Saturday, July 6, 2013

Ontario Trail News - Lots of Ontario trail news, from trails all over Ontario!

Pin to win our summer photo contest!

Each week we're drawing for a
1 year family Discovery Pass to Parks Canada.

On August 30, we will draw for our grand prize:
a $500 gift certificate to Roots!




Here's how to enter our photo contest:
1. Pin your favourite summer photos and activities on our map. You have until 12am. ET on Friday each week to submit photos that will be considered for that week's reward.
2. Live Right Now panel will choose the most inspiring pinned photo.

3. On Friday afternoons through July and August, we'll announce the winner who will receive a 1 year Parks Canada Family Discovery Pass ($136.40 value).
4. Each photo pinned will count as an entry into a draw for our grand prize of a $500 Roots gift card.
5. A Live Right Now panel will choose the most inspiring photo each week and the grand prize winner will be announced August 30, 2013.
 


 
Pin where you Get Outside and Explore Canada
... and you could win!

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Accident sparks call for changes to cycling laws, bylaws
Waterloo Record
That bill was introduced in the legislature, received second reading, but died when the last Ontario election was called. "We are hoping to bring that legislation back to legislature in the fall," McMahon said. An Ontario coroner's report on cycling ...
See all stories on this topic »


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Ontario Cyclists Announced For MTB-XC Nationals Project | Ontario ...
ONTARIO CYCLISTS ANNOUNCED FOR OCA MTB-XC NATIONALS PROJECT. Project will runJuly 16-21, 2013. (June 30, 2013) The Ontario Cycling ...
www.ontariocycling.org/ontario-cyclists-announced-mtb-xc-n...


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Go fishing without a licence
Welland Tribune
... and develop a teach children about the environment and conservation while having fun fishing. At all other times, residents between the ages of 18 and 64 must have a valid fishing licence to legally fish in Ontario. A 2013 conservation licence ..http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2013/07/05/go-fishing-without-a-licence


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South River canoe maker dips into training fund
Northern Ontario Business
The funding will allow the company to implement a new training program to allow steady year-round production and avoid seasonal layoffs. The money came through a new federal training program called Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Hey look there's Paul's photo in the link!

Reopening the Gateway to James Bay
DIY canoe route forms a link across the Ontario wilds
By: Dave Shively / Posted on July 5, 2013

Laurent Robichaud lining the canoes down West Montreal River before portages were cleared in Sept., 2012. Photo Paul Bisson

http://www.canoekayak.com/canoe/reopening-the-gateway-to-james-bay/

BY CONOR MIHELL

Not so long ago, lakes and rivers were northern Ontario’s highways. This vast network of water trails was first created by native Canadians and later adopted by European explorers, fur traders, surveyors and, most recently, recreational canoe trippers. In the quintessential Canadian canoe country of Quetico, Algonquin and Temagami, many of the age-old portages circumventing whitewater rapids connecting lakes and crossing the divides between watersheds are still in use today, yet countless more have been lost to urban and industrial development.


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Six Destinations You Must Visit This Summer
Huffington Post Canada
Subscribe. Summer is the perfect opportunity to take a day off and explore what Ontario, Canada has to offer. Whether you're into wine tours or canoe trips, here are some romantic getaways that are sure to bring you and your partner closer together ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Meet Toronto's five fittest city councillors
Toronto Star
This month marks the fourth consecutive year in which Wong-Tam will go on a six-day, 600-kmcycling expedition from Toronto to Montreal. She'll cycle 100 km per day and camp out each night. The trip is organized by the Toronto People with Aids ...
See all stories on this topic »

Outlive yourself cross-country organ donation campaign rolls into Toronto
Toronto Star
To get the message across about the importance of organ and tissue donation, he's cycling across Canada and has teamed up with Ottawa double lung recipient Hélène Campbell, who joins him through video at stops and will cycle with him through Ottawa ...
See all stories on this topic »

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Event date: 
 9 July, 2013 - 17:00 - 20:00

Once again, our Street Smarts on-street outreach is focused on teaching people about basic bicycle maintenance!
Join us to get a free safety check or basic tune up, chat with our volunteers about cycling issues in the city, sign up as a member, or just enjoy the evening with us.  
On July 9th, Street Smarts runs from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Art Gallery of Ontario, on the southeast corner of Beverley & Dundas (map).
Click here for more information about our Street Smarts program.
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Get your trail counted today!


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Friday, July 5, 2013

Ontario Trail News - Updates from around Ontario's trails!

**New** Ontario Parks Association Training Courses
In an attempt to ensure we continue providing you and your staff with training that will keep you exceeding expectations at work we are constantly revising and adding to our roster of training sessions. (Yes, you are that special that we go out of our way to try to meet your every single parks training requirements!! And yes, we are just that amazing that you can depend on us to provide all of your parks related training!!) If you have a training need that is not currently being met by the huge listing of training courses we provide please let us know (email training@ontarioparksassociation.ca).

In response to recent requests from members we have some newly developed training sessions to share with you. Check them out in case you too could benefit from the wealth of knowledge of our awesome instructors!!

Parks Welding Safety

Do you or your staff use Oxy Acetylene cutting torches, grinders, metal fabrication, or arc welding to repair trailers or equipment? This one day training (half day theory, half day practical), taught by our ever so wonderful chainsaw instructor Bob Smith, will ensure you and or your staff are using this equipment to weld safely.


Parks One Day Chainsaw Safety & Cutting Techniques

Chainsaws are one of the most useful as well as dangerous tools a worker can use. This one day course is designed to educate personnel who use a chainsaw about safety, maintenance, use and handling. Participants will gain an understanding in what contributes to accidents and how to avoid them. Hands on and practical work planning strategies, including bucking and limbing, understanding compression and tension and dealing with spring poles will be coached and practiced in this course. Notching and back cutting will be introduced for small tree felling (such as on trees of approximately 6” dbh - "diameter at breast height"). There is a strong focus on personal safety, risk assessment and accident prevention. Training workers and developing skills that reduce variables and mitigate risks associated with chainsaws and cutting techniques is the general theme of this course. NOTE: This training is for personnel who are not required to fell trees. For felling trees participants need to attend our 2 day Chainsaw Safety Awareness Training.

Parks Bridge Inspection

Do you have bridges within your parks system that need to be inspected and maintained? If so, we have the training for you! Delivered by experts in the field, participants will learn how to conduct visual inspection on various types of bridges within a parks system. Park’s staff will be familiarized with Bridge Structure and Components, and Inspections & Deterioration of Structures. This training will ensure participants are able to Identify and address deficiencies at an early stage to avert future costly repairs/rehabilitation.

Parks Rigging

This one day rigging course will cover the theory and practical knowledge that is essential for using safe rigging techniques. This course would be excellent for workers who are dealing with storm-damaged trees, having to dismantle trees, felling trees that are leaning the opposite way of the desired fell zone and removing wood or debris from ravines and other areas that cannot be accessed by machinery.
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2013 MTB Commissaire Course | Ontario Cycling Association
Provincial 'C' MTB Commissaire Course. Where: Hardwood Hills, Fireplace Room. When: In Class – July 15th, 16th, 19th – 5:00pm-10:00pm. Practical ...
www.ontariocycling.org/2013-mtb-commissaire-course/


Black wins first Ontario Criterium Cycling title | Other Sports | Sports ...
Peterborough's Chloe Black (13) of Sabino Cycles Racing crosses the line first in a photo finish of the Elite Women's 1 and 2 37.8 kilometre race at the Ontario ...
www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/.../peterboroughs-chloe-b...


Toronto police board drafts report on “dooring”
Toronto Star
Jared Kolb, executive director of the cyclists' group Cycle Toronto, met with Transportation Minister Glen Murray last week, and said Murray was “sympathetic” to cyclists' concerns about dooring. The provincial fine for improperly opening a vehicle's ...
See all stories on this topic »


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Six Local Wineries Partner To Create The Province's Only Regional ...
windsoriteDOTca
“We are proud to help commemorate the War of 1812 Bicentennial and the Coastal Trails: Sails to See Tall Ships Festival through our wine initiative.


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Toronto Public Health | Walk Toronto
Posts about Toronto Public Health written by dylanreid1.
pedto.wordpress.com/tag/toronto-public-health/


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If anyone happens to be in the Haliburton area...
Peter Bowers6:06pm Jul 4
If anyone happens to be in the Haliburton area next week I'm leading a group ride next Wednesday the 10th from my cottage at 1095 Basshaunt Dr at 5 pm near Sir Sams. Secret trails! Swimming! beer! burgers!( after the ride) BYOB, let me know if you're interested.

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

Ontario Trails News - Pan-Am Path gets Executive Approval, Trail Conditions, Trail Counts and more from Ontario Trails!

Saugeen River from Dean and Shannon Pavia - Thanks

Bicycle Opera 2013 Tour
blogTO (blog)
Bicycle Opera 2013 Tour. The Bicycle Opera Project is touring across Southwestern Ontario this July by bicycle! Our tour begins in Toronto and travels to Hamilton, Guelph, Elora, Fergus, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford, Bayfield and London! The Bicycle ...
See all stories on this topic »


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Port of windsor: big, bold
Windsor Star
As a destination in southwestern Ontario's Coastal Trails Sails to See event, ... Built like an1812-era Baltimore clipper, the Pride of Baltimore is a ...


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Join the Trail Counts Program Today!
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On Monday I wrote a letter of support for the Pam-Am Path and happy to report the Ontario Trails Council supported Pan-Am Trails - Gets approval from City of Toronto Executive - http://lnkd.in/Vd599p


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Victoria Rail in terrible condition for cyclists

We travelled from Hamilton ON to ride the trail and were very disappointed with the condition of the trail. This trail is not suitable for bike travel Dave Patterson

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C’est l’été! et il a plein de choses à voir et à faire ici dans Prescott-Russell. 
Entre autre, la soirée des étoiles le 6 juillet et la Randonnée VeloXpress le 7 juillet. 

Hello,
This is summer! and there are lots of things to see and do right here in Prescott-Russell. Among those, an evening of Star gazing on July 6th and VeloXpress Bike Ride on July 7th . 


http://www.sentiertrail.ca/

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Local teen walking from Toronto to GravenhurstCottageCountryNow.ca
Meleca did the first pilgrimage after being diagnosed with arthritis years earlier. The disease was so bad, he couldn't walk without crutches, but things changed after he met Sister Carmelina Tarantino, a nun who was bedridden in Riverdale Hospital in ...

See all stories on this topic »


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Saugeen River from Dean and Shannon Pavia - Thanks

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Ontario Trails News - more to know from all over Ontario Trails!

Trail Openings and Events
Saugeen Rail Trail Opening June 29th, 2013
The Ontario Trails Council is pleased to support the folks and trail organizations in Saugeen Shores as they open a section of trail this Saturday. While at Trailhead Ontario we were contacted by Joyce Scammell of the Saugeen Rail Trail Association, and we responded. Best of luck to all on Saturday. Letter posted to member section of OTC website.
saugeen rail trail

Pan-Am Path and OTC Meeting on Friday
“The Pan Am Path is a multi-use path that connects the city from Brampton, down along the Humber River, along to the waterfront, up the Lower Don, and then up to Scarborough through the hydro corridor,” explains James Gen Meers, one of the founders of Friends of the Pan Am Path, the non-profit that’s formed to champion this project. “It is a trail system that already kind of exists in the city of Toronto, but is missing certain pieces that are required to make it a non-stop continuous path, and that’s what the path is about: leveraging some of the political capital in time for the Pan Am Games to invest in the infrastructure required to make a continuous path.”

Niagara Trails Committee with OTC Meet Mayor Sharpe -Trail Given reprieve

Waterfront Trail - Lake Erie Adventure 2013
great waterfront trail adventure

Huron County Assessing Issues of Trail Development

Bruce Trail Opens Two side Trails in Orangeville


Ontario Trails and Ontario Equestrian Federation launch horse survey
ontario horse survey

Bruce County Promoting Rock Climbing
Bruce Peninsula cliffs bring in daring tourists
Owen Sound Sun Times
County tourism officials will work with the Ontario Access Coalition, a volunteer group that promotes environmentally responsible rock climbing, ...

See and feel how good nature is for you by getting out at least once a day

Research has shown that early-morning cardio in a fasted state can burn up to 20 percent more calories; however hitting the grass versus the treadmill provides a number of further benefits that may just surprise you. Fitting in some nature, or vitamin N, may just be the secret to unlocking a better mood, faster metabolism and stronger memory.

1. Beat belly fat 
Research shows that people who live near trees and parks have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva than those who live in a concrete jungle. A Japanese study found that a forest walk can render a 12 percent decrease in cortisol levels, a seven percent decrease in sympathetic nerve activity (which would contribute to anxiety), a one percent decrease in blood pressure, and a five percent decrease in heart rate. The more you can get yourself into a green space, the better it is for your body composition — and sanity, for that matter.

2. Go green to beat the blues. 
Forget retail therapy, try nature therapy. I recently saw an anonymous quote posted on my Facebook page that said, “There’s no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection,” and I couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re having a bad day, or a tough year, seeking out an area with a lot of greenery has been shown to improve both mood and memory in depressed individuals. In one Michigan study, participants exhibited significant increases in memory span and mood after walks in nature versus urban walks. This is perhaps why many people battle the cottage traffic every Friday night to spend a couple of days in the great outdoors before heading back into the city for another week in the grind. If you don’t have a cottage escape, look up some local trails. It’s an inexpensive, instantly gratifying and calorie-free way to lift your mood.

3. Combat brain fog
If you’re drawing a blank with a project at work, a study from Scotland suggests getting outside for a walk in the park. Researchers took volunteers through three areas: a historic shopping district with old buildings and light traffic, a park-like setting and a busy commercial district with heavy traffic while they wore portable EEGs on their heads to relay their brain waves.While the participants were in the commercial area they produced brain wave patterns conducive with frustration versus the parkland that showed patterns similar to meditation. Bottom line: If you can get out for your lunch and head to a park for 20 minutes you may find yourself more productive the rest of the day.

4. Help nurture creativity
Between our iPhones, laptops and tablets we’re continuously plugged in. However, spending time away from battery-operated devices and in nature has been linked to a 50 percent increase in creativity, something scientists refer to as attentional restoration theory. Bottom line: If you’re heading into a green space this long weekend, be sure to leave yourself unplugged for optimal health benefits.

5. Sleep more soundly
If you find yourself doing everything right and still tossing and turning at night, head outdoors for a walk down your favourite nature trail. Researchers found that forest walking improved actual sleep time, immobile minutes, self-rated depth of sleep and sleep quality. And for even better results, according to the study, you should aim to have this walk later in the day versus earlier. Bottom line: With the longer summer days I recommend taking advantage of an after-dinner walk not just to influence your waistline, but also your bedtime.

6. Get green at home
If you live in the city and you can only escape on the weekends, there are many benefits to adding a little greenery around the house and the office. According to researchers at Kansas State University, adding plants to hospital rooms speeds recovery rates of surgical patients. Compared to patients in rooms without plants, patients in rooms with plants request less pain medication, have lower blood pressure, experience less stress, and are released from the hospital sooner. Bottom line: Feeling stressed at work? Add a potted plant and you will find yourself feeling healthier and taking less time off to battle the seasonal cold.

From http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/health-benefits-of-nature/


Feature Destination
Lennox & Addington County Trails
Do the Dozen ChallengeOffering 12 well mapped and signed road routes with plenty of paved shoulders, there are over 600km of great cycling around and north from theNapanee area. 

While these trails have been available for a number of years, the folks at L&A have created a new promotion for 2013 called 'Do the Dozen Challenge'. Cyclists are invited to go anytime, cycle at their own pace and check into way-finding points along the way. Once complete, their name will go down in history and they become eligible to win a prize pack worth $500.


National Post
The shuttered Ontario Place will get a new urban park and waterfront trail, Ontario's Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan announced on Wednesday. Mr. Chan told a Wednesday morning press conference on the former tourist attraction's now-empty ...

Trail Questions

1) Capital Funding for Trails - Please take a minute to complete the capital funding section of our survey. A s many communities head into the budget cycle other communities want to get an idea of the relative and comparative amounts communities of similar size are investing in their trails. Please go to:

capital data survey

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Ontario Trails Council - Trail News from all over Ontario's Trails!


Download the App Here!

The 2013 Canadian Championships XC/Ontario Cup #5 | Ontario ...
The 2013 Canadian Championships XC/Ontario Cup #5 will take place on July 18 to 21 at Hardwood Ski and Bike. The Canadian Championships/Ontario Cup ...
www.ontariocycling.org/2013-canadian-championships-xcont...


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Horse show gives racehorses second chance
Welland Tribune
By Marlene Bergsma, The Standard A St. Catharines equestrian facility is doing its part ... hosted Ontario's first off-track thoroughbred horseshow Monday...


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Bike to School Project | Cycle Toronto
Over the next three years, the Bike to School Project will deliver cycling educational programs in 16 Toronto high schools to enable diverse students, parents, ...
cycleto.ca/the-bike-to-school-project


City of TorontoCycling in Toronto - Harbord Street and Hoskin ...
City Council has directed staff to develop plans for separated bike lanes on Harbord Street and Hoskin Avenue with a goal to implement in 2014. This work ...
www.toronto.ca/cycling/harbord_and_hoskin/


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Ontario Trail News – June 29, 2013 | ontrails
The Ontario Trails Council is pleased to support the folks and trail organizations in Saugeen Shores as they open a section of trail this Saturday. While at ...
ontrails.wordpress.com/2013/.../ontario-trail-news-june-29-20...


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Join the Trail Counts Program Today!

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