Oshawa author’s latest highlights Ontario trails
Posted on July 12, 2017 by
oshawaexpress in
News
By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express
Long before Ontario was covered with sprawling stretches of multi-lane highways, the Indigenous communities of the region had their own widespread transportation network.
In his new book,
The Legacy of Vanished Trails, Oshawa-based author Grant Karcich takes an in-depth look at the trails and portages that made up those networks.
According to Karcich, the book “extends the story” of his previous publication,
Scugog Carrying Place: A Frontier Pathway, by examining historical trails and portages, which helped to increase co-operation between Indigenous peoples and European settlers and provided pathways to undiscovered portions of what eventually became Ontario, in their ‘modern settings’.
“This book tries to answer questions such as ‘who were the First Nations people in Durham and how did the Indigenous communities north of Lake Ontario develop?'”, Karcich explains.
Karcich said there has been relatively little written about these trails and portages and he wanted to highlight their importance in the settlement of not only Durham Region, but the entire province, as he examines portages in areas such as Toronto, Peterborough and the Bay of Quinte.
“This book reveals new, never before released details about the beginnings of Ontario and how the ancient trails evolved into modern transportation routes,” Karcich says, adding, “These trails were essentially the 407 and 401 of the day.”
The book also includes photographs, maps and information on artefacts that have been discovered in the vicinity of these historical trails and portages.
Over the past 150 years, Karcich said the once bustling routes have “primarily been left abandoned” but “some bits and pieces” remain.
Karcich said he began writing
The Legacy of Vanished Trails about two years ago, and this time around, he went the self-publishing route, creating Red Handprint Press.
“Who knows I might be able to publish more books, there’s still a lot out there [to tell],” he says.
The Legacy of Vanished Trails is available online at redhandprint.ca and will also be on bookshelves in several locations.
Karcich will be hosting at book launch at CORE21, 21 Simcoe St. S. on June 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit grantkarcich.ca
High Lake Levels Impacting Beach
from Liz Thorne, windsordotcanews
High lake levels have caused significant erosion to the shoreline at Holiday Beach according to the Essex Region Conservation Authority, resulting in limited beachfront and in some cases, downed trees.
“We’ve experienced this type of erosion before when lake levels were high in 1986,” explains Tim Byrne, ERCA’s Director of Watershed Management Services. “Once lake levels recede, we do expect that natural processes will eventually allow the beach to be restored.”
“There are still many other wonderful experiences available at the conservation area,” notes Kevin Money, ERCA’s Director of Conservation Services. “Our hiking trails are open, fishing is available at our pond, guests always enjoy the Hawk Tower and many people come to picnic at our picnic area. Unfortunately, at this time, there is not much beachfront available to spread out a blanket or chairs. We are currently investigating options such as beach nourishment and other shoreline protection infrastructure in an effort to protect this area.”
Holiday Beach is open from dawn to dusk daily.
ERCA is an Ontario Trails Council Member Organization
July 11th, 2017 by
Mary Thomas
Belleville is hoping to get some major provincial funding for its bicycle lanes programs over the next few years.
The province has announced its Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program, a four-year cost-sharing funding system for cycling infrastructure.
City council has approved applying for the funding for its 2017 projects, which include Bridge Street West connecting Loyalist College to the downtown, the Northeast Industrial Park extension, and the Station Street – Haig Road extension.
The 2o17 plan also calls for 3.6 kilometres of lanes on Bridge Street East and a designated biking route east of the Moira River.
If the application for the $3.3 million worth of work is successful, it would mean the city would only have to pay $710,000, with the province picking up the remaining $2.6 million.
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RFP for Non-Motorized Trail Pan for North Hastings Released.
Dear Recipients,
We are pleased to attach our RFP for the development of a Non Motorized Master Trail Plan for North Hastings. Please share with your networks and contacts as required.
Having had discussions with you over the past year, we wanted you to have an opportunity to provide your response for this initiative.
The North Hastings Municipalities are collaborating on the development of a network of Non-Motorized Trails (NMTs) throughout the region as a means to better address their residents’ desire to improve opportunities for active, non-motorized outdoor recreation as a means for community health and economic development. To accomplish this vision, they are working under the authority of the NHEDC to undertake several initiatives, the most important of which is the development of the North Hastings NMTMP to guide municipal decisions concerning the long-term governance, management, sustainability and administrative practices of NMTs throughout the region. The NMTMP will provide North Hastings Municipalities with clear direction decision-making with regards to the planning, construction and management NMT infrastructure. This project is dependent on the success of obtaining a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Note SEED submission to OTF submitted February 21, 2017.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Cathy Trimble
North Hastings Economic Development Committee
Support Trails - Order your ball caps, mugs or OTC Shirt now! Quantities are limited.
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News Release
July 12, 2017
Outlet Beach in Sandbanks Recognized as Clean, Safe and Accessible Through Blue Flag Designation
Outlet Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park has received Blue Flag designation, an international eco-certification recognizing the beach as clean and accessible with great water quality, high safety standards and excellent shoreline and ecosystem protection.
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Kathryn McGarry was at Outlet Beach today to raise the flag and celebrate this award along with Ontario Parks staff.
To receive a Blue Flag, beaches and marinas must meet high international standards in four categories: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.
Sandbanks Provincial Park is one of Ontario's busiest provincial parks and, along with its amazing beaches, offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, including:
- Camping on one of the more than 600 campsites including waterfront camping, tenting sites or trailer sites with electrical hook up.
- Swimming, fishing, boating and a Visitor Centre with educational displays.
- Hiking through multiple trails, including the accessible Sandbanks Dune Trail home to the largest dune system of its kind in the world, and rare wetland habitat that supports wildlife and unusual flora.
- Canoeing the Outlet River and exploring its marsh habitat.
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Ontario Trails Council supported Friends of Sandbanks Provincial Park enabling two significant trail projects to occur through the National Trails Coalition Program in 2009-11, and 2014-16.
Congratulations!
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Trailhead North 2018 - Sault Ste. Marie
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
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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!
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