Ontario Trail News - Trailwise - May 11, 2017

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

Trailhead Headwaters May 10, 2017!The Ontario Trails Council was pleased to present the following community awards and recognitions: Ontario Trails Builder Award to the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail Ontario Friend of Trails to: Headwaters Community in Action Organization Ontario Friend of Trails to: Dufferin County Ontario Friend of Trails to: Citizens of Headwaters Active Transportation Team Ontario Friend of Trails to: The Hamilton Burlington Trails Council  The Ontario Trails Council recognizes the tens of thousands of volunteers, and 1,000,000's of trail users in Ontario who use trails for healthy, mind, body and soul. We thank all of you for your contribution. Deadline Extended to May 26th to Comment Ministry of Tourism,  Culture and Sport Minister 9th Floor, Hearst Block 900 Bay Street Toronto, ON M7A 2E1 Ministry of Transportation Minister 3rd Floor, Ferguson Block 77 Wellesley St W. Toronto, ON M7A 1Z8 Monday, May 8, 2017Dear Valued Cycling Partners: On April 27th, Ontario tabled the 2017 Budget. This budget returns the government to balance while continuing to make investments that make everyday life easier for people all across Ontario. We are very proud that our budget includes an investment of $50 million for commuter cycling infrastructure in 2017–18 to give Ontarians a safe and low‐cost commuting alternative between residential communities, workplaces, major transit stations and other destinations and while enhancing their safety and well-being through investments in infrastructure. This will enable people to take bikes and transit for their daily commute instead of personal vehicles, effectively reducing GHG emissions. Your advocacy contributed to the creation of #CycleON -- Ontario's cycling strategy -- which serves as a blueprint to help us create healthy, active and prosperous communities that have better cycling infrastructure and safer streets and highways. At the recent Share the Road Cycling Coalition annual Ontario Bike Summit, we reiterated our government’s commitment to implement Ontario's Cycling Strategy, #CycleON. Through #CycleON, the province is working to identify a long-term network of cycling routes across Ontario that will: Promote recreational cycling and cycling tourism; Connect municipal cycling routes and places of interest; Identify areas of provincial infrastructure that should accommodate cycling; and, Prioritize future cycling infrastructure investments on provincial highways. The draft network we’ve identified includes over 8,000km of cycling routes that connect the regions of the province – and the people that live there providing access to major communities and destinations.  We invite you to view and submit comments on the draft network at www.ontario.ca/cycling. The comment period has been extended until May 26, 2017. Over 70 per cent of Ontario’s population resides within 5km of these cycling routes. The province-wide network has the potential to enhance tourism and recreation opportunities across the province. And in urban areas, the network is also an opportunity to look at developing routes that will serve both recreational and commuter routes in the years to come. It was around this time last year that our government announced our commitment to provide $10 million under the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure program to 37 cities and towns across the province that are working to build new or improve their existing cycling infrastructure in ways that make sense locally. This includes urban, suburban and rural communities like Brampton, Niagara, Ottawa, Chatham-Kent, Kingston, and Thunder Bay among others. In 2015, we also announced an additional commitment of $15 million for routes along provincial highways so that cyclists have a connected and continuous network. The cycling investment in Budget 2017 builds on the recent cycling initiatives that the government has made. This unprecedented investment promotes cycling and walking as part of a healthy, active lifestyle while making commuter cycling easier and safer. Last month, we were pleased to introduce Ontario’s first Cycling Tourism Plan: Tour by Bike. It’s no secret that cycling tourism in Ontario is experiencing rapid growth as more people realize what a fun and healthy form of transportation cycling can be. Ontario is home to an extensive cycling and trails network that stretches across the province, connects our communities and offers unique views of our urban and rural landscapes. Through this plan, we will continue to work to increase and promote cycling as a tourism draw in Ontario communities. Tour by Bike builds on the work we began with the Tourism Action Plan and the Strategic Framework for Tourism in Ontario.   We all have the same goal. We want to continue making Ontario a safe place to cycle, and to stand out as a world-class cycling destination. Our work to date has positioned us well as we move forward with the Tour by Bike and our new commuter cycling infrastructure investment. Of course, your input and collaboration is invaluable to this process. We are excited to keep working with you, and look forward to continuing to grow cycling in Ontario together. All our best, Original signed by Eleanor McMahon Minister                           Original signed by Steven Del Duca Minister Interested in trails as part of the network? Submit your comments here - EBR Registry Number:   013-0190 Trail Specialist Training Trails Specialist Workshop When: 30 May 2017 Where: Barrie Operations Centre - 165 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie, ON Will you be attending? Register Not attending Trails Specialist Workshop The two day workshop has been designed by professionals for all levels of trail builders and enthusiasts. You will receive instruction on how to observe, detect and document potential risk resulting from poor trail design, construction and maintenance. This workshop combines in classroom theory and hands-on experiences. Participants will come away with a valuable Trails Manual and will complete a written test on key elements of the course. This course will cover: Overview of Professional Trail Building The Science of Trail Building The Art of Trail Design and Construction Environmental Impacts Liability Issues Handwork and Trail Construction Techniques Dates: May 30 & 31, 2017 Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm both days Location:  In Class portion: Barrie Operations Center 165 Ferndale Drive North Barrie, ON L4N 9V9 Outdoor Practical Portion: Approx 5 mins away 277 Sunnidale Rd Barrie, ON L4N 5P1 See MapCourse Cost: OPA Member: $395.50 Potential Member: $621.50 Please note: A bagged lunch is required at this course  Participants are required to have a hard hat, safety glasses, closed toe footwear (CSA rating preferred), and gloves.  It is recommended that the participant brings with them the following equipment if possible: pin flags, clinometers, Pulaskis, Mcleods and/or any other trail building tools/equipment the organization, government agency or participant intends to use for trail design, building and maintenance. The idea behind having your own tools/equipment onsite is to allow the opportunity for it to be integrated into the course and suit the specific needs/wants and desires of the participants. This course is an Ontario Trails Council approved training program.                         Best regards, Ontario Parks Association and Ontario Trails Council OFTR Membership Required to Ride in Limerick Forest The end result will be that off-road motorcyclists riding in Limerick Forest this year will require an OFTR membership in addition to being quiet, licensed, and insured.  The new requirement for OFTR club membership will position the BMA to more actively manage and maintain (and possibly expand) the single track trail system in Limerick Forest for the benefit of all riders. The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville (UCLG), owner of the Limerick Forest, has agreed to work with organizations representing off road motorcycles and all terrain vehicles on the implementation of a two year pilot program for the development, use, and management of trails in Limerick Forest. The BMA, supported by the OFTR, and the Johnstown ATV Club, supported by the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicles (OFATV), are actively working with the Forest Manager to implement the program for the 2017 and 2018 riding seasons. MORE INFORMATION>>>>>>>>> Horse Day!   Horse Day was launched in Ontario 9 years ago as a way to give communities across Ontario the opportunity to peek into the horse world – to visit facilities, maybe watch a demonstration or two, and even get to touch a horse for the first time. This year, the OEF is putting all it’s energy into supporting our accredited riding facilities in running their own Horse Day events across the Province on Saturday, June 3, 2017! With over 150 OEF accredited riding facilities across Ontario, our goal is to ensure that there is a Horse Day venue accessible to anyone wishing to attend this fantastic, family event. We want to encourage facility and association members to reach out to each other to continue this amazing opportunity to showcase the breadth of our sport through these demonstrations that have been so popular. Horse Day is for everyone – embrace the opportunity to support your local equestrian community and the sport by attending a horse day event near you – hold a horse day event if you are an OEF accredited facility, or reach out to a participating facility to show off your unique horse or discipline. A list of participating Horse Day Host Facilities will be posted May 2017. For more information about Ontario Horse Day, please contact:  Brandon Hall at b.hall@horse.on.ca or  1-877-441-7112 ext. 30 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! 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