Ontario Trails Daily News from Ontario Trails Council

• Education • News • Updates • Sharing •  Requests • Meetings • Activity

Ontario Trails News - Spring Message
WATER - CHECK BEFORE YOU GO! At this time of Year - Please restrain Motorized and Equestrian use on Soft Soils. Thanks

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Trail Questions
1) Question: Hunting along rail trails. In the Game and Fish Act...Section18 (10) and no such patentee, owner or tenant shall prohibit any person from hunting or fishing on the railway lands. Definition (11) “railway lands” includes all lands set apart under any Act as a land subsidy or otherwise in aid of any railway or of any works in connection therewith or of any works to be established, maintained or carried on by any railway. R.S.O. 1990, c. G.1, s. 18 (10, 11). So if its a trail and not a railway this "free hunting access"doesn't apply? Please e-mail me with your interpretation or how you manage this on your rail trail. execdir@ontariotrails.ca Thanks

2) Question: Road Trail Intersection Improvements. OTC was contacted by Saugeen Rail Trail. They have been invited to present at more Ministry of Transportation meetings. They want to know - when two lane highways are re-developed, have any of you been able to secure trailhead improvements at the crossings, by way of the re-development? If so, what did you get? Please e-mail Jeff Hemming at jaycee@bmts.com

3) Support a Great Lakes Guardian Fund Grant. Great Lakes Guardian Fund applications due tomorrow. Last year OTC supported a Town of Deseronto CIAF Grant Application and the town got an $80,000 grant to re-develop their waterfront park and the Waterfront trail. As an OTC Member, Regional partner, or trail stakeholder would you consider writing a letter in support. E-mail me for our letter template you can use! Also please consider putting our OTC logo or OTC website as a link on your website!

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Trailhead Ontario - Updates

June 9-12, 2013 - Peterborough

Early Bird Special on Now!
 

Join trail advocates, organizations, speakers, builders, use groups, volunteers, planners and regulators as we discuss, learn and improve Ontario's Trails We are working with the full support of  Our Favorite Place (RTO8), Peterborough and the Kawartha’s Tourism and a number of local trails groups to bring you the best Trailhead Ontario yet!. There are a lot of new trails and trail tourism partnerships in RTO8. The Ontario Trails “Trailhead Ontario 2013″ Committee is  is pleased to announce the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough as the location of our conferencing. Site locations for our trail education program are being determined now.

General Membership AGM!

The Ontario Trails Council is providing notice to membership and guests that the OTC Annual General Meeting is at Noon June 10, 2013. In accordance with the OTC By-Laws, Notice of Nominations for the Board of Directors is hereby served. Download the nomination letter and forms here.

Check the list of Presenters!

 

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Program Snapshotclick image for all

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Time Limited?Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Day Participation options

TICKET TYPE	PRICE	FEE
Conference and Education Package - Paypal	CA$315.88*	CA$9.12
Conference and Education Session Package - Pay by cheque	CA$357.50*	CA$9.95
Conference Registration - Paypal	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Training - Risk Management	CA$203.76*	CA$6.24
One Day Registration - Conference Only	CA$96.51*	CA$3.49
Early Bird - Conference and Training	CA$276.88*	CA$8.12
Early Bird - Conference	CA$150.01*	CA$4.86
Early Bird - Trails Training and Education	CA$174.51*	CA$5.49
Display Booth	CA$257.86*	CA$7.63
Display Booth - discount	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Non-Profit - Provincial	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Provincial Non-profit - discount	CA$128.20*	CA$4.30
Display Booth - Local, small non-profit	CA$42.15*	CA$2.10
Display table - literature only	CA$20.59*	CA$1.54
Ordered Ticket at door - Conference	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Ordered Ticket at Door - Education	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99
Ordered Ticket at Door - Conference and Education	CA$365.55*	CA$9.95
Ordered Ticket at Door - One Day Only - Conference Only	CA$100.00	CA$3.49
Coffee Break Support	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99

Ontario Trails Daily News from the Ontario Trails Council

Ontario Hiking and Walking Trails

Gridlock Sam discusses making Toronto more walkable
insideTORONTO.com
Over the course of his near 30-minute presentation, Schwartz made the case for walking, which he said “provided a sense of place” to cities. “Streets say something about you, so Toronto as you go forward, you have an opportunity to be saying something ...
See all stories on this topic »

Ontario Canoe and Kayak Trails

Canoe and rowing clubs unite for unique program
The Sudbury Star
And yet, here's the Sudbury Canoe Club and the Sudbury Rowing Club winning a key ... He competed Saturday at an Elite Ontario event and set a new personal ...

Canoes forced to navigate 'fast' water on Raisin RiverSeaway News
CORNWALL, Ontario - The 41st Raisin River Canoe Race was held on Sunday. The weather was cold, rainy, there were periods of sleet and snow. Despite all that, more than 150 canoes set off from St. Andrew's West and in the end 129 successfully made ...See all stories on this topic »

Ontario Cycling Trails

Ride a bike — extend a lifeThe Guardian Charlottetown (blog)
How well I remember my first bike – a turquoise and silver Raleigh that instantly transformed me into the happiest 10-year-old in Ontario. How I loved that bike, although I did stop short of John Lennon's childhood insistence on keeping his bicycle in ...
See all stories on this topic » 

Conservation Ontario supports Ontario Trails!

Lin Gibson elected Conservation Ontario vice-chair - Northern Life
NorthernLife.ca
Conservation Ontario is the network of the 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, which deliver programs and services that protect and manage water and other natural resources in partnership with governments, landowners and other organizations.
See all stories on this topic »

OTC Appreciates the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation

 

Trailhead Ontario - Register Today Early Bird Ends May 1, 2013

Trailhead Ontario Conference - for Professionals, by Professionals. Great People, Great Trails! April 15, 2013

June 9-12, 2013 - Peterborough Early Bird Special on Now! Join trail advocates, organizations, speakers, builders, use groups, volunteeers, planners and regulators as we discuss, learn and improve Ontario's Trails   Our Plan for 2013 – We are working with the full support of  Our Favorite Place (RTO8), Peterborough and the Kawartha’s Tourism and a number of local trails groups to bring you the best Trailhead Ontario yet!. There are a lot of new trails and trail tourism partnerships in RTO8. The Ontario Trails “Trailhead Ontario 2013″ Committee is  is pleased to announce the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough as the location of our conferencing. Site locations for our trail education program are being determined now. New for 2013 -Regional Tourism development includes trails. Trail packages, trail experiences, trail destinations. This takes a blending of major destinations, natural topographies, parks, conservation, county forest and up to 18 different trail activities. What’s in your “Trail Mix”? What’s our plan for marketing this unique matrix of dynamic outdoor experiences so that the world can find the world’s best range of trail fun right here at home. RTO 8 - Trail Events   Partial Program Snapshot - click image for all Time Limited? Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Day Participation options   TICKET TYPE PRICE FEE Conference and Education Package - Paypal CA$315.88* CA$9.12 Conference and Education Session Package - Pay by cheque CA$357.50* CA$9.95 Conference Registration - Paypal CA$169.63* CA$5.37 Training - Risk Management CA$203.76* CA$6.24 One Day Registration - Conference Only CA$96.51* CA$3.49 Early Bird - Conference and Training CA$276.88* CA$8.12 Early Bird - Conference CA$150.01* CA$4.86 Early Bird - Trails Training and Education CA$174.51* CA$5.49 Display Booth CA$257.86* CA$7.63 Display Booth - discount CA$171.58* CA$5.42 Display Booth - Non-Profit - Provincial CA$171.58* CA$5.42 Display Booth - Provincial Non-profit - discount CA$128.20* CA$4.30 Display Booth - Local, small non-profit CA$42.15* CA$2.10 Display table - literature only CA$20.59* CA$1.54 Ordered Ticket at door - Conference CA$169.63* CA$5.37 Ordered Ticket at Door - Education CA$194.01* CA$5.99 Ordered Ticket at Door - Conference and Education CA$365.55* CA$9.95 Ordered Ticket at Door - One Day Only - Conference Only CA$100.00 CA$3.49 Coffee Break Support CA$194.01* CA$5.9 Regional Trail Profile So it looks like it's going to be an exciting time in Peterborough - join us - mark the date June 9-12, 2013 in your calendar NOW! Hotel Reservations and Event Location More information? Go to - Trailhead Ontario Call Patrick at 1-877-668-7245 or Vanessa Twitty at 905-373-8752 | www.rto8.com |  Ontario Trails appreciates the support of: Regional Tourism Organization 8 Ontario Trillium Foundation

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Ontario Trails Council, All rights reserved.

Ontario Trails Council - News about Trails from All over Ontario

"Our Favorite Place"-Trail Stories

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Curious on what to do while you’re in town? Visit the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Information Centre. The centre is located at 1400 Crawford Drive in Peterborough. At the Visitors Centre you will be greeted with happy smiles and councellors eager to help you with any questions or quandary you may have about Peterborough City and County. They can help you find a place to eat, attractions to visit and events to experience. The Visitors Centre is an excellent way to journey through the region or get information for your next return visit. They can provide maps, experience guides, as well as directions that you can take with you.

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Hotel Reservations and Event Location



More information? Go to - Trailhead Ontario  Call Patrick at 1-877-668-7245 or Vanessa Twiddy at 905-373-8752 | www.rto8.com

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Active Transportation Trails

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ATV Trails

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Cycling Trails

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Hiking Trails

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Horse Trails

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Snow Trails

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Ontario Trails MembershipOn behalf of OTC we thank you for your support. If there is a group you know that is not a member contact us and we'll send them a note on membership benefits.

THANKS! MERCI!

Ontario Trails Council - Daily Trail Blog all about Ontario Trails!

Performance Measures - Trail Counts!

Low maintenance - Using weatherproof decals our methods allow users to quickly and easily provide you with information you need to assess, improve, direct, re-direct, or provide information to the user - while on the trail. Our proprietary method has been developed by over 140 trail users and with the input of The City of Thunder Bay and Norfolk County Trail Managers.

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Packages - OTC Member? - Take $25.00 off each package!

• Blue - 4-10 trails:  $300.00 plus HST and registration fees
  • Maximum 20 sheets of decals
• Green - 10-20 trails: $500.00 plus HST and registration fees
  • Maximum 40 sheets of decals
• Gold - 20 or more trails: Starting at $1,000 plus HST and registration fees
  • TBD

Go to Trail Counts! to purchase. Thanks

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Ontario Trails - Your Data Wanted

Since 2007 the Ontario Trails Council has collected trails data, and turned that data into our award winning website, as mandated by the desires of the trails community reflected in the Ontario Trails Strategy. Nearly 1,000,000 people a year turn to this information in order to find you and your trails.

At this time we are working on the feasibility of collecting more trail data for the MNR. This project money sustains the OTC, but the money is only derived if there is data collected. This is where we need your help. We need you and your trail to opt in before we start collecting because the MNR wants to know which trails we are going to collect data from. Is your trail one we can collect? The characteristics we are looking for are:

1.       Measurements

1. Trailhead Longitude
2. Trailhead Latitude
3. Completion Time (hours)
4. Elevation Change (m)
5. Trailhead Elevation (m)
6. Maximum Elevation (m)
7. Cross Slope Average (%)
8. Cross Slope Maximum (%)
9. Minimum Trail Width (m)
10. Average Trail Width (m)
11. Maximum Grade (%)
12. Average Grade (%)
13. Trail Surface
14. Trail Classification (Trail Group/Local Classification/Difficulty/ Rating eg: OFSC Trail Classes)

4.    Prohibited Trail Uses
5.    Trail Hazards (Poison Ivy, Steep Slopes)
6.    Trail Fees (Day Pass, Donation, Parking etc.)
7.    Seasons/Dates of Operation
8.    Trail Amenities (Visitor Centre, Beach, Boat Launch etc.)
9.    Trail Enforcement
10.  Trail Permits
11.  Trail Speed Limit
12.  Trail Signage
13.  Trail Environmental Concerns
14.  Trail Permitted Use (Dogs on Leash)

1. Date of Collection
2. Data Collector
3. Trail sensitivity (high /low) 

So let us know if you are willing to support us by sharing data you already have. execdir@ontariotrails.ca Thanks

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Trailhead Ontario - Updates

June 9-12, 2013 - Peterborough

Early Bird Special on Now!
 

Join trail advocates, organizations, speakers, builders, use groups, volunteers, planners and regulators as we discuss, learn and improve Ontario's Trails

 

We are working with the full support of  Our Favorite Place (RTO8), Peterborough and the Kawartha’s Tourism and a number of local trails groups to bring you the best Trailhead Ontario yet!. There are a lot of new trails and trail tourism partnerships in RTO8. The Ontario Trails “Trailhead Ontario 2013″ Committee is  is pleased to announce the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough as the location of our conferencing. Site locations for our trail education program are being determined now.

General Membership AGM!

The Ontario Trails Council is providing notice to membership and guests that the OTC Annual General Meeting is at Noon June 10, 2013. In accordance with the OTC By-Laws, Notice of Nominations for the Board of Directors is hereby served. Download the nomination letter and forms here.

Check the list of Presenters!




 

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Program Snapshotclick image for all

---

Time Limited?Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Day Participation options

TICKET TYPE	PRICE	FEE
Conference and Education Package - Paypal	CA$315.88*	CA$9.12
Conference and Education Session Package - Pay by cheque	CA$357.50*	CA$9.95
Conference Registration - Paypal	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Training - Risk Management	CA$203.76*	CA$6.24
One Day Registration - Conference Only	CA$96.51*	CA$3.49
Early Bird - Conference and Training	CA$276.88*	CA$8.12
Early Bird - Conference	CA$150.01*	CA$4.86
Early Bird - Trails Training and Education	CA$174.51*	CA$5.49
Display Booth	CA$257.86*	CA$7.63
Display Booth - discount	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Non-Profit - Provincial	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Provincial Non-profit - discount	CA$128.20*	CA$4.30
Display Booth - Local, small non-profit	CA$42.15*	CA$2.10
Display table - literature only	CA$20.59*	CA$1.54
Ordered Ticket at door - Conference	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Ordered Ticket at Door - Education	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99
Ordered Ticket at Door - Conference and Education	CA$365.55*	CA$9.95
Ordered Ticket at Door - One Day Only - Conference Only	CA$100.00	CA$3.49
Coffee Break Support	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99

Trail Insurance from Ontario Trails Council

Weekly E-Bulletin of the Ontario Trails Council. The provincial trails association in Ontario. Week of April 11, 2013

• Education • News • Updates • Sharing •  Requests • Meetings • Activity

Ontario Trails News - Spring Message CHECK WATER, ICE AND SNOW - BEFORE YOU GO! At this time of Year - Please restrain Motorized and Equestrian use on Soft Soils. Thanks Trail Questions 1) Do you have a trail naming protocol? Yesterday we heard from Lake Laurentian Conservation Authority and they asked if Ontario Trails had a trail naming protocol - river trail near rivers, loop trail for loops, or how you name a trail in particular environments - rural, urban, town and country, forest etc. If you have a protocol if you could send to: Natalie Webster, M.Sc. Community Stewardship/Partnership Specialist Conservation Sudbury Email: natalie.webster@sudbury.ca Web: www.nickeldistrict.ca/ndca/ 2) Question: Hunting along rail trails. In the Game and Fish Act...Section18 (10) and no such patentee, owner or tenant shall prohibit any person from hunting or fishing on the railway lands. Definition (11) “railway lands” includes all lands set apart under any Act as a land subsidy or otherwise in aid of any railway or of any works in connection therewith or of any works to be established, maintained or carried on by any railway. R.S.O. 1990, c. G.1, s. 18 (10, 11). So if its a trail and not a railway this "free hunting access"doesn't apply? Please e-mail me with your interpretation or how you manage this on your rail trail. execdir@ontariotrails.ca Thanks 3) Crowd-sourcing? Are any of you or your groups doing this -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing  If so how are you reaching the Crowd? Just comment to execdir@ontariotrails.ca Trails Education - Select a Program! We have updated the program and our 14 module program is here for the using. If you have staff to train, trails to manage or want a session in your area on a particular topic let us know. We'll coordinate a session or series on your behalf.   DESCRIPTION COURSE TITLE Volunteer Management View PDF Business Planning and Budgetting View PDF Regulation and Legislation View PDF Ecosystem and Natural Heritage View PDF Wilderness First Aid View PDF Food and Nutrition View PDF Marketing and Promotion View PDF Health and Safety View PDF Technology for Trails - Level 1 View PDF Trail Design (2 days) View PDF Trail Risk Management View PDF Trail Committee Development Manual Trail Steward- On Line Learning Program Trail Planning - On Line Program Trails Insurance Program AvailableOnce again, members of the trails community find themselves seeking alternative trails insurance. The volatility and unpredictability of your insurance plan keeping you hopping? Wondering what you are getting, curious if your agent or the underwriter understands trails? If you want: cost stability product assurance insurance perseverance a broker that understands trails At OTC our mission is "trail preservation." See the note from Intercity Insurance, Mike King, below. Further to our recent discussions, I wanted to let you know that we have investigated various markets to get a sense of the appetite that insurers have for coverage associated with trails. Our findings suggest that coverage is available - but from a very limited number of carriers and that the cost of insurance in this class is not heading down anytime soon. The reality is that there have been losses associated with trails in general and that the frequency and severity of claims is on the rise. On the positive side of the issue, we have had several specific discussions of late with our current carriers at Lloyd's of London and we are (collectively) very interested in ramping up our work with OTC to connect with your associates who manage trails. We and the insurers we represent are firm in our commitment to work collaboratively with the OTC trail community to develop a comprehensive risk management strategy that makes sense - and insurance is just one part of that strategy. As for what trail insurance products we have "in the box” right now: a)       Commercial General Liability coverage —premium costs start at $1,000.00 for $2,000,000 coverage. b)      Directors and Officers liability coverage — premium costs start at $200.00 for $I,000,000 coverage. We find that even the smallest community group is seeing the importance of acquiring D and O coverage. c)       Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage - premiums start at $250. 00 to cover the Officers, Directors, employees, members. The limit of coverage is $100,000. In the near future OTC will be bundling these products as a part of membership services and products.