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 - April 13, 2017

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

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 Thanks to Mike Bossio, MP for supporting Trailhead Canada! French version here 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 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! Trailhead North Nipigon! Trail Training and Hike Leader Training added to ProgramJoin us in Nipigon as we present another symposium with enriched and regional content geared to the north! 2017 Program As at 3/8/2017 Program content subject to change based on availability. 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 6 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! Be Sure to review the Benefits of Rural Recreation Report! Trail Event Postings - 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 - Trailwise - March 23, 2017

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

Canadian Trails Federation (and Ontario Trails) want to know about your International Trails Day Event!  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 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. International Trails Day brings together trails enthusiasts, to participate in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, and instructional workshops and trail work projects. At both Canadian Trails and Ontario Trails we are interested in knowing who is hosting an event as part of this celebration of trails. 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! List Your Canadian Event Here 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 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 - the Dialogue Continues! As requested when we met with MP Mike Bossio Ontario Trails Council through its various inter-linkages  have provided MP Bossio with a briefing note on Trailhead Canada as well as a short fact sheet on Canadian Trails. _____________________________________________________________ There are trails in each Canadian province and territory. Trails are managed or unmanaged. There are 360,521 trails in total. 278,576 are managed.  These are made for: 104,783km of snowmobile 32,334km of ATV/ORM 39,272km Hiking/Running 16,700km Cross Country Skiing 9278km Mountain Biking 5099km Cycling Touring 16,291 Walking Cycling Shared 6788 Equestrian Shared 20,496 Snowmobile Shared 27,536 ATV Shared   Trails are single use, mixed or shared use. Single use means one activity, mixed means motorized (M) with non-motorized (NM), and shared use means shared by a group of M or NM activities.  Canadian Trail activities include:  all-terrain vehicle, off road motorized vehicle, hiking, walking, motorcycle (dirt bike), road cycling, mountain biking, assisted electric vehicle, e-bike, snowmobiling, sight-seeing, bird-watching, snow-shoeing, climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, skijoring, equestrian, carriage, active transportation (bike or walking), running, canoe, kayaking, geo-caching. There are trails in urban, suburban, town and country, remote and wilderness areas. Trails are managed by parks, municipalities, conservation areas, heritage sites, tourism offices, economic development, private lands, first nations, recreation departments, crown land managers, and use groups. 13,290km of trails are in urban areas, focused largely on non-motorized use. Over 347,231km of trail are in sub-urban, rural and wilderness areas. For every dollar invested in trails, trails return a $1: $9 from tourism For every dollar invested in trails, trails return a $1: $4 from healthcare savings. Please join us at Trailhead Canada, so we can develop policies and best practices at the national level to support trails in your riding. Thank-you. Trailhead North Nipigon!Join us in Nipigon as we present another symposium with enriched and regional content geared to the north! 2017 Program Wednesday  Topic 8:30 – 9:00 AM  Coffee Served 9:00-9:30 AM Welcome 9:30-10:15 AM Trails Act & What it means for Northern Regional Trails 10:15-10:30 AM Break 10:30-11:15 AM Parks Canada’s Trails Program & Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area 11:15-11:45 PM Implementing the Parks Canada Trail Classification on Local Trails 11:45-12:00 PM Implementing Trail Education Program With North Shore Network 12:00-1:00 PM Luncheon 1:00 – 2:30 PM First Nation’s Trail Development 1:00 – 2:30 PM First Nation’s Eco Tourism – Lac Seul 2:30-2:45 PM Break 2:45-3:15 PM First Nation’s Employment Training 3:15-3:45 PM Implementing Trail Training Program 3:45-4:15 PM Future Trail Research 4:15-4:30 PM Networking 5:00-6:00 PM Cash Bar 6:00 – 9:00 PM Trails, the Outdoors & Climate Change (7:30 PM) Auction development! Thursday  8:30 – 9:00 AM Coffee Served 9:00-9:15 AM Welcome 9:15-9:45 AM Nipigon’s Trails 9:45-10:15 AM Lessons Learned – Setting Up A Guiding Business 10:15-10:45 AM A Guide To Northwestern Ontario’s Best Kept Secret 9:45-10:45 AM Tourism Excellence North Program 10:45-11:00 AM Sponsored by Lakehead University 11:00-Noon Fat Bikes & Winter Trails Noon-1:00 PM Luncheon 1:00-1:45 PM Canadian Trails Federation & Trailhead Canada 1:45-2:30 PM Trails Tourism Strategies – Lessons Learned from Central Counties 2:30-3:00 PM Implementing The Lighthouse Trail – Connecting 4 Light stations on Lake Superior 3:00-4:00 PM North of Superior Trails – Getting Organized 4:00-5:00 PM Rob Swainson, Hike Leader As at 3/8/2017 Program content subject to change based on availability. Trailhead Headwaters May 10, 2017! Since the New Year OTC has been working with Shirley Boxem of Headwaters in Action to bring forward Trailhead Headwaters! We are well into the planning process for the Trails Summit and striving to form an optimum agenda. We appreciate the Town of Mono who have secured have secured Monora Park for the day as a donation from the Town of Mono! OTC has been working with the community members of the CHATT, Headwaters Communities in Action’s Citizens of Headwaters for Active Transportation Team in planning the event. Yesterday Dufferin County came on board with funding support for the symposium. Thanks to Scott Burns P.Eng. for his support and kind remarks! Preliminary topic list includes: Rail Trail Development  Dufferin County Trails Master-plan Regional Trail Committee Discussion  Economic Impact of Trail Development Developing Interpretive Signage Headwaters Trails Connectivity  We will post all links to sites and registration as they go live. For now keep May 10 open as if you are in the area you may want to present or participate! Thanks Trailhead Mountain Bike - in development! 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 page 3 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! 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