Ontario Trails Council - become a friend of trails today!

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Trail Heros Know somebody that works hard on trails? If so nominate them to be an Ontario Trails "Trail Hero!" We'd be happy to review your recommendations and acknowledge in a small way their contribution to trails in your community. Trail Blog Every day trails are news! Every day we blog about trails. In communities all over Ontario trails are big news, for cyclists, runners, canoe or horses, every day we capture in one spot all the trail news - local, provincial or national! Join today! Trail Leaders! Become a trail development leader. Join Ontario's first ever series of 14 trail education courses in the development and management of trails. Designed for both volunteers and professionals. Next On-line Course begins February 3rd. Topic - Trail Planning. Register today - registration is open 24/7   Join OTC The Ontario Trails Council is a nonprofit charitable organziation, established in 1988, that promotes the development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails. With over 130 organizational members and 25 individual supporters the OTC continues to grow! Support trails in Ontario - join the OTC Learn an Activity Our website contains information on over 2,600 trails, and a description for nearly 2,000. Learn about the places where you can bike, cross country ski, climb or any of another 15 activities. We are linked to over 130 organizations and a variety of provincial groups that can help you learn an activity or become better at one you already love!   Add Your Event We post trail or outdoor events on trail specific facebook pages, the main OTC facebook page, and the event section of the OTC website. You can send us your event and we'll post it to these extensive networks. Each week we reach over 20,000 people, so if you want your event known, a bit better, send us the information. Add/Edit Trails An important part of the Refreshed OTC Web site will be a dynamic page dedicated to each trail. It is important that you give us as much information as possible - this will be the only source for creating your dedicated page on the OTC Web site. If we don't get the information from you, it won't make it onto the site. If you have any questions about the form, please contact Patrick at 613-484-1140. Thank you for taking the time to add or edit your trail on the Ontario Trails Council Web site.   Be a Friend of Trails We invite all trail users to support the work of the Ontario Trails Council. As a registered charity we do our community work based on the support of member organziations, individuals and some government grants. We do the work, in the end for the individual families and folks that use the trails every day. Please consider supporting us as your thanks for your trails. Thank you.

Ontario Trail News - Niagara Trails a success

Ontario Trails Hero: Tracy-Lynn Bell



Sorry Quad Niagara - trail heroes are locally nominated so I will just publish part of your letter as it is the reason we are naming Tracy Lynn Bell an Ontario Trails Hero.

Reading your newsletter and coming across the section of Trail Hero's is why we are writing to you. On our board of directors is someone who was nothing but a fire ball in a room full of mostly men. Her dreams and hopes of having a legal ATV trail in the Niagara Region was well known and very clear.

She became President of the club shortly after it opened and she still remains the President till this day. Her dreams just become bigger every time you spoke with her, her vision was incredible. She would take on the world of trails if she had to. 

With being in the Niagara Region ATV riding was a no go. She fought endless hours, years for this to happen. Years of trying to get the club out in the public eye so that people knew that atv'ing was not a bad sport and that a lot of families did it together.

Six years down the road as a volunteer she spent more time working on trail proposals and attending meeting then she did at her own job half the time. 

Last year there was an issue down here with the East side trail and I am sure you know all about it for at one meeting we recall her coming in and saying OK Quad Niagara we need to become part of Niagara Trails, a mutli user group.

She become vice president of OFATV, along with sitting on many different board pertaining to trails holding a high position, she is the President of Niagara Trails and Vice-Chair of the Circle Route. Her name is now all over the region and they are finally listening to her.
 
After all this hard work she has managed to get the Port Colborne side of the East side trail. She is a mother of two young girls which have been a part of this club since the beginning, she owns her OWN BUSINESS and works part time at another local business.

She followed a dream that she had seen with the support of the club. But in all honesty we as a club do not feel she is recognized for all the hard work she has put into this trail system.

Getting a multi-use trail here in the Niagara Region is a VERY VERY big accomplishment and this is why we felt she should be recognized for all the hard work she does. We are sure you probably could add more to this letter for we do know she speaks with you often and you know her fairly well. That's why we feel the way we do. 
 

Ontario Trail News - candidates respond to Ontario Trails election questions

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into the Ontario Provincial election we are often asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. This year we crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates.

We have forwarded these to the leaders of the 4 major parties. Today we received a response from the Premier, Kathleen Wynne. 

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what.

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. In fact today PC party ads are running, through the google ad distribution system on the OTC website.

Ontario Trails News - we like trails

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into vote in the Ontario Provincial election we have been asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. We crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates. We have received official responses from the Liberals and NDP.  Responses at end of questions.

OUTDOORS -  If elected, what types of improvements would your government continue to make in the outdoor development sector?

• ACTIVE LIVING -  How would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to promote trail use?

• ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION -  Would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to develop a layer of inter-connected trails to rails, trails to bus, trails to trains as advocated by individual trail uses, at the provincial level so that all Ontarians would value know of this inter-connectivity?

• PROVINCIAL MATCHING FUNDING -  Would your government create a dedicated trail infrastructure development fund that could be managed by voluntary sector leaders?

• POLICY COORDINATION -  If elected would you and your lead Ministry for trails make a commitment to ensure that the OTCC meets monthly to manage the affairs of trails?

• BUSINESS COSTS - Would your government consider a fund to support the costs or trail litigation, (as they have in Nova Scotia), or the tort (such as the 2009 National Trails Act in the USA) – for trail groups, trail operators and land managers that promote the public good through trail activity?

• TRAIL JOBS -  Would your government work with the OTC to ensure that each RTO promotes trails through a joint trail promotion program so that this trail economy could be expanded and developed throughout the whole of Ontario?

• PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT -  How would your government work to ensure the OTMPC and other government department’s engaged Ontario Trail leaders in developing destination marketing with world-class trail tourism products as a result?

• WORLD CLASS EVENTS -  Do you see an opportunity going forward to promote more trail events in more places through OTC/Ontario/Private sector partnerships?

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what. We did receive two responses from the Liberals and NDP.

NDP response: http://bit.ly/NDPresponsetoOTC
Liberal response: http://bit.ly/LiberalresponsetoOTC

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. 

Ontario Trail News - trails are important, are they important to your elected officials?

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into vote in the Ontario Provincial election we have been asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. We crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates. We have received official responses from the Liberals and NDP.  Responses at end of questions.

OUTDOORS -  If elected, what types of improvements would your government continue to make in the outdoor development sector?

• ACTIVE LIVING -  How would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to promote trail use?

• ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION -  Would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to develop a layer of inter-connected trails to rails, trails to bus, trails to trains as advocated by individual trail uses, at the provincial level so that all Ontarians would value know of this inter-connectivity?

• PROVINCIAL MATCHING FUNDING -  Would your government create a dedicated trail infrastructure development fund that could be managed by voluntary sector leaders?

• POLICY COORDINATION -  If elected would you and your lead Ministry for trails make a commitment to ensure that the OTCC meets monthly to manage the affairs of trails?

• BUSINESS COSTS - Would your government consider a fund to support the costs or trail litigation, (as they have in Nova Scotia), or the tort (such as the 2009 National Trails Act in the USA) – for trail groups, trail operators and land managers that promote the public good through trail activity?

• TRAIL JOBS -  Would your government work with the OTC to ensure that each RTO promotes trails through a joint trail promotion program so that this trail economy could be expanded and developed throughout the whole of Ontario?

• PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT -  How would your government work to ensure the OTMPC and other government department’s engaged Ontario Trail leaders in developing destination marketing with world-class trail tourism products as a result?

• WORLD CLASS EVENTS -  Do you see an opportunity going forward to promote more trail events in more places through OTC/Ontario/Private sector partnerships?

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what. We did receive two responses from the Liberals and NDP.

NDP response: http://bit.ly/NDPresponsetoOTC
Liberal response: http://bit.ly/LiberalresponsetoOTC

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. 

Ontario Trails News - make trails your candidate's election issue.

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into vote in the Ontario Provincial election we have been asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. We crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates. We have received official responses from the Liberals and NDP.  Responses at end of questions.

OUTDOORS -  If elected, what types of improvements would your government continue to make in the outdoor development sector?

• ACTIVE LIVING -  How would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to promote trail use?

• ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION -  Would you and your government work with the Ontario Trails Council to develop a layer of inter-connected trails to rails, trails to bus, trails to trains as advocated by individual trail uses, at the provincial level so that all Ontarians would value know of this inter-connectivity?

• PROVINCIAL MATCHING FUNDING -  Would your government create a dedicated trail infrastructure development fund that could be managed by voluntary sector leaders?

• POLICY COORDINATION -  If elected would you and your lead Ministry for trails make a commitment to ensure that the OTCC meets monthly to manage the affairs of trails?

• BUSINESS COSTS - Would your government consider a fund to support the costs or trail litigation, (as they have in Nova Scotia), or the tort (such as the 2009 National Trails Act in the USA) – for trail groups, trail operators and land managers that promote the public good through trail activity?

• TRAIL JOBS -  Would your government work with the OTC to ensure that each RTO promotes trails through a joint trail promotion program so that this trail economy could be expanded and developed throughout the whole of Ontario?

• PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT -  How would your government work to ensure the OTMPC and other government department’s engaged Ontario Trail leaders in developing destination marketing with world-class trail tourism products as a result?

• WORLD CLASS EVENTS -  Do you see an opportunity going forward to promote more trail events in more places through OTC/Ontario/Private sector partnerships?

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what. We did receive two responses from the Liberals and NDP.

NDP response: http://bit.ly/NDPresponsetoOTC
Liberal response: http://bit.ly/LiberalresponsetoOTC

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. 

Ontario Trails News - support our work in your community, support Ontario Trails

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Trail Heros Know somebody that works hard on trails? If so nominate them to be an Ontario Trails "Trail Hero!" We'd be happy to review your recommendations and acknowledge in a small way their contribution to trails in your community. Trail Blog Every day trails are news! Every day we blog about trails. In communities all over Ontario trails are big news, for cyclists, runners, canoe or horses, every day we capture in one spot all the trail news - local, provincial or national! Join today! Trail Leaders! Become a trail development leader. Join Ontario's first ever series of 14 trail education courses in the development and management of trails. Designed for both volunteers and professionals. Next On-line Course begins February 3rd. Topic - Trail Planning. Register today - registration is open 24/7   Join OTC The Ontario Trails Council is a nonprofit charitable organziation, established in 1988, that promotes the development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails. With over 130 organizational members and 25 individual supporters the OTC continues to grow! Support trails in Ontario - join the OTC Learn an Activity Our website contains information on over 2,600 trails, and a description for nearly 2,000. Learn about the places where you can bike, cross country ski, climb or any of another 15 activities. We are linked to over 130 organizations and a variety of provincial groups that can help you learn an activity or become better at one you already love!   Add Your Event We post trail or outdoor events on trail specific facebook pages, the main OTC facebook page, and the event section of the OTC website. You can send us your event and we'll post it to these extensive networks. Each week we reach over 20,000 people, so if you want your event known, a bit better, send us the information. Add/Edit Trails An important part of the Refreshed OTC Web site will be a dynamic page dedicated to each trail. It is important that you give us as much information as possible - this will be the only source for creating your dedicated page on the OTC Web site. If we don't get the information from you, it won't make it onto the site. If you have any questions about the form, please contact Patrick at 613-484-1140. Thank you for taking the time to add or edit your trail on the Ontario Trails Council Web site.   Be a Friend of Trails We invite all trail users to support the work of the Ontario Trails Council. As a registered charity we do our community work based on the support of member organziations, individuals and some government grants. We do the work, in the end for the individual families and folks that use the trails every day. Please consider supporting us as your thanks for your trails. Thank you.

Ontario Trail News - ask your candidate if they share these views on trails.

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into the Ontario Provincial election we are often asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. This year we crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates.

We have forwarded these to the leaders of the 4 major parties. Today we received a response from the Premier, Kathleen Wynne. 

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what.

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. In fact today PC party ads are running, through the google ad distribution system on the OTC website.

Ontario Trail News - information about 2600 Ontario Trails and the people that support them

East Don Trail Study - input sought

Project Update – May 2014 www.toronto.ca/eastdontrail

Highlights of Work Completed

 
Since March 2013, fieldwork has been taking place in the study area.  The project team was planning to have all work completed this spring, however with a long and snowy winter survey crews experienced some difficulty getting to the site. The goal now is to complete field work:
·        topographical surveys and tree inventory in June; and
·        geotechnical surveys later this year.
Within the study area you may continue to see temporary orange painted markings and/or stakes in the ground. These markings will remain in place until the design work for the study has been completed.

Before selecting a preferred trail alignment for the next round of public consultation, the project team addressed requests from different stakeholders for a review of additional trail alignments in:

• Area 1 (north end of the study area near Charles Sauriol Conservation Area);
• Area 2 (middle of study near the Gatineau Hydro Corridor and Flemingdon Park Golf Club).

The requests were variations of trail alignments presented at the second public meeting last September. Given some of the concerns about impacts to either private property or the natural environment, the project team evaluated these additional trail alignments. The evaluation involved consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee, Community Liaison Committee, and key stakeholders. A preferred trail alignment has been chosen to move forward to the next study phase and public consultation. Visit the East Don Trail Community Liaison Committee webpage under Meeting #5 for a complete list of trail alignments considered.
 
Next Opportunity for Public Input June 24
 
Design concepts for the preferred trail alignment will be presented at the next public event on June 24, 2013. Design concepts will show the physical features (e.g. slope) and potential impacts (e.g. trees) of the trail. Join us to learn more, speak with members of the project team, and be part of the conversation to select the best options for the preferred trail alignment.
 
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Drop-in: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Presentation: 6:30 PM
Location: Victoria Park Hub, 1527 Victoria Park Avenue (Victoria Park Ave. and Eglinton Ave. East)
 
Thank you again for your interest in the East Don Trail Study.
 

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We Welcome Returning Members!

Thanks Waterfront Regeneration Trail, Frontenac County and Chatham Kent County for honouring your membership commitment.

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Rain Barrel Event Supports Water Trails
 

Hi, Help support the 10th Annual Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Childrens Water Festival in September 2014.

 

Order your rain barrels at the following, tell your family, friends, colleagues, community organizations.  Pickup sale day is Sat. July 5th 9am - 12 noon at 12750 Hwy 35 beside Kawartha Dairy, Minden.

 

http://rainbarrelcanada.com/2014/07/feel/

     

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Trails Education News









NEXT COURSE - JUNE  2014

Ontario Trails Council - The current Premier responds in advance of election

Ontario Trails asks Leaders and Candidates to Respond

As we head into the Ontario Provincial election we are often asked by our membership to make sure trail issues are valued by candidates. This year we crafted 9 questions that you may use with your own candidates.

We have forwarded these to the leaders of the 4 major parties. Today we received a response from the Premier, Kathleen Wynne. 

As you receive local responses please send your answers to the OTC and we'll keep a record of who said what.

Also at OTC we are party neutral, these questions have been provided to all candidates and the leaders of the 4 main political parties. In fact today PC party ads are running, through the google ad distributiion system on hte OTC website.

Ontario Trails News - updates from Ontario Trail places, Lambton Shores, Durham and more

Ontario Trails Council Website Refresh - some hints

Due to recent upgrades to the OTC website you can now comment on the trail you are using. That message now gets sent directly to the OTC.


Use the social media function on the trail page to send us your message. When you comment we get an alert.



We hope this improves awareness and trail conditions in Ontario through better communication.
 

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Tourism Industry in Consultation!

A 5 yr Review of the Sorbara Report

REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (“TIAO) is pleased to announce a province-wide consultation process that will result in a status update on the tourism competitiveness study: “Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourism.” The report, released in the spring of 2009, contained four broad strategies and twenty specific recommendations to rejuvenate the industry.
One of the twenty recommendations identified in the report was the need for a single tourism industry association....a recommendation fulfilled by TIAO, which is now recognized as the umbrella trade association in Ontario. Given this role, the Ministry asked TIAO to lead this important consultation process which has been dubbed “TIAO Listens” in order to clearly communicate the primary objective: obtaining industry feedback.
TIAO has engaged HLT Advisory to assist with the facilitation process that will seek input in a variety of ways. Fifteen consultation sessions are planned across the province starting in early May and concluding in mid June.

http://www.tiaontario.ca/tiaolistens
http://www.tiaontario.ca/controls/calendar/calendar.aspx?ID=2

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OFATV Wraps Up AGM 2014

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Durham Economic Development and Sport Function

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We Welcome Lambton-Shores to the Ontario Trails Community