Showing posts with label biking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biking. Show all posts

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Ontario Trails News - Trailwise - June 22, 2017

photo from Ontario parks blog
• Trailhead Events • Books, Maps, Mugs and Tees
  • Donate to Trails Today! • Member News • Activity Updates 
Ontario Place Trail Opening - 
Ontario Trails Council received an invite from the Office of the Premier to attend the opening of the William Davis Trail at Ontario Place June 19, 2017.


Jack de Wit, President, Dan Andrews Secretary Treasurer, Joey Schwartz of the Toronto Bicycling Network and a proponent of the Toronto Trails Committee development and Patrick Connor attended on behalf of the Ontario Trails Council.



It's important to attend these developments as it represents a local chance for many of the public to learn about trails. ALready signed as part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, OTC Member GLWT Marlaine Keohelr and David Crombie also attended. The Premier and the Minister spoke from the podium. As did Mississauga's of the Credit.



One of the most important interactions for the OTC took place on the way out where we had a chance to talk with Chief Reg Niganobe and with Elise King who is working with Terri Hamilton at Credit Valley Conservation on the Credit Valley Heritage Water Trail. Our discussion centred around funding and mutual support.



Ontario Trails Council looks forward to assisting this first nation on any way we can.



OTC reinforced to the Minister, the value it places on the expert staff of MTCS and the processes we have put into place. OTC also reinforced with Minister's office staff our desire to meet with the Minister and as an organization working throughout Ontario - the OTC will go to any announcement or any trail opening in support of the OTS, Bill 100 and the Trails Action Plan.




A Quick Guide to Trail Risk Management from Cowan Insurance


On June 19th representatives from OTC met with Cowan Insurance, one of Canada's largest municipal underwriters and insurance brokers to discuss ties to the education and risk management programs OTC provides. OTC programs and recommendations mirror or duplicate the very recommendations tha Cowan makes to it's policy holders.

So we discussed partnership and synergies. The content is correct, we are both educating and we want more principle in practice. We reached an agreement in principle to work together better for trail safety, and an understanding of why trail safety and product integrity is so important - especially when encouraging use.



OTC staff will be meeting with Cowan trail auditors, and with the OGRA and roads product assessors to determine next steps to enact an Ontario Good Trails Program. We look forward to this industry and trail sector collaboration. It should also be noted that there will be parallel supportive practices arising from the ongoing Ontario Trail Strategy - Ontario Trail Action Plan trails classification program currently in development with the classification expert panel.

For more information on trails standards and practices see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/learn/standards-and-practices


Support Trails - Order your ball caps, mugs or OTC Shirt now! Quantities are limited.

otc books, maps, hats and tees


City of Toronto Public Meeting

nature in the city
Please share this notice through your networks to people who may be interested in this project.

The City of Toronto and Councillor Neethan Shan, Ward 42, will host a meeting to discuss the progress of the Beare Hill Park Detailed Design Project. Please join us:

Date:                        Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Time:                        6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location:                 Malvern Community Recreation Centre, Community Room, 30 Sewells Road

Where is the Beare Hill Park site?
The Beare Hill Park site is located in Scarborough (see map attached), south of Beare Road.  This site is bounded by Finch Avenue East to the north, the Toronto/Pickering town line to the east, a CN Rail corridor to the west and a hydro corridor to the south. The proposed Beare Hill Park site is adjacent to the Rouge National Urban Park and the Toronto Zoo.

What’s this meeting about?
You are invited to attend the meeting to:
  • Review the changes proposed,
  • Provide comments and input, and 
  • Discuss next steps.
Background
The community was previously engaged to participate in three public meetings that led to the development of the Beare Road (now Hill) Park Master Plan in 2013.  This detailed design project involves the preparation of detailed studies and designs that will be used to tender the construction of the park.  The park design reflects the Master Plan, however, there have been some minor changes that the City is looking for input on.

For more information about Beare Hill Park please visit: http://bit.ly/BeareHillPark.

Karen Sun
Natural Environment Specialist (Acting)

Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Natural Environment & Community Programs
City of Toronto
550 Bayview Ave. Bldg 12, Suite 406, Toronto, ON M4W3X8
416.392.1033 | F 416.338.1069 | karen.sun@toronto.ca


Ontario Trails All Year Long! 

Add an Ontario Trail Logo to your website! 

Ontario Trails WeekOntario Trail DayOntario Trail Count
Watch for it on our social media, our facebook page and in 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)

elliot lake trails survey


4. Add your trail user survey to any of your trail pages - we've made one for 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!
 ontariotrails.ca/A2ATrail
ontariotrails.ca/ABCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/AlgomaDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/AlgonquinHighlandsTrails
ontariotrails.ca/AvonTrail
ontariotrails.ca/BarrieTrails
ontariotrails.ca/BellevilleTrails
ontariotrails.ca/BrockvilleTrails
ontariotrails.ca/BruceCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/BruceTrail
ontariotrails.ca/BurlingtonTrails
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CambridgetoParisRailTrail
ontariotrails.ca/CaledonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CambridgeTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CCCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/ChathamKentTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CKTCTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ClaringtonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CLOCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/CochraneDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CollingwoodTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ConservationHaltonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ConservationSudburyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CornwallTrails
ontariotrails.ca/CRCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/CVCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/DiscoveryRoutesTrails
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DistilleryLaneTrail
ontariotrails.ca/DrydenTrails
ontariotrails.ca/DufferinCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/DurhamMountainBikeTrails
ontariotrails.ca/DurhamRegionTrails
ontariotrails.ca/EaglesNestTrail
ontariotrails.ca/EastGwillimburyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ElginCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ElliotLakeTrails
ontariotrails.ca/EscarpmentBiosphereTrails
ontariotrails.ca/EskakwaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/EssexCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ExplorersEdgeTrails
ontariotrails.ca/FABRTrails
ontariotrails.ca/FOSMTrails
ontariotrails.ca/FrenchRiverTrails
ontariotrails.ca/FrontenacCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/G2GTrail
ontariotrails.ca/GananoqueTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GanaraskaForestTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GananoqueTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GBTCTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GeorgianBayTownshipTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GeorgianBayTownshipTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GeorgianSkiCycleTrails
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GordonGlavesTrail
ontariotrails.ca/GravenhurstTrails
ontariotrails.ca/GreyCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HaldimandCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HaliburtonCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HaltonHillsTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HaltonRegionTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HamiltonTrailsSurvey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HamiltontoBrantfordRailTrail
ontariotrails.ca/HastingsCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HBTCTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/HCIATrails
ontariotrails.ca/HearstTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HikeOntarioTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HorseCountryCampgroundTrails
ontariotrails.ca/HuronCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/KawarthaATVTrails
ontariotrails.ca/KawarthaLakesTrails
ontariotrails.ca/KenoraDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/KolaporeTrails
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LakeErieandNorthernRailTrail
ontariotrails.ca/LakeheadRegionCA
ontariotrails.ca/LambtonCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/LanarkCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/LeedsandGrenvilleCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/LennoxandAddingtonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/LondonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/LSRCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/LTVCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/ManitoulinDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MarathonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MattawaBonfieldTrails
ontariotrails.ca/McMasterUTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MiddlesexCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MississippiMillsCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/MoonbeamTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MuskokaDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/MuskokaRTCTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NBCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/NiagaraFallsTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NiagaraPC
ontariotrails.ca/NiagaraRegionTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NipigonTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NipissingDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NorthDumfriesTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NorthumberlandCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NorthumberlandForestTrails
ontariotrails.ca/NPCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/OakvilleTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OF4WD
ontariotrails.ca/OFATVTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OFSCTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OFTRTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OntarioNature
ontariotrails.ca/OrilliaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OshawaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/otra
ontariotrails.ca/OttawaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/OxfordCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ParrySoundDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PeelRegionTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PenetanguisheneTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PerthCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PeterboroughCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PeterboroughTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PetewawaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/PrinceEdwardCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/QuinteCA
ontariotrails.ca/RainyRiverDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/RedLake
ontariotrails.ca/RenfrewCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/RideauValleyCA
ontariotrails.ca/RRATrails
ontariotrails.ca/SarniaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/SaugeenShores
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCJohnsonTrail
ontariotrails.ca/SimcoeCountyTrailsSurvey
ontariotrails.ca/SNCATrails
https://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/SentierPRfr
ontariotrails.ca/SentierPrescottRussell
ontariotrails.ca/SRTATrails
ontariotrails.ca/StCatharinesTrail
ontariotrails.ca/StLawrenceParks
ontariotrails.ca/StormontGlengarryDundasTrails
ontariotrails.ca/StThomasTrail
ontariotrails.ca/SudburyDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TCTOTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TemiskamingDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TemiskamingShoresTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ThunderBayDistrictTrails
ontariotrails.ca/ThunderBayNordicTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TorontoTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TownshipMadawaskaValleyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TownshipofGeorginaTrails
ontariotrails.ca/TRCATrails
ontariotrails.ca/UpperGrandTrailwayAssociation
ontariotrails.ca/UxbridgeTrails
ontariotrails.ca/VaughanTrails
ontariotrails.ca/WaterfrontTrustTrail
ontariotrails.ca/WaterlooRegionTrails
ontariotrails.ca/WellingtonCountyTrails
ontariotrails.ca/WellingtonTS
ontariotrails.ca/WindsorTrails
ontariotrails.ca/YorkRegionalForest
ontariotrails.ca/YorkTrailsSurvey
ontariotrails.ca/YoursOutdoors

5. Send us your Trails video - we'll be posting content on-line at https://goo.gl/Fy2bIL and we'd be happy to add to our trails tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/ontrailsMissing? You may want to talk to us about OTC Membership. 613-484-1140 We'd be happy to connect with you.


News And Events 
Trailhead North 2018 - Sault Ste. Marie


Home

In Spring of 2018 trail enthusiasts and supporters are headed to Sault Ste Marie for two days of meetings and lively discussion about all types of trails.
Our hosts invite you to join us to hear stories from wood and river, hill and valley. We will be talking about the great adventures we share and how to get more folks to love the outdoors the way we do.
April 26, 27th (at least) 2018

REGISTRATION COMING SOON



Protect the Grand Trunk Trail - please sign the petitionprotect the st mary's trail


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.

value of trail survey 2017

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 Canada - Date Change and Program Outlinetrailhead canada program outline
https://trailheadcanada.com/program-outline/


Membership Renewals - Thank-you for your Support!We wish to thank the organizations that have already renewed for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your support. Many thanks!

Join

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Ontario Trails News - Brantford Skills Park supports safer off road riding!

Find your favorite today!

Cycling club onside with bike skills park

Brant News
The Brant Cycling Club has a lot of wheels in motion.
In a little over one year since it was formed last April, the non-profit club has grown to about 50 members, expanded its weekly road and trail rides, started a kids mountain bike camp, got involved in holding a major fundraiser for mental health and taken on advocacy for the development of a skills bike park in Brantford.
City councillor Rick Weaver, the newly minted vice president of the Brant Cycling Club (BCC), is chairing the task force looking into building a skills bike park in one of three city parks: Earl Haig, Waterworks and Rivergreen.
“Other cities that have done these have found they’ve become a family attraction,” he said in a weekend interview.
Toronto’s bike skills park, visible from the Gardiner Expressway near Sunnyside Avenue, cost $500,000 to build.
“That’s kind of the Cadillac of bike parks,” Weaver said.
“A scaled-down version is what we want,” he added.
The specially designed park would help develop cycling skills in kids.
Weaver said features he would like to see included would be “jump lines” (a series of jumps and a “pump track” (a hilly, banked track that allows riders to maintain momentum without pedalling).
The park would also be suitable for skateboards and scooters.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Ontario Trail News - Ontario Trail Counts and Hamilton Trail Survey

Learn more about your trails - Trail Counts



Trail Counts
Ever wondered who is using your trail and when? Looking for more than just a static count of trail activity? Tell others about what type of person is using your trail, what makes your trail a popular destination...and more!

We have your answer.

Utilizing smartphone technology trail users can now complete a short survey that:
Logs in the trip
Single counts individual users
Consolidates results for centralized reporting
Consultation on survey content.
We ask your questions - the facility manager asks what they want to know!
Allows for separate trail counting
Multi-season operation
24/7collection
Identifies quality of trail experiences
Provides you feedback loop
____________________________________


Year-long trail survey tracks walks in the park

Hamilton Spectator
Joggers, bikers and even parents pushing baby strollers shouldn't be surprised if someone with a clipboard asks them why they're using Hamilton nature trails.
Throughout the next year, impromptu questionnaires are one of the ways the Hamilton Burlington Trails Council (HBTC) and McMaster University are completing one of the most extensive trail surveys ever conducted in Ontario.
The joint initiative launched on Thursday will use online surveys and up to 36 volunteers to survey trail users on the flyto find out who's walking the trails, how they get around and where and why they're choosing the paths they are on.
The goal is to find out if certain paths could be linked, what trails are most popular and which need attention. In Hamilton, there are more than 130 kilometres of nature trails.
"The City of Hamilton has a lot of trail head counts, but we don't know who they are. Are they on bikes? Are they walking with dogs? Do they live nearby? Do they come here often?" said Wayne Terryberry, HBTC chair and McMaster University Outdoor Recreation co-ordinator.
"What can we use to make the trail experience better? We want to get definite data in different seasons — an annual time table."
The data along with information from community partners like Hamilton Conservation Authority and the Royal Botanical Gardens will go toward building a comprehensive trail map.
"We have 13 survey locations through Hamilton and Burlington and they are going to be surveyed by volunteers, and at each survey there will be a manual head count of people passing by," survey co-ordinator Alex Farquharson said.
Matthew Brodka of McMaster University Outdoor Recreation said one of the challenges facing the study is weather.
"Especially if it's a year-long thing, but we have a passionate group of volunteers who are passionate about the trail system."
Ward 1 Coun. Aidan Johnson said the survey data can have a broader impact on people.
"The more people who use and see nature, the more people who'll want more effective environmental policies and more biodiversity protection," he said.
People interested in helping as volunteers for the project throughout the year are encouraged to visit the Hamilton Burlington Trail website, http://hamiltonburlingtontrails.ca/.
905-526-3434

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ontario Trails News - find your favorite Eastern Ontario trail, and fun on the trails with EOTA

Find your favourite Eastern Ontario Trail

Family Day fun on the trails

Central Hastings News
By Brett Mann 
“It’s a very good deal, a chance to try it out for free if you haven’t before,” says Cindy Cassidy, general manager of the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance. Ms. Cassidy is referring to the chance to use the trail system for free on Family Day, an opportunity eagerly seized by local snowmobilers. Season snowmobile passes can cost up to $260 says Cassidy, noting that the trails are used year round for hiking, cycling, ATV use and even dog-sledding.
“The fees depend on when they purchase it [the trail pass] and they are cheaper before November 1.”
The local network of trails extends from the Bay of Quinte to Algonquin Park and attracts 25,000 visitors annually “for the whole region we cover,” Cassidy reports. The trails generate $6 million in spending each year, the organization estimates. The trail project began in 1997 with a steering committee representing the Hastings, Quinte and Land O’ Lakes regions and became the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) in 1998. The group is incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization.
As well as managing the trails themselves. EOTA provides maps and listings of accommodations and lodgings along the trails. Larry Palmateer grooms the snow on the trails and reports that traffic on Family Day morning was low, likely because of the extremely cold temperatures.
“There was a lot going into Tweed yesterday. Coming into Madoc today I saw only two snowmobiles but Riley [another groomer] the other day quit counting after 45. Last year I would say there was at least a ten per cent increase in traffic on Family Day,” says Palmateer adding that last year was the first time one could obtain a trail permit on-line. He is relieved to see the significant snowfalls rider have been waiting for.
“People were getting pretty antsy in December and January when there was no snow. This year there’s been a lot of later permits,” he observes. “The big thing is snow for Christmas and New Year’s. That really affects sales of permits and snowmobiles and equipment.”
By early afternoon on Family Day the groups of snowmobiles passing through Tweed on the trail were becoming more numerous.
“If it warms up they’ll be just like bumble bees,” Palmateer predicted.