother Nature, some OFSC trails could be available for limited riding around Christmas so snowmobilers are advised to check the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide for the latest updates at www.ofsc.on.ca.

With 2015 permits already setting new sales records, Get Ready To Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week invites more Ontarians to discover the family fun of organized snowmobiling, plus its many social, health and recreational benefits. Get Ready Week is also the cue for OFSC snowmobilers to start making their Ontario ride plans and preparing their sleds and gear. As well, this special week marks the final days that Seasonal and Classic Snowmobile Trail Permits are available at pre-December 1 savings. Permits can be bought online at www.ofsc.on.ca.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Ontario Trails News - use trails, stay off roads and this would happen less often.

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46Mike ‏@wilksays Oct 29

@CycleToronto how does it not surprise me that the part of the city that overwhelming voted for Ford is a spot where cyclists get run down?
54George Sawision ME ‏@GSawision Nov 1

@CycleToronto another four years of council ignoring the problem, next election we can elect councilors who care! #topoli