Ontario Trail News - Trailwise - April 27, 2017

• Celebration of Trails Week • Trailhead Events • Membership Drive    • Donate to Trails Today • Member News • Activity Updates

Trailhead North Nipigon! The Ontario Trails Council wishes to thank all the participants and supporters who helped make Trailhead North 2017 a big success. Since last year the Nor'wester Hiking Association, the Voyageur Trail Association, with the Township of Nipigon, have made ready 7 trails in the Nipigon Area for trail use. We wish to thank the Ontario Parks Association, Ontario Equestrian Federation, Stihl Power Equipment, as well as all the participants who took time from their schedules to learn more about trails, trail programs and education through the Trailhead North event! The OTC wishes to acknowledge the newest members of OTC as Friends of Trails - Aric Fishman, Luke Wassegijig, Justin Truelove, Rob Swainson  - congratulations! We also presented the Nor'Wester Hiking Association with a  Trail Builder Award! Congratulations to the Township of Nipigon whom the OTC recognizes with a Trails of  Join us next year as we present Trailhead North in Sault Ste. Marie! Provincial Celebration of Trails Week!  For the first time Ontario is recognizing the trails that offer so much of us so much enjoyment, by declaring a Celebration of Trails Week. Send us your event! Celebration of Trails Week is taking place in Ontario May 29 to June 4 this year. This week is designed to showcase outdoor lifestyles, recreational activity and the diversity of trails that Ontario has. Tell us all about your trail event and join us as we celebrate Ontario's Trails! Whether you paddle, ride, walk, bike, hike, climb or get fit on your favourite trail, the Celebration of Trails Week is your chance to coordinate an event to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of Ontario's 2600+ trails! Be sure to log in your event here! Event spreadsheet. To add your event to our event calendar add it here. Be sure to also celebrate International Trails Day!At both Canadian Trails and Ontario Trails we are interested in knowing who is hosting an event as part of this celebration of trails. International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails, trail development and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June. Started by the American Hiking Society in 1992, trails Day has spread to encompass all forms of recreational trail usage in more than a dozen countries worldwide. It promotes public awareness of and appreciation for trails and the people who build & maintain them. List Your Canadian Event Here It promotes public awareness of and appreciation for trails and the people who build and maintain them. Builds partnerships among trail groups, businesses, and public land managers. Encourages cooperative efforts among different trail users, including hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, walkers, runners. You only have to log it in once on the national site, OTC monitors this site as part of its voluntary contribution to the national organization so we'll copy it to our inventory if it's based in Ontario! The public is encouraged to join in the celebration by attending one of the community events listed at www.internationaltrailsday.com. With content from Leisure Information Network Ontario Trails Council looking for a Strategic PlannerIn order to remain as a leading provider of trail related services to our members, the Ontario Trails Council has worked for a number of years to secure support for our revitalization. Since 2004 the OTC has worked in support of Ontario Trails and the Ontario Trails Strategy. Perhaps you have noticed that our sustainability has been noted as a deliverable of the Ontario Trails Strategy Action Plan? To that end we have worked for over a year to secure funds to retain a Strategic Business Plan Consultant. Please find an RFP for circulation to professionals in the strategic planning process you may know, as well as to groups you work with through your trails councils or committees. https://goo.gl/oPVoIY We need your input!In 2015 we secured 101 respondents to our "The Value of Trails - Measuring the Economic Impact of Trails Survey."  We've added 18 more to the 2017 updates. We have a ways to go. Click through the screen capture below to access the survey. There are many metrics to measure in determining the economic impact of trails, and tourism in just one factor. In order to accurately represent a closer economic impact of trails we are requesting your speedy response to our Call to Action for Your Input to our Value of Trails 2017 survey. With your help we will make an even stronger case for trails and the supports you require to provide a top notch experience at each of your trail destinations. We are also accepting new responses! Many Thanks! Trailhead Headwaters May 10, 2017!Posted by HCIA on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment HCIA Trails/CHATT (Citizens of Headwaters for Active Transportation Team) will again be partnering with the Ontario Trails Council (OTC) to host a Trails Summit.  The OTC has a wonderful track record of hosting and managing Trailhead events.  This event to be supported by our partners at the County of Dufferin, The Town of Mono, and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. The Summit will be an opportunity for stakeholders, interested groups and residents to come together and discuss all things Trail. What has happened since the first summit in 2009? Given our growing population and identification of Well-Being issues in our latest Well-Being Report, what are the Trail priorities now? Trail experts are joining us from across Ontario: Rail Trail Development: with a presentation from Chris Lee who is on the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail Committee Dufferin County Active Transportation and Trails plan (DCATT): Jay Cranstone from MMM Group and Patrick Connor from Ontario Trails Council will detail the Trails masterplan model and as it applies to Dufferin. Regional Trail Committee Discussion: Patrick Connor of OTC with Alex Brodka- Administrator of the Hamilton Burlington Trail Council on the possible development and implementation of a Dufferin Regional Trail Committee. Economic Impact of Trail Development: Kirsten Spence – formerly of the Trans Canada Trail and Park to Park Trail Association, with Patrick Connor. Detailing economic recapture tools. Developing Interpretive Signage: Implementation of Interpretive Signage with AODA Compliance Standards (TBD) Headwaters Trails Connectivity: Roundtable discussions of priorities identified by Headwaters citizens, project opportunities, and possible next steps. Headwaters Trails Summit Date: Wednesday May 10, 2017, 9:00am -4:00pm Registration 8:30 am with light breakfast and coffee provided Lunch provided with a walk on the local Trails weather permitting. Location: Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Drive, Mono, ON L9W 0E1 Cost to attend this full day event (lunch included with all tickets): $75.00 ~ Organization representatives (Trails, Municipal, Recreation, etc). This ticket also allows you to attend all sessions and profile your organization with literature handouts and/or a table display. A table will be provided and your organization promoted where possible. $50.00 ~ Ontario Trails Council members. Attendance for all sessions. $25.00 ~ General Admission: Public and non-OTC Members: Attendance for all sessions. If you want to participate in the development of this event please contact us. REGISTER Event notice: Ride the GARTRide the Goderich-Auburn Rail Trail on June 4th to celebrate Trails Week in Ontario; meet at the trailhead on Harbour Street, Goderich at 1 p.m. for a leisurely ride. Sponsored by Active Transportation Goderich, and the Maitland Trail Association. More information - Ride the Gart Trailhead Canada - Topics Listed On-Line!Below you'll see page 7 of topics open for discussion at the event. Click through to the main website to find 7 pages of topics we are planning to explore over the event. Check the site for presenter applications you can download or complete on-line. Thanks. Be sure to check out the 7 pages of topics up for presentation. https://trailheadcanada.com/topics/ Remember to Donate! Trail Development Posting - Kitchener - links to more information! Membership Renewals - Thank-you for your Support!We wish to thank the organizations that have already completed their membership for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your continued support. Many thanks!  "The OTC provides us with the ability to communicate and collaborate with industry stakeholders, professionals and advocates. It also provides us with the tools to develop our own capacities, skills and networks. As well, it is important to back to the OTC and trail communities in our province. Being an OTC member allows us to benefit from the knowledge of other members through education and professional development opportunities such as the Trailhead Ontario conference, and through professional networking. The OTC is the influential body that will help guide and shape the political, professional and physical landscape of trails in Ontario. Joining the OTC provides an opportunity to be part of this process: to both contribute and gain knowledge in a community of passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations."  - Damian Bradley, Cycling advocate and Developer Guelph Regional Trails Council Membership Benefits INFORMATION AND FUNDING OTC Trails and Event page representation Representation on OTC trails maps Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people Fund Development through grant writing, grant support ACCESS AND INFLUENCE Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Office services and networking support BEST PRACTICES Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange Access to Professional Development sessions Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS Access to Trail Insurance Broker Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution 2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF     2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC CATEGORIES Become a "Friend of Trails" Savings on conference/seminar registration Monthly e-bulletins Access to OTC trails database Great gift price! Savings on trail literature/maps $26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST) Benefits to Student Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise Access to OTC trails information Conference and selected literature savings * must provide student verification $21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST) Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks, trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units and other trail-related supporting organizations. Base HST Total Small Non-profit, Small Organizations $109.27 $14.20 $123.47 Conservation Authorities, Medium Municipalities, Counties, Regional Tourism Organizations $273.18 $35.51 $308.69 Municipalities, Provincial Level Organizations >5000 users $819.54 $106.54 $926.0

Ontario Trails News - March 2, 2017

• Trail Management • Trailhead Events • Membership Drive    • Donate to Trails Today • Member News • Activity Updates

We need your help! In 2015 we secured 101 respondents to our "The Value of Trails - Measuring the Economic Impact of Trails Survey."  We've added 12 more to the 2017 updates. We have a ways to go. Below you will see the OTC is presenting to the Canadian Parks and Recreation Conference March 10, and to Parks and Recreation Ontario March 28. On both occasions we are speaking to trails tourism and the economic impact of trails. Click through the screen capture below to access the survey. There are many metrics to measure in determining the economic impact of trails, and tourism in just one factor. In order to accurately represent a closer economic impact of trails we are requesting your speedy response to our Call to Action for Your Input to our Value of Trails 2017 survey. With your help we will make an even stronger case for trails and the supports you require to provide a top notch experience at each of your trail destinations. We are also accepting new responses! Many Thanks! We encourage you to complete our Trails Tourism Survey We continue to work on gathering information in order provide Regional Tourism Organizations with an action plan for integration of trails, tourism, and marketing products, including changes to our award winning OTC Website. In order to make recommendations we need your input. To date we have reached out to over 115 RTO/DMO/DMP partners. Please get back to us. We are trying to complete our analysis and we want your input as opposed to a gap, unfortunately gaps will be noted. Contact Patrick at execdir@ontariotrails.ca or call him 613-484-1140, thanks. Trailhead Hastings!We had a fantastic turn out for Trailhead Hastings, over 40 people were there. Thanks to Jack de Wit, OTC President for attending, and to Carol OItment, Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport, Mark Schmidt from Parks Canada, Louisa Mursell from Ontario By Bike, Kacey Rogerson from Hastings County, Robert Orland from Orland Conservation for their presentations! And a special thanks to Catherine Trimble from North Hastings Economic Development Committee, Tanya Hill from Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit, and David Naulls, Councillor Wollaston Township for assisting with planning. Dialogue continues on making more trails for Hastings County and on providing content as the County develops a trails master plan. Trailhead North Nipigon!Join us in Nipigon as we present another symposium with enriched and regional content geared to the north! Trailhead Headwaters in Development - May 2017! Trailhead Mountain Bike - in development! Ontario Trails E.D. and OTC Board Member Paul Ronan Presenting at CPRA Conference 2017 Canadian Parks Conference: Parks, Protected Areas, Open Spaces and Public Places March 8-11, 2017 The Banff Centre Banff, Alberta The Conference Brochure has just been released! Click here to see details on our engaging keynotes, educational break-out sessions and exciting social events! ARPA is excited to announce that we will be hosting a national parks conference in 2017! This networking, professional development and social event will inspire and challenge contemporary thinking about parks, protected areas, open spaces and public places. The conference will include six keynote speakers, over 45 breakout session, and pre-conference workshops and tours. The 2017 Canadian Parks Conference will build off of the momentum and outcomes of the 2016 Canadian Parks Summit, and include speakers and topics of interest on themes, opportunities and issues discussed at the Summit. Join us in our country's first-ever national park to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday and renew a vision for Canada's parks! Ontario Trails E.D. Presenting at PRO Conference PRO Educational Forum and Trade Show March 28 - 31, 2017        SPONSORSHIP, ADVERTISING & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES Parks and Recreation Ontario is delighted to invite sponsors, advertisers and trade show exhibitors to the PRO Educational Forum and Trade Show at Deerhurst Conference Centre from March 28 - 31, 2017. Come to introduce your product/service, increase visibility for your brand, and engage with more than 600 parks and recreation professionals from across Ontario and beyond. Please complete our Value of Trails 2017 Survey by March 1 - your input will shape our CPRA and PRO Presentations Trailhead Canada - Topics Listed On-Line!Below you'll see our first poster for the event. Click through to the main website to find 7 pages of topics we are planning to explore over the event. https://trailheadcanada.com/topics/ Remember to Donate! Membership Renewals - Thank-you for your Support!We wish to thank the organizations that have already completed their membership for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your continued support. Many thanks!  "The OTC provides us with the ability to communicate and collaborate with industry stakeholders, professionals and advocates. It also provides us with the tools to develop our own capacities, skills and networks. As well, it is important to back to the OTC and trail communities in our province. Being an OTC member allows us to benefit from the knowledge of other members through education and professional development opportunities such as the Trailhead Ontario conference, and through professional networking. The OTC is the influential body that will help guide and shape the political, professional and physical landscape of trails in Ontario. Joining the OTC provides an opportunity to be part of this process: to both contribute and gain knowledge in a community of passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations."  - Damian Bradley, Cycling advocate and Developer Guelph Regional Trails Council Membership Benefits INFORMATION AND FUNDING OTC Trails and Event page representation Representation on OTC trails maps Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people Fund Development through grant writing, grant support ACCESS AND INFLUENCE Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Office services and networking support BEST PRACTICES Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange Access to Professional Development sessions Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS Access to Trail Insurance Broker Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution 2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF     2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC CATEGORIES Become a "Friend of Trails" Savings on conference/seminar registration Monthly e-bulletins Access to OTC trails database Great gift price! Savings on trail literature/maps $26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST) Benefits to Student Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise Access to OTC trails information Conference and selected literature savings * must provide student verification $21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST) Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks, trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units and other trail-related supporting organizations. Base HST Total Small Non-profit, Small Organizations $109.27 $14.20 $123.47 Conservation Authorities, Medium Municipalities, Counties, Regional Tourism Organizations $273.18 $35.51 $308.69 Municipalities, Provincial Level Organizations >5000 users $819.54 $106.54 $926.0

Ontario Trails News - February 23, 2017

• Trail Management • Trailhead Events • Membership Drive    • Donate to Trails Today • Member News • Activity Updates

We need your help! In 2015 we secured 101 respondents to our "The Value of Trails - Measuring the Economic Impact of Trails Survey."  We've added 12 more to the 2017 updates. We have a ways to go. Below you will see the OTC is presenting to the Canadian Parks and Recreation Conference March 10, and to Parks and Recreation Ontario March 28. On both occasions we are speaking to trails tourism and the economic impact of trails. Click through the screen capture below to access the survey. There are many metrics to measure in determining the economic impact of trails, and tourism in just one factor. In order to accurately represent a closer economic impact of trails we are requesting your speedy response to our Call to Action for Your Input to our Value of Trails 2017 survey. With your help we will make an even stronger case for trails and the supports you require to provide a top notch experience at each of your trail destinations. We are also accepting new responses! Many Thanks! Warm Weather closing Snowmobile Trails - from CTV Barrie SLED SAFE - watch ice and water conditions! The once snow packed trails are losing the battle against Mother Nature a little early than expected. Wet, thick mud and puddles covered trails across the region on Wednesday. This spat of warm weather has closed more than 1,000 km of snowmobile trails. Trails from as far south as Innisfil, to Midland in the north have been affected. Rider safety is the driving force behind the closures. More snow further north! We encourage you to complete our Trails Tourism Survey We continue to work on gathering information in order provide Regional Tourism Organizations with an action plan for integration of trails, tourism, and marketing products, including changes to our award winning OTC Website. In order to make recommendations we need your input. To date we have reached out to over 115 RTO/DMO/DMP partners. Please get back to us. We are trying to complete our analysis and we want your input as opposed to a gap, unfortunately gaps will be noted. Contact Patrick at execdir@ontariotrails.ca or call him 613-484-1140, thanks. Trailhead Hastings! Trailhead North Nipigon!Join us in Nipigon as we present another symposium with enriched and regional content geared to the north! Trailhead Headwaters in Development - May 2017! Trailhead Mountain Bike - in development!   Trails Supported in Prince Edward County Big plans for Millennium Trail Officials in Prince Edward County have some big plans to make the Millennium Trail more user-friendly. The municipality and the Prince Edward Trails Committee have committed to upgrading the multi-use recreational facility, which is used by snowmobilers, hikers, cyclists, ATV riders and cross country skiers. A majority of the trail, except for eleven kilometres improved in recent years by the Wellington Rotary Club, has a gravel or uneven dirt surface, and there is little or no directional signage. The trails group began fundraising for $80,000 late last year, and already has $28,000 in pledges, and the county will provide $370,000 over three years, for a total of $450,000. The work will include grading and resurfacing the trail with crushed limestone and installing kilometre markers and way-finding signage to guide users to nearby points of interest. Story from http://inquinte.ca/story/big-plans-for-millennium-trail N.B.The Ontario Trails Council is very pleased to have supported Barry Davidson and the work of the Prince Edward County Trail Committee for over 8 years. PEC is a municipal member of the provincial trails council. In 2006 we visited Shire Hall and reviewed the original masterplan with staffs and we have participated in funding different trail initiatives in the County; such as Friends of Sandbanks Provincial Park in 2009-11 and 2014-16. We appreciate the support of the County and the various departments engaged over the years who are now supporting the PEC Trails Committee and the great partnership that has developed. Since 2007 we have assisted in the development of over 50 trail committees throughout Ontario in order to make trails more useable, affordable and safe for all. For more information on our work see http://ontariotrails.ca Join us March 1st in Bancroft for Trailhead Hastings. http://trailheadhastings.com Ontario Trails E.D. and OTC Board Member Paul Ronan Presenting at CPRA Conference 2017 Canadian Parks Conference: Parks, Protected Areas, Open Spaces and Public Places March 8-11, 2017 The Banff Centre Banff, Alberta The Conference Brochure has just been released! Click here to see details on our engaging keynotes, educational break-out sessions and exciting social events! ARPA is excited to announce that we will be hosting a national parks conference in 2017! This networking, professional development and social event will inspire and challenge contemporary thinking about parks, protected areas, open spaces and public places. The conference will include six keynote speakers, over 45 breakout session, and pre-conference workshops and tours. The 2017 Canadian Parks Conference will build off of the momentum and outcomes of the 2016 Canadian Parks Summit, and include speakers and topics of interest on themes, opportunities and issues discussed at the Summit. Join us in our country's first-ever national park to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday and renew a vision for Canada's parks! Ontario Trails E.D. Presenting at PRO Conference PRO Educational Forum and Trade Show March 28 - 31, 2017        SPONSORSHIP, ADVERTISING & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES Parks and Recreation Ontario is delighted to invite sponsors, advertisers and trade show exhibitors to the PRO Educational Forum and Trade Show at Deerhurst Conference Centre from March 28 - 31, 2017. Come to introduce your product/service, increase visibility for your brand, and engage with more than 600 parks and recreation professionals from across Ontario and beyond. Please complete our Value of Trails 2017 Survey by March 1 - your input will shape our CPRA and PRO Presentations Trailhead Canada - Celebration Poster On-Line!Below you'll see our first poster for the event. Click through to the main website to find 7 pages of topics we are planning to explore over the event. Remember to Donate!   Membership Renewals - Thank-you for your Support!We wish to thank the organizations that have already completed their membership for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your continued support. Many thanks!    "The OTC provides us with the ability to communicate and collaborate with industry stakeholders, professionals and advocates. It also provides us with the tools to develop our own capacities, skills and networks. As well, it is important to back to the OTC and trail communities in our province. Being an OTC member allows us to benefit from the knowledge of other members through education and professional development opportunities such as the Trailhead Ontario conference, and through professional networking. The OTC is the influential body that will help guide and shape the political, professional and physical landscape of trails in Ontario. Joining the OTC provides an opportunity to be part of this process: to both contribute and gain knowledge in a community of passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations."  - Damian Bradley, Cycling advocate and Developer Guelph Regional Trails Council Membership Benefits INFORMATION AND FUNDING OTC Trails and Event page representation Representation on OTC trails maps Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people Fund Development through grant writing, grant support ACCESS AND INFLUENCE Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Office services and networking support BEST PRACTICES Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange Access to Professional Development sessions Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS Access to Trail Insurance Broker Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution 2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF     2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC CATEGORIES Become a "Friend of Trails" Savings on conference/seminar registration Monthly e-bulletins Access to OTC trails database Great gift price! Savings on trail literature/maps $26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST) Benefits to Student Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise Access to OTC trails information Conference and selected literature savings * must provide student verification $21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST) Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks, trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units and other trail-related supporting organizations.   Base HST Total Small Non-profit, Small Organizations $109.27 $14.20 $123.47 Conservation Authorities, Medium Municipalities, Counties, Regional Tourism Organizations $273.18 $35.51 $308.69 Municipalities, Provincial Level Organizations >5000 users $819.54 $106.54 $926.0