Ontario Trails News - MNRF urges you to spend more time in Nature, we urge you to use an Ontario Trail.

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News Release

Ontario Launches Challenge to Spend More Time in Nature

Time Spent in Natural Settings Has Positive Impact on Mental and Physical Health

July 25, 2016 11:00 A.M.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

The Ontario government and Ontario Parks are challenging people across the province to spend more time in nature and develop new healthy habits.

Inspired by the David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Challenge, the Ontario Parks 30x30 Nature Challenge encourages people to spend at least 30 minutes per day in nature for 30 days. This year's challenge begins in August. 

Spending time outside each day will help to form a beneficial new habit that supports a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that interacting with nature is good for both physical and mental health, from reducing stress and strengthening the immune system to reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and lowering blood pressure.

The 30x30 Nature Challenge doesn't have to take a lot of time and planning. Nature isn't that far away - there are provincial parks all across Ontario. But it's also right in your backyard. Green space can be as close as your neighbourhood park or garden. You can check out local trails and beaches, too - they may even lie along your daily route.

If you're looking for a change of scenery, the Ontario Parks locator tool makes it easy to find a provincial park nearby. Enjoy hiking, biking, paddling and lots of outdoor programmes.

Here are just some of the ways you can get outside for the 30x30 Challenge this August:

• Bring your family to the Learn to Fish event at Balsam Lake.
• Perfect your howl at Algonquin's wolf howls.
• Take a guided ghost walk at Bronte Creek.
• Learn some kayak basics at Frontenac.
• Become a citizen scientist by participating in the Summer Loon Count at Killarney.
• Go stargazing at Halfway Lake's Star Party, hosted by the Sudbury Astronomy Club.

Finding more time for nature is easy and it can really pay off when it comes to your health!

Quick Facts

• There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, perfect for fun and healthy activities.
• Ontario Parks supports the link between a healthy environment and healthy society through Healthy Parks, Healthy People and the 30x30 Challenge.
• The Healthy Parks Healthy People movement evolved from the international Health Parks, Healthy People Congress in 2010. Its goal is to maintain global momentum towards better understanding the links between nature and human health.
• In 2015, Ontario’s provincial parks received more than 9.8 million visits from people around the world and brought in over $80 million in revenue, which supports jobs and businesses across the province.

Additional Resources

• Healthy Parks Healthy People Central
• 2016 Ontario Parks Guide
• Ontario Children’s Outdoor Charter

Quotes

“Spending time in one of Ontario’s beautiful provincial parks is a wonderful way to connect with nature and stay healthy. But there are also many natural settings in your own neighbourhood. I encourage all Ontarians to get out to any natural setting and to take up the 30x30 Nature challenge.”

Kathryn McGarry

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Ontario Trails News - at Ontario Trails we require more than just money to make trails. Help us help Ontario today!

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Donations Wish List

At the Ontario Trails Council we require support in forms other than money.

Currently we require:

Computer upgrades - 2 iMacs 2014 or later, 2 Mcbooks 2014 or later

Handheld devices for Trail Audits - 8 -  IOS

240 sign posts

240 3X4 unpainted aluminum signs

4 EZ up tents

4 Portable tables

8 Portable juice jugs

2 Pick up trucks

1 Trailer

Ontario Trails News - send us your feedback on your Trails, as we work with you on your Trails Tourism Action Plan!

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Please take a couple of minutes and send us your contact information.

Ontario Trails are currently engaged with RTO's in seeking improved data for the Ontario Trails Council website, as well as crafting Trails Tourism Action Plans with each RTO and their partners.

Add your contact information here:

RTO1 DMO's
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RTO6 DMO's
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RTO11 DMO's
RTO12 DMO's
RTO13 DMO's

Do you have a trails tourism strategy? Add your strategy here -

RTO1 DMO's
RTO2 DMO's
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Ontario 150 Offering Grants!

Apply for funding

There are three funding programs you can apply for:

• Community Celebration Program (application opens July 6 and closes September 2, 2016)
• Partnership Program (application opens July 6 and closes September 30, 2016)
• Community Capital Program (application opens July 18 and closes  September 14, 2016)

Ontario150 Community Celebration Program

This program will help to support initiatives that celebrate and commemorate Canada and Ontario’s 150^th anniversary.

Ontario150 Partnership Program

This program supports collaborative projects that foster new partnerships and innovative ways to engage and empower youth.

Ontario150 Community Capital Program

This program helps municipalities, not-for-profit community organizations and Indigenous communities improve existing infrastructure through repairs, renovations or retrofitting.
 

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Please consider signing this petition

Educational Courses - sign up for Fall - on-line learning

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Please consider supporting our work

We wish to thank all those organizations who have renewed their membership. Please renew today, our work is more important than ever! Help us help groups keep their trails open. Please consider making a donation or taking out a membership today! We rely on the generous support of the Canadian trail community to allow us to do our work.

Our Mission - to promote the preservation, management, use and development of trails.

Everyday, somewhere in Ontario we educate, support a group, lead or assist a community improving its quality of life through trails.

Ask us how we make a difference! Thanks

Ontario Trails News - from around Ontario's 2600 Trails, events, activities and trail managing!

Watch out for Lyme Disease!

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Everyday Ontario Trails assists trails in Ontario - Service Request Form

The Ontario Trails Council requests that folks start using it's Service Request form so that we can track the supports we provide to trail organizations in Ontario - a lot of which is unfunded.

Our work, leading to Bill 100, or an Ontario Trails Implementation Strategy benefits all trails, but not all support our work, so if you want our valuable assistance please complete this form going forward so we can track requests!



We believe in trails and would be happy to assist as per our mandate and mission, but a priority, given resource and time constraints will be given to our partners first.

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News From Partners!

OFATV

Thanks Pablo for the mentions!

Thanks Mississauga Parks and Forestry for the mention!

 

Thanks for the mention Toby!

Thanks for the photo Jeremy!
After all the discussion about it (at Trailhead Ontario - Renfrew), I spotted a horse and buggy using the Thousand Islands Parkway recreational trail this morning.

Jeremy

Watch for this recurring special on the Group of Seven Trail!

Ontario Trail News - MNRF wants you to spend more time in Nature. And more about Ontario's Trails from Trailwise.

News Release

Ontario Launches Challenge to Spend More Time in Nature

Time Spent in Natural Settings Has Positive Impact on Mental and Physical Health

July 25, 2016 11:00 A.M.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

The Ontario government and Ontario Parks are challenging people across the province to spend more time in nature and develop new healthy habits.

Inspired by the David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Challenge, the Ontario Parks 30x30 Nature Challenge encourages people to spend at least 30 minutes per day in nature for 30 days. This year's challenge begins in August. 

Spending time outside each day will help to form a beneficial new habit that supports a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that interacting with nature is good for both physical and mental health, from reducing stress and strengthening the immune system to reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and lowering blood pressure.

The 30x30 Nature Challenge doesn't have to take a lot of time and planning. Nature isn't that far away - there are provincial parks all across Ontario. But it's also right in your backyard. Green space can be as close as your neighbourhood park or garden. You can check out local trails and beaches, too - they may even lie along your daily route.

If you're looking for a change of scenery, the Ontario Parks locator tool makes it easy to find a provincial park nearby. Enjoy hiking, biking, paddling and lots of outdoor programmes.

Here are just some of the ways you can get outside for the 30x30 Challenge this August:

• Bring your family to the Learn to Fish event at Balsam Lake.
• Perfect your howl at Algonquin's wolf howls.
• Take a guided ghost walk at Bronte Creek.
• Learn some kayak basics at Frontenac.
• Become a citizen scientist by participating in the Summer Loon Count at Killarney.
• Go stargazing at Halfway Lake's Star Party, hosted by the Sudbury Astronomy Club.

Finding more time for nature is easy and it can really pay off when it comes to your health!

Quick Facts

• There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, perfect for fun and healthy activities.
• Ontario Parks supports the link between a healthy environment and healthy society through Healthy Parks, Healthy People and the 30x30 Challenge.
• The Healthy Parks Healthy People movement evolved from the international Health Parks, Healthy People Congress in 2010. Its goal is to maintain global momentum towards better understanding the links between nature and human health.
• In 2015, Ontario’s provincial parks received more than 9.8 million visits from people around the world and brought in over $80 million in revenue, which supports jobs and businesses across the province.

Additional Resources

• Healthy Parks Healthy People Central
• 2016 Ontario Parks Guide
• Ontario Children’s Outdoor Charter

Quotes

“Spending time in one of Ontario’s beautiful provincial parks is a wonderful way to connect with nature and stay healthy. But there are also many natural settings in your own neighbourhood. I encourage all Ontarians to get out to any natural setting and to take up the 30x30 Nature challenge.”

Kathryn McGarry

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

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How is Your Trails Committee Doing?

In the fall of 2015 the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee endorsed the Ontario Trails Implementation Strategy. On of the action plan items was to assess and better understand how the province and the OTC could support Regional Trail Committees. 

Over the past 20 years communities have used RTC's to reduce conflict, find resources and advance trails

TAKE THE SURVEY!

With over 50 committees operating throughout Ontario, many started or supported by the efforts of the OTC, we want to know how you are doing. We believe that trail committees bring the best people together to manage trails!We also want to support your community work, recognize it and get supports for it. From members, local government and the province.

SHARE THE SURVEY!Please send the link to a committee, or a group that works on trails. If they don't have a process to manage trails we'll help get them started.

If you are a group that doesn't have a committee, or has one that could function better give the OTC a call. 613-484-1140
 

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Partnerships always welcome at Ontario Trails!

Our Partnership is just the beginning! We thank you for becoming a partner, here are some of the benefits that are now yours -
Great Benefits!
Access to insurance, trail insurance and other services from CAPRI.
Advocacy Information
Your voice in Toronto, in your town and city, and in Ottawa, representing you on issues that matter to you. Trail Legislation, Landowner Rights, Best Practices, Funding and Grant Programs.
Latest Information for Having Your Best Trail
Partners can access the latest information to learn more about healthy living, trail planning, trail protection and managing your trail. OTC members get access to E-newsletter and programs like the Trillium Trail Network.


Community Events & Services
Get involved with one of our 200+ partners across Ontario and join the many volunteers making a difference in your community. We'll promote and list your contribution at no charge.
Planning and Development
We'll get your community to support you! We'll get your community leaders to fund you. If we don't we'll assist in writing grants (for a fee) to get you the money you need to develop the trails you want.


Trail Management Services
We'll help you develop a Regional Trails Council, Incorporate, we provide governance guidance and education to staff and volunteer. We'll help you define projects, secure funds, and we'll bring other knowledge experts in to assist you!
"Trailhead" Brand Conferences and Meetings
We'll help you plan, invite, secure and present, on your trails! Use the power of our network to bring experts to your community, where your leaders can learn about latest practices, trail successes and opportunities. - From 40-140 people, we bring media and marketing of your work home to you! Investment Required, OTC Earnings and Return on Revenue Offered.
PLUS! Award-winning WEBSITE Marketing
The Ontario Trails Council lists you, your trails, and your latest events, news about your work. Our award winning website gets people to Ontario Trails better - than just stand alone sites!

Ontario Trails News - we enable trails through planning. Got a trails plan? Send it to Ontario Trails.

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Got a trail plan? Add it to our inventory of approved plans for trails.

Trail Master Plans

• Ajax
• Belleville
• Brampton
• Brockville
• Bruce-Grey
• Burlington
• Cambridge
• Cataraqui Creek Conservation
• Cornwall
• Durham Region
• Frontenac County
• Goderich
• Guelph
• Haldimand
• Haliburton County
• Halton Hills
• Hamilton - Cycling
• Hamilton Trails
• Kawartha Lakes
• Kingston
• Kitchener
• London
• Markham
• Merrickville-Wolford
• Niagara Region
• Norfolk County
• North Bay
• North Grenville
• Oakville
• Oakville - North
• Orangeville
• Orillia
• Ottawa Greenspace
• Ottawa - forests
• Owen Sound
• Oxford County
• Parry Sound
• Peterborough
• Quinte West
• Rouge Park
• Selwyn Township
• Shelburne
• Simcoe County
• South Glengarry
• Springwater Township
• Stratford
• Thames Centre
• Thunder Bay
• Timmins
• Toronto - Natural Environment Trails Strategy
• Toronto - Multi-Use Trail Design Guidelines
• Toronto Regional Conservation Authority
• Town of Lakeshore
• Township of Tiny
• Waterloo
• Waterfront Toronto Lake Ontario Park
• Whitby
• Windsor
• York

Ontario Trails News - news about Ontario Trails, Bruce Trail, trails activity and more about Ontario's 2600 trails!

PARTNER WITH US TODAY!

Motivate yourself to hike more than ever this October!

Registration for the TBTC annual Hike-a-thon opens August 1^st. For more information and to register, visit brucetrail.org/hikeathon

All proceeds go directly to….

The Bruce Trail Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary Milestone Project 5,000 acres of Niagara Escarpment landscape containing the Bruce Trail secured, stewarded and made available to the public by 2017.

The first 50 participants receive a complementary “buff” (see photo to the right). Make sure you’re one of the first!   

The event: The Hike-a-thon is month long event taking place from October 1^st to 31^st. Participants set personal hiking goals and endeavor to surpass them while raising funds. Prizes are awarded for participants with the most kilometers hiked on the Bruce Trail (main and side trails) and most funds raised.

www.torontobrucetrailclub.org| 416-763-9061 | information@torontobrucetrailclub.org

Toronto cycling group tours Kingston, praises local infrastructure

Kingston, ON, Canada / CKWS TV

CKWS Newswatch

July 31, 2016 05:42 pm

More than 200 cyclists from Toronto made the trip to Kingston this long weekend, touring the region on two wheels.

Members of the Toronto bicycling network choose a different city each year to spend their civic long weekend – and head out on various cycling routes.

This year the group chose Kingston and toured more than a dozen different courses throughout their time in the limestone city.

One of today’s trips included a ride to and from Cape Vincent – through Wolfe Island. Organizers say Kingston is one of the up and coming cycle-tourism hotspots.

Andrea Calver: “Kingston is a fantastic city to visit, especially in the summer. By being here we want to encourage Kingston to continue to improve its cycling infrastructure, because cycle-tourism is very big business. We’re not the only people who come here to cycle. This can be a really popular destination for cyclists because there is something for everybody.”

Rein Suurallik: “It’s so close to these wonderful restaurants, and the architecture is just wonderful. Again just very close to some absolutely cycling. Riding along the rivers and these lakes. We’re heading up to Desert Lake today and we’re really looking forward to it because it’s going to be a wild, twisty, windy, up and down sort of road. We’re going to warn our riders about that because they’re really going to be tuckered out at the end of it.

Toronto and Region Conservation to bring in truckloads of dirt to stabilize shoreline path below Scarborough’s Guild Park

Scarborough Bluffs

Submitted photo

Work to stabilize a shoreline path below Scarborough’s Guild Park will be done over three weeks starting Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Scarborough Mirror

By Mike Adler 

Work to stabilize a shoreline path below Scarborough’s Guild Park will be done over the next three weeks, says a local volunteer group.

In announcing the project, Friends of Guild Park and Gardens called metal reinforcement bars in rubble below the park “dangerous and unsightly.”

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, responsible for the Lake Ontario shoreline, will start placing about 30 truckloads of clean fill below the park, starting on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

“The TRCA is doing this work after the Guildwoood Village Community Association has raised concerns about the poor condition of this popular walking area along Lake Ontario,” the Friends group said on Facebook last week.

During construction, the conservation authority is blocking access to the area, including to a roadway down to the shore from Guildwood Parkway, weekdays between 7 a.m and 5 p.m.

The shoreline below the park may be popular, but the TRCA says it is not safe to walk on.

Its Scarborough Waterfront Project, which is still under study, proposes a plan for safe access to the shore through a series of new waterfront green spaces below the Bluffs connecting Bluffers Park with East Point Park at the mouth of Highland Creek.