Risk Management Education Session
A big thank you to our partnering host, Ontario Heritage Trust and our presenter Jeff Jackson Ph.D. who worked with OTC to bring our June 14th session on Risk Management to over 30 trail leaders and land managers.
It was a full day of trail education and sharing of experiences to make trails safer. Thanks to all who attended, especially to Kathy Hering of OHT who also sent some staff, to both Haldimand County and the Frank Cowan Company for sending 4 personnel each, and to all the Ontario Trails Members, Toronto Region Conservation, Credit Valley Conservation, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation, City of Toronto, Haldimand County, Town of Gravenhurst, and to Brock Universtiy Recreation and Leisure Studies.
A big thank you to our partnering host, Ontario Heritage Trust and our presenter Jeff Jackson Ph.D. who worked with OTC to bring our June 14th session on Risk Management to over 30 trail leaders and land managers.
It was a full day of trail education and sharing of experiences to make trails safer. Thanks to all who attended, especially to Kathy Hering of OHT who also sent some staff, to both Haldimand County and the Frank Cowan Company for sending 4 personnel each, and to all the Ontario Trails Members, Toronto Region Conservation, Credit Valley Conservation, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation, City of Toronto, Haldimand County, Town of Gravenhurst, and to Brock Universtiy Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Ontario Trails Council also wishes to acknowledge Kathy Hering, Wayne Terryberry, and Garret Hutson, members of the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee for the genesis of this session as an outcome of our April 26th Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Meeting.
For future reference:
Who should attend: any manager or person responsible for the safe and responsible operation of recreational trail, lands, parks or conservation areas with trails.
Course Objective: To provide participants with the best possible understanding of liability as it pertains to recreational trails. This course is not intended to substitute or replace formal legal advice, all information is provided for discussion purposes only.
Course Details: This course is delivered as a 1 day, 7-hour module. Using photos and /or video of actual trails we will demonstrate actual trail risks and show how these risks can be managed. Through the use of photos of real signage, we will provide participants with a “hands-on” experience allowing them to clearly differentiate between the good and the bad.
Course Outline:
Course Objective: To provide participants with the best possible understanding of liability as it pertains to recreational trails. This course is not intended to substitute or replace formal legal advice, all information is provided for discussion purposes only.
Course Details: This course is delivered as a 1 day, 7-hour module. Using photos and /or video of actual trails we will demonstrate actual trail risks and show how these risks can be managed. Through the use of photos of real signage, we will provide participants with a “hands-on” experience allowing them to clearly differentiate between the good and the bad.
Course Outline:
- Responsibilities/Liability
- Requirements for Varying Types of Trails
- Policies and Operations
- Joint & Several-Liability
- Vicarious Liability
- Immunities
- Assumption of Risk
- Risk Management
- Law of Risk Management
- Inspections
- Documentation
- Signs
- Appropriate Use of the Trail
- Rules of the Trail
- Risk Assessments
- Risk Financing
- Insurance
If you would like to have this type of training closer to your trails contact the OTC - 613-484-1140. Thanks.
Take "The Safe Trail User" Pledge
Recently OTC studied trail risk management, attended the Orangeville Horse Meeting and have had an ongoing confrontation with activity groups about their perception of our work towards collaboration between activities.
This, in fact, has been one of the core issues OTC has been tasked to deal with since its inception. In support, we are asking user groups and individuals to take
The Ontario Trails Safe Trail User Pledge.
Download the form from our trail etiquette page.
Revitalize your Trails - host a Trailhead Trails Education Symposium
Calendar of Education Events Developed
Ontario Trails Council is pleased to announce its schedule of events through the remainder of 2018.
As you can appreciate we are working on supporting funding for these events with our partners, we are pleased to confirm -
Sept 26 - Muskoka - Trails Tourism
Sept 27 - Ontario Trails AGM
November 4 - Ontario Mountain Bike Summit
November 5 and 6th - Grand Watershed Trails
Ontario trails have the capability to add more events to its calendar. Those highlighted in orange above are in finalizing stages.
Event branding is also underway. As links to the programs and registration pages are finalized the links to these pages will be published.
Watch for more detail on branding, programs, and registration through this newsletter and on our social media.
Please note that for many of the events we are using the talents of Alex Brodka she can be reached through otcprojectasst@gmail.com
We thank you for your support.
Horse Trails Meeting June 16th, 2014.
Conservation Hamilton - Horses & Equestrians
EquestriansSeasonal Equestrians Trail Information
Explore HCA on horseback and enjoy the areas in a whole different way. Horses are permitted in some HCA areas, and we ask that you familiarize yourself with the points below.
HCA areas are closed on a seasonal basis due to ice and the spring thaw and during this time it will be posted on HCA's website.
Where to go?
Horses are permitted on multi-use trails at Christie Lake, Dundas Valley and Westfield Heritage Village.
Dundas Valley - Parking for horse trailers is available at the main Dundas Valley parking lot, located at 650 Governor’s Road. You'll also be able to enjoy the new day-use corrals in the main parking lot.
What can you expect?
- Inexperienced trail users who may not know what to do around horses or users who are intimidated by large horses.
What is your responsibility?
- Galloping on HCA trails is NOT permitted.
- Manage your animals and don’t bring ‘green’ horses into HCA areas. Familiarize horses with expected trail encounters, such as; cyclists, dogs, strollers, etc.
- Negotiate safe passes.
- Greet users early. Hikers and cyclists should yield to horses, but many trail-users can be intimidated by horses or don't know what to do.
- Keep to the right of the trail. When passing others, always pass in a single file at a walk.
- Expect the unexpected. Small children, animals and the elderly can be unpredictable or frightened by horses.
- Stay on the trail at all times. Do not ride in mowed fields, into a creek or stream beds or off designated trails.
- Kick or otherwise remove manure from the trail.
Don’t miss the Annual Equestrian Campout taking place in the Dundas Valley every August! Click here to learn more!
Ontario Trails was pleased that 60% of the attendees are current OTC members. Another 2 have received direct OTC service intervention in their community. Two are not. Hopefully, this will be corrected soon.
Thanks.
MANY THANKS to our RENEWING MEMBERS!!
Grand River Conservation
The GRCA owns four multi-use trails built on old railway corridors.
In winter, the trails are suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Check each trail's page for information on the use of horses and snowmobiles on trails.
Town of Midland
History of Midland's Recreational Trails
In 1994 Midland undertook an ambitious plan to acquire the strategically located properties of the former CN Rail line in the Harbour area, thus embarking on the implementation of the "Reclaiming the Edge" municipal waterfront plan. These lands, melded with other municipally owned properties, created the opportunity to develop a pedestrian trail that links Midland to our neighbours in Penetanguishene and Tay.
The first section of the designated Trans Canada Trail traverses through a hard wood bush, along roadways, across a manicured waterfront park hugging a shoreline trail to the water's edge through the Midland Town Dock. The Trans Canada Trail then continues on through Harbourside Park along Bayshore Drive to the "lookout" and onto William Street. Our sponsor, the Midland Rotary Club, has generously contributed over $250,000 in time, material and labour for the construction of this portion of the trail, 5.2 km (3.2m) which is jointly named the Rotary Waterfront Trail. The remainder of the Trans Canada Trail, 2.4 km (1.5m) is being constructed for the municipality by the shoreline developers and will be integrated into the informal trail system, 1.4 km (0.85m), in Ste. Marie Park. The Town also has a trail that runs through picturesque Little Lake Park for your enjoyment, which the Rotary Club also contributed to. Please click on the map to enlarge the image.
South Nation ConservationHiking is an invigorating pastime and a great way to explore nature. Outdoor adventures are close to home at five South Nation Conservation Areas with kilometres of trails and spectacular vistas to be discovered.
Each SNC location offers unique treks from boardwalks through wetlands, to forested, interpretive trails. Glimpses of wildlife and the splendor of each season won’t disappoint the regular woodland rambler or the amateur naturalist.
Town of CaledonCaledon has over 260 km of publicly accessible trails, over 65 parks and many playgrounds, picnic areas, splash pads, tennis courts, sports fields, a leash free park, a skateboard park and many other amenities. There are many options for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor recreation.
Grand River Conservation
The GRCA owns four multi-use trails built on old railway corridors.- Elora Cataract Trailway
- Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail
- SC Johnson Trail (Paris to Brantford)
- Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail
In winter, the trails are suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Check each trail's page for information on the use of horses and snowmobiles on trails.
Town of Midland
In 1994 Midland undertook an ambitious plan to acquire the strategically located properties of the former CN Rail line in the Harbour area, thus embarking on the implementation of the "Reclaiming the Edge" municipal waterfront plan. These lands, melded with other municipally owned properties, created the opportunity to develop a pedestrian trail that links Midland to our neighbours in Penetanguishene and Tay.
The first section of the designated Trans Canada Trail traverses through a hard wood bush, along roadways, across a manicured waterfront park hugging a shoreline trail to the water's edge through the Midland Town Dock. The Trans Canada Trail then continues on through Harbourside Park along Bayshore Drive to the "lookout" and onto William Street. Our sponsor, the Midland Rotary Club, has generously contributed over $250,000 in time, material and labour for the construction of this portion of the trail, 5.2 km (3.2m) which is jointly named the Rotary Waterfront Trail. The remainder of the Trans Canada Trail, 2.4 km (1.5m) is being constructed for the municipality by the shoreline developers and will be integrated into the informal trail system, 1.4 km (0.85m), in Ste. Marie Park. The Town also has a trail that runs through picturesque Little Lake Park for your enjoyment, which the Rotary Club also contributed to. Please click on the map to enlarge the image.
South Nation ConservationHiking is an invigorating pastime and a great way to explore nature. Outdoor adventures are close to home at five South Nation Conservation Areas with kilometres of trails and spectacular vistas to be discovered.
Each SNC location offers unique treks from boardwalks through wetlands, to forested, interpretive trails. Glimpses of wildlife and the splendor of each season won’t disappoint the regular woodland rambler or the amateur naturalist.
Town of CaledonCaledon has over 260 km of publicly accessible trails, over 65 parks and many playgrounds, picnic areas, splash pads, tennis courts, sports fields, a leash free park, a skateboard park and many other amenities. There are many options for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor recreation.
Make the great outdoors a part of your active lifestyle.
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park at Cataract Falls.
Photo by Gary Hall
Need to Renew? - Use Your Findjoo (find-you) ProfileRecently we sent your most recent organization or member contact person an email like the one below, Renew the profile we created for you!
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park at Cataract Falls.
Photo by Gary Hall
Need to Renew? - Use Your Findjoo (find-you) ProfileRecently we sent your most recent organization or member contact person an email like the one below, Renew the profile we created for you!
Trouble shooting notes:
- To those that were overcharged on taxes refunds have been issued for the overages.
- To those that the system indicates have paid, in some cases the final transfer of the cash did not come through on our end. We will be sending you our system indicator and we may have to process your payment through traditional means - over the phone through credit card, or via cheque and membership form.
- We apologize for any inconvenience.
Dear Member
Your Findjoo registration was created by Ontario Trails.
Your account email is your identified OTC contact email.
Findjoo.com is a site that allows you to make reservations, appointments, register for events, register for courses and renew memberships. You can either visit the site through your profile website or our website www.findjoo.com. for the online options.
Once logged in on Findjoo.com, you can access your client accounts by going over the floating "Menu" on the left side of any page.
From the menu click on the user icon.
You can modify your password from the "Your profile" link in the site header.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us through our website www.findjoo.com.
Regards,
Ontario Trails Council - Membership Team
Watch for this Badge on the Website - click to register your membership online.
Ontario Trails All Year Long!
Add an Ontario Trail Logo to your website!
Watch for it on our social media, our facebook page and on our twitter feed.
Tell us all about your trail event and join us as we celebrate Ontario's Trails!
1. Log in Your Event - Event spreadsheet.
2. Add your event to our event calendar - add it here.
3. Post your personalized decal on your Trail - we have one for every group on our list. (see #5 below)
4. Add your trail user survey to any of your trail pages - we've made one of our members and regions. Get your decal here -
4. Add your trail user survey to any of your trail pages - we've made one of our members and regions. Get your decal here -
We've checked the links if something isn't working simply give us a call - 613-484-1140. We'll be adding these links to the various relevant trail pages in your regions and RTO's/DMO's over the upcoming year!
5. Send us your Trails video - we'll be posting content online at https://goo.gl/Fy2bIL and we'd be happy to add to our trails tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/ontrails
Missing? You may want to talk to us about OTC Membership. 613-484-1140 We'd be happy to connect with you.
