Media Advisory/Winter Celebration: A Family Event not to be Missed

"OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 28, 2011) - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston invite families and outdoor enthusiasts to participate in the Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall, this Saturday, January 29, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This public event is a great opportunity for everyone to get active and experience Nordic sports and traditions."

Randonneurs get head start - Tillsonburg News - Ontario, CA

"A group of dedicated randonneurs will be riding out of Tillsonburg Saturday morning.

But Tillsonburg's Glen Steen – who officially retired today – won't be with them on his bike.

' I tore my hamstring three weeks ago cross-country skiing,' said Steen. 'I can't do the bike ride, but there's several people coming to do it.'

Steen had organized a Frosty 200 on the 29th for Randonneurs Ontario, Huron Branch, who will be able to get a head start on the 2011 brevet series of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km rides, which qualifies them for a 1,200 km brevet."

Regional Tourism Organizations - Meetings?

Anybody know of Regional Tourism Organization meetings in your area? Discussing trails tourism, developing tour strategies, working on infrastructure, trail product? Etc. If you are aware and have a phone number for the local Director of the RTO culd you send it to OTC? Thanks

Hiking Buddies on Snowshoes

Hiking Buddies on Snowshoes! This I have to see Snowshoeing at Enniskllin Snowshoes rentals are $4, you can bring your own or rent a pair. FORTY pairs of snowshoes are available for rent, those bringing your own, thank you for posting that as this event is really filling up. Rentals will be offered to the earliest sign ups first...winter hiking and skating will also be available as a morning option and snow shoes can be rented in the afternoon for those that didn't have a chance in the morning. The NEW yearly membership of $20 is payable prior to the event.

Connections: Strategic planning for a County-wide trails network - Bradford Times - Ontario, CA

"An estimated 32% of adults over the age of 18 in Simcoe County are overweight, 21% are obese - and a sedentary lifestyle is the chief culprit. Inactivity costs the health care system in the County an estimated $5.1 billion per year.

Encouraging 'Active Transportation' - walking, running, cycling, skiing, skateboarding - is part of the County's strategy to promote healthy lifestyles - and a connected trail system is a key component of that strategy. Trails are also an economic driver, attracting tourism dollars, providing environmental benefits and educational opportunities."

Ontario's Simcoe County Trails

TVO.ORG | Greenbelt Adventure - Dog Sledding

"Dog Sledding: A young boy rides a dog sled for the first time in Ontario's Greenbelt."

Ontario's Dog Sled Trails

InsideHalton Article: Getting children outdoors primary goal of new RBG Growing up Green initiative

"The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is launching a new initiative to bring awareness to the health problems children face by spending too much time indoors.

Growing up Green, set to launch tomorrow (Friday), is an RBG fundraising initiative focusing on health, education and environmental sustainability for children in Ontario.

With close to $750,000 in initial support from groups such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation, RBG says it will work with private and public sector partners to provide educational programming, access to outdoor activities and increased green space."

MyKawartha Article: $7 M water pledge announced

"The province is providing $7 million this year to help property owners, farmers and small and medium-sized business owners protect municipal drinking water sources.
Environment Minister John Wilkinson made the announcement Wednesday morning (Jan. 26) at what he felt was a very appropriate place: Fleming College's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Technology in Lindsay."

Ontario Water Trails

Geoportal to provide sharper window on South Nation Conservation information - News - By EMC News St. Lawrence Local Community News

"EMC News - South Nation Conservation (SNC) is developing a web-based mapping tool, which will be accessible by SNC staff, SNC partners, and the public and will provide users with access to SNC's geographic information.

'The tool will foster greater communication and knowledge-sharing with our partners, residents, and SNC staff,' Lisa Migneault explained. 'It also provides an opportunity to share personal observations and experiences, which may be added to the maps.'"

Ontario's Eastern Region Trails

North Bay News and Weather on BayToday.ca

"The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) received $261,800 through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP) “Early Response” initiative to protect local drinking water sources from contamination. Property owners must apply for the funds through the NBMCA. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first serve basis. The budget provides for approximately 27 projects."

Crackdown on cycle-paths: Levy | Sue-Ann Levy | Columnists | Comment | Toronto Sun

"I will make no bones about it. Cyclists who use the sidewalks to get from Point A to Point B in this city are for the most part rude, arrogant and a pain in the neck.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been startled by sidewalk cyclists aggressively pedalling behind me — without warning — as I walked my two dachsies or jogged on the city’s sidewalks, forcing me and my dogs to quickly jump out of their way.

Dare tell them the sidewalks are for pedestrians. Even dare."

Ontario On-Road Cycling Trails

Land Information Ontario

"Land Information Ontario (LIO) can help you find and access geographic data about Ontario. You can make online maps, search for data and even catalogue your own data so others can find it. Read about some of our exciting initiatives."

Ontario Trail Maps

Float & Fly Grand River Trips | Grand River Rafting | Canoeing | Kayaking | Fishing | Paris, Ontario

"Travel one hour west of Toronto near Paris, Ontario to experience rafting, canoeing, kayaking and fishing on Southern Ontario's largest river system... the Grand River."

Ontario Canoe and Kayak Trails

Board okays ATV donations - The Sarnia Observer - Ontario, CA

"A new winter-outfitted all-terrain vehicle could soon be part of the Sarnia Police Service fleet.

The police service board agreed at its Thursday meeting to accept private donations to be used to purchase the ATV. The need for the vehicle came to light during last month's snowstorm, when officers had to walk by on foot to help rescue stranded motorists, said Chief Phil Nelson."

Ontario's All-Terrain Vehicle Trails

CottageCountryNow Article: Trails paved with tourist dollars

"BURK’S FALLS – Trails were a hot topic of discussion as a way to bolster tourism in the area.

A room full of area business people, municipal leaders and interested parties met to discuss the future of the region, brainstorming on the development of the area as a tourist region at the Annual Showcase Almaguin held upstairs at the Burk’s Falls arena on Jan. 18 and the topic returned time and time again to the topic of trails.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller described Parry Sound/Muskoka as situated to be ‘the tourism jewel’ of the province.

“It’s my belief that Parry Sound/Muskoka can compete with any tourist destination in the world,” he said."

Winter's Hottest Offer: 3rd Night FREE in Ontario

Select from a range of package offers. All of these places provide some sort of outdoor Ontario adventure.

Ontario's Niagara Trails

Ontario Eco-Adventure Celebrates Winter

There are hundreds of cross-country, dog-sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobile adventures awaiting you in Ontario!

Il ya des centaines de cross-country, le traîneau à chiens, la raquette et la motoneige aventures vous attendent en Ontario!

Ontario Trails

Snow Shoe at Snow Fest this Sunday! - Ontario's West Coast - Huron County

"Snow Shoe at Snow Fest this Sunday!
When: Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: 38854 Nature Centre Rd., north of Blyth, west of County Rd. 4
Details: Come and celebrate the winter season. Snow shoe rental available for all ages. Staff will be on hand to outfit visitors with snow shoes and provide some basic instruction. Hot chocolate and coffee available.
Cost: Free admission, snow shoe rental for $3.00
Contact: 519-335-3557

Ontario's Snowshoe and Backcountry Trails

Frosty February in Quetico Park - Sunset Country, Northern Ontario

"Mark your calendars February 19th and 20th, 2011 and come on out to enjoy winter fun in Ontario's beautiful Quetico Provincial Park! 'Frosty February' is being organized by park staff and it is definitely something to check out and better, to attend. The event includes fun activities such as a candlelight ski, winter camping demonstrations, igloo and quinzhee hut building as well as various other winter sport events."

Ontario's North-West Trails

Antiquated bike bylaws need updating: police - thestar.com

"The province decided two years ago that electric bikes should be governed by the same rules as regular bicycles. That decision changed the implications of at least one bylaw. Bicycles with a wheel diameter of more than 61 centimetres cannot go on Toronto sidewalks, but smaller ones can.

Since Vespa-style electric bikes or scooters are built with smaller wheels, the outdated bylaw allows some e-bikers to legally use sidewalks.

“So we have these people whipping along the sidewalks at 32 km/h on a vehicle that can weigh a couple hundred pounds, with a rider,” Smith said. “This is what’s causing us concern.”"

Ontario's On-Road Trails