Thursday, January 5, 2017

Ontario Trails News - Trailwise - Week of January 5, 2017

kawartha conservation
• Trail Management • Trailhead Events • Membership Drive 
  • Donate to Trails Today • Member News • Activity Updates 

Ontario Trails Adds More Events!
Here's how one member did.


About the Ganaraska Forest
The 12,000 acre Ganaraska Forest is one of the largest blocks of forested land in southern Ontario. Today the forest is a living example of how the principles of integrated resource management can be used to balance many different uses of forested lands on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis. The forest is home to the Ganaraska Forest Outdoor Education Centre, a weekend canteen, and public washroom and shower facilities. The area provides abundant recreational opportunities and is managed for a sustainable yield of wood products. Day passes or annual permits are required to use the forest. Office hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm weekdays and the Gatehouse is open for sales on weekends from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Please Note: The forest will be closed to motorized use, with the exception of snowmobiling, as of December 1st, 2016. It will re-open on May 1st, 2017. Keep in mind that all users must obtain a membership or day pass to use the forest.

From our events page - search: Ganaraska Forest

Ganaraska Forest
Ganaraska Forest Come and experience southern Ontario's largest forest. Located within an hour's drive of Toronto, straddling the Counties of Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria and the Region of Durham, the Ganaraska Forest...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Ganaraska Forest Hiking Week
...of Ontario Hiking Week, the GRCA is providing free hiking day passes to anyone who visits the forest. Ganaraska Forest Centre and wants to explore the Ganaraska Forest. With 100’s of kilometres of trails, there is a walk for...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Owl Prowl
...Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority staff & volunteers for an exciting night prowling for owls in the Ganaraska Forest. Enjoy a slide show and displays before venturing out on a guided walk in search of an owl or two. Please...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Hallowe'en Howl
...is just around the corner! Why not get into the Hallowe’en spirit early during this spooky night in the Ganaraska Forest? Carve pumpkins and paint other fun gourds to take home, and then enjoy an interactive and fun campfire before...
Central Ganaraska Bike/Hike Trails - Make Your Trail Event
The Ganaraska Forest Centre (GFC) is the place to be! This multi-use facility, which is visited by close to 10,000 students and thousands of other guests each year, accommodates outdoor education programs, community and corporate group...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Under the Stars
Join the Peterborough Astronomical Association at the Ganaraska Forest Centre to see Jupiter, our Moon, Mars, Saturn, star clusters and other celestial sights with telescopes and other observing aids provided by the PAA and instruction...
Blue Trail
Blue Trail The 6.2 km Blue Trail forms a portion of the Ganaraska Forest's extensive network of cross country ski trails, which have also been adapted for mountain biking, hiking, cross country running and equestrian use during the...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Tree I.D. Hike
...of National Forest Week, we welcome guests to join us on a guided tree identification hike through the Ganaraska Forest. Learn which species grow in our area, and which ones are right for your own property. Call 905.885.8173 to...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Maple Syrup Day
Tour the sap collecting route, visit the sugar shack & enjoy story-telling from historic characters who will enlighten you on this sweet tradition. Then enjoy some pioneer games & face painting before settling in for a pancake feast!...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Family Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Day
Have you visited the Ganaraska Forest in the depth of winter? It's beautiful, especially on a pair of skis!  Come see for yourself during this annual event which starts with an intro to cross-country skiing and ends with a guided ski...
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority's Maple Syrup Day
...you enjoy live music and a pancake feast. $15.00/adult & $10.00/child (16 & under) Tickets purchased at Ganaraska Forest Centre Gatehouse upon...

Ontario Trails Adds More Trails!The Ontario Trails Council is pleased to be continually updating its website with more trails, this week we are adding  Thanks to all the great folks that continue to add trails to our inventory for everybody to access!

Arrowhead PP Ice Trail

Image credit to KAT https://twitter.com/KatKX947

The Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail has generated a tremendous amount of fanfare over the last couple of years, as thousands flock north to try this breathtaking skate through the forest.
The Ice Skating Trail's season opening is always subject to weather. Over the last two seasons, the ice skating trail has been open for the first week of January until roughly the second week in March.
These dates should help you plan your winter getaway to Muskoka. A word from the wise, the best ice conditions will always be during the week, so if you are able to scoot up to Muskoka midweek, you will definitely be rewarded. If you want to start planning your winter getaway, find nearby accommodations in Huntsville.
Arrowhead Provincial Park's new ice skating trail may have garnered the park a lot of attention, but the truth is they have long been renowned as Muskoka's winter playground. The provincial park is regarded as one of the top cross country ski destinations in Ontario, with 28km of classic ski trails and 16km of skate ski trails, ranging in difficulty From beginner to expert.
The park also features a number of snowshoeing trails, with rentals for both snowshoeing and cross country skis available on site. If you want to get back to your childhood, there is a tubing hill at the park for you to whiz downhill on (tubes are provided).
If you need a break from the outdoors, the park has a number of heating stations with wood burning stoves for you to cozy up inside, perfect if you packed a lunch for your day of winter fun!


Eganridge Resort and Inn Cross Country Ski Trails

During winter months, our golf course & grounds are meticulously groomed with 4km of cross country ski trails. Trailhead sign with map available at trailhead.
Enjoy stunning vistas overlooking Sturgeon Lake, and secluded forests.
Please check-in with the Inn for more information. Food and soft drinks are available at the club house for trail users, when open. Trails are use at own risk, the resort does not provide rental equipment so bring in your own. All trail users are asked to stay on trail.
In the summer there are many canoe activities to enjoy. If you snowshoe, please snowshoe on trail but of cross country track. No motorized allowed on site. For more information, including maps, please visit our Web site at http://www.eganridge.comhttps://www.facebook.com/eganridge


Bracebridge Memorial Park Ice Skating Trail

Congratulations Bracebridge on creating an awesome enchanted park for families to enjoy!

Trusting this will be an annual winter event for skating and enjoying our beautiful town.https://www.facebook.com/MemorialParkWinterVillage/


Trailhead Hastings!


Join us at Trailhead Hastings to ask and get answers to questions such as –
  • What’s the capitalization on value of Hastings Trails?
  • Is Hastings generating its portion of the trails economy relative to the rest of the province?
  • Are we keeping pace with other places?
  • Are we ahead or behind?, are we generating our fair share of investment?
  • Where is the trail travel dollar going? – Belleville, Centre Hastings, North Hastings, Bancroft -or out of the county?
  • How are we, and who is, measuring and supporting this economy?
Ontario Trails Council leads the way in Ontario and Nationally in making communities work though trails. We’ve led the way in communities learning and understanding the benefit of building complete trail systems.
In Ontario there are roughly 108 projects each year, worth $21M of capital investment, improvement and trail revitalization. What amount of this economy happens in Hastings?

WednesdayPresenters
8:00 –8:45AM      Registration Sponsored
8:45-9:00 AMTraditional Welcome, Algonquins of Ontario
Welcome Remarks
Algonquins of Ontario
Jack De Wit, President, Ontario Trails; Minister Eleanor McMahon MTCS*
9:00-10:00 AMPanel – Establishing and Understanding The Value of TrailsBetween Communities: Trails, Heritage and Cultural AwarenessEthan Huner, Algonquins of Ontario
Utilizing Lands for Trails – A New Way Forward with First NationsKate Potter, Orland Conservation, with guests.
Common Ground:Exploring the social value of trails.Terri LeRoux, CEO Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
10:00-11:00 AMPanel – The Economics of Trails, Investment, Development and ManagementCost Effectiveness Implementing Effective Trail BuildingZane Davies, PTBA Member, Treadscape*
Earning Revenue – Implementing Integrated Trails TourismPatrick Connor, Ontario Trails Council
Implementing Standardized Trails Classification Mark Schmidt,Parks Trails Analyst, Parks Canada Visitor Experience Branch
11:00 – 12:00 NoonPanel – Understanding the Trail ConsumerCycling Routes and CycleONOntario By Bike*
Trail Lessons Learned from Local Trail DataAlexandra Brodka, Project Manager, Hamilton Burlington Trails Council
Healthy HikesNekeisha Mohammed, Communications Officer, Conservation Ontario*
12:00-1:00 PMLuncheonUpdate on Ontario Trails Legislation and Trails Action PlanCarol Oitment, Policy Advisor Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport.
1:00-2:00 PMRound Table DiscussionsHastings County TrailsWhat we have, what we want, what we earn.
2:00-3:00 PMRound Table DiscussionsRegional Trail DevelopmentWhat we have, want we could have.
3:00 – 4:00 PMRound Table DiscussionsMaking the Pieces Fit – Mapping Out SuccessRecommended Integration of support systems.
4:00- 4:45 PMPlenary FocusGoals and Objectives for Trails 2017-2020Getting a More Robust Trails System and a More complete Trails Economy in Hastings County
4:45 – 5:15Wrap-up Thanks


Ontario Trails Recognizes
"Friends of Trails"

We wish to recognize the following persons as an Ontario Trails Council "Friend of Trails"
Al McPherson, Ben Ackerman, Bonnie Simpson, Craig Mosley, Damian Bradley, Dave Clark, Douglas Thompson, Duncan McCrae, Fred Mayo, Gail Montieth, Irene Marinko, Jason Jordan, Jesse Villemere, Joanna Milczarek, Kirsten Spence, Laurel Mundt, Paul Riccatti, Sandra Stout, Sasha Co. and Your Design Vehicle. Thanks you for Being a Friend of Trails!



MTCS Community Recreation Grant FundingOntario is now accepting applications for the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) 2017–18. OSRCF is a grant program that supports the government’s vision to enable people in communities across Ontario to lead healthy, active lives. The fund increases opportunities for participation in sport and recreation, supports implementation of physical literacy as a foundation for lifelong physical activity and strengthens the community sport and recreation sector.

The deadline to apply for the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund 2017–18 is February 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Full details, including who’s eligible and how to apply, are available through Grants Ontario, the providers in your area.


OFSC WARNS SNOWMOBILERS TO KEEP SLEDS PARKED UNTIL TRAILS OPEN
Use the trail guide for the best accuracy in open and closed trails this season.




Trailhead Canada - Save the date!


Trails Tourism Integration Strategy Meetings Underway

Over the fall we have been meeting with a variety of Regional Tourism Organizations and their supporting Destination Marketing Organizations or Destination Marketing Partners as the case may be. We have been creating connectivity to these important regional product marketers in order to reinforce the importance of trails and the outdoors as tourism product, and to seek new ways to improve our connectivity to them, as we represent their efforts and your trails via the Ontario Trails Council website.

Areas for improvement or site additions include such things as:
  • having an event map
  • self directed trail or event edits
  • mapping and maps
  • guided services listings
  • improved weather reporting
  • improved trip planning with printout
  • adding trails for folks with pets to cater to the traveler with pets
  • add trekking and other unique experiences
  • re-brand off-road cycling as mountain biking, add fat-biking as a specialty
  • space for local content
  • improved site search functionality
  • more links across RTO's
  • improved forms with additional categories
  • more support route content like Wine or Arts Routes
  • event to trail linkages on trail content pages
  • cms capability to red flag broken links
  • more! trails!
We appreciate the feedback from all the marketing and branding staffs we have worked with and all the suggestions for improvement. Thank- you


Membership Renewals - Thanks to our SupportersWe wish to thank the following organizations that have already completed their membership for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your continued support. Many thanks! Renew Today!


Frontenac County

frontenac county trails



Norfolk County
norfolk trails



Hike Ontario


Town of Oakvilletown of oakville trailsExplore beyond your boundaries! Oakville's 200+ kilometres of recreational trails meander across all communities and connect all sections of the town. Information about recreational trails not currently included on this website will be updated as it becomes available.
You can plan your cycling or walking route through the town's beautiful trails and roadways with the Cycle, Walk Oakville map.
You may notice that trees have been removed from some trails. This is part of the town's ongoing efforts to remove dead and dying ash trees destroyed by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) to ensure public safety and to help the forest regrow. Visit the Woodlands Hazard Abatement page to learn more.

Membership Benefits
INFORMATION AND FUNDING
  • OTC Trails and Event page representation
  • Representation on OTC trails maps
  • Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people
  • Fund Development through grant writing, grant support
ACCESS AND INFLUENCE
  • Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport
  • Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee
  • Office services and networking support
BEST PRACTICES
  • Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange
  • Access to Professional Development sessions
  • Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
  • Access to Trail Insurance Broker
  • Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network
  • Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution

2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF     2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC

CATEGORIES
Become a "Friend of Trails"
  • Savings on conference/seminar registration
  • Monthly e-bulletins
  • Access to OTC trails database
  • Great gift price!
  • Savings on trail literature/maps
$26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST)
Benefits to Student
  • Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise
  • Access to OTC trails information
  • Conference and selected literature savings
  • * must provide student verification
$21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST)

Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks,
trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units
and other trail-related supporting organizations.
BaseHSTTotal
Small Non-profit,
Small Organizations
$109.27$14.20$123.47
Conservation Authorities,
Medium Municipalities,
Counties, Regional
Tourism Organizations
$273.18$35.51$308.69
Municipalities,
Provincial Level
Organizations
>5000 users
$819.54$106.54$926.0

Monday, January 2, 2017

Ontario Trails News - Trailhead Hastings, Trails and Events Added, Be a Friend of Trails and more about Ontario Trails!

Ontario Trails Adds More Events!

running room run to quit program

The Ontario Trails Council is pleased that our event calendar continues to have a healthy living focus and we would like to thank The Running Room for their timely submissions.

Is your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking? Whether your motivation is to get healthy or save money, to quit smoking for a loved one or for yourself. The important thing is you’ve made the decision to quit. Exercising to quit smoking?

Yes! The program has been shown to help smokers cope with discomfort and cravings through its simple step-by-step approach to building up walking or running stamina while cutting down and quitting smoking.

This year, walk or run to a smoke-free life by joining Run to Quit at: The Running Room Whitby 80 Thickson Rd South Whitby, ON L1N 7T2 Start Date: April 11, 2017 For more information visit runtoquit.com or call (905) 665-2060.

Also try their Virtual Run to Quit Program!
http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/connect/events/view/5142


Ontario Trails Adds More Trails!
The Ontario Trails Council is pleased to be continually updating its website with more trails, this week we are adding Merv's Landing, Wemtagoosh Falls Trail and Hardy Lake Trail in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Thanks to all the great folks that continue to add trails to our inventory for everybody to access!


Merv's Landing

merv's landing trail

Hardy Lake Trail - Township of Muskoka Lakeshardy lake trail township of muskoka lakes

Wemtagoosh Falls Trail

wemtagoosh falls trail


Trailhead Hastings!
In Canada and Ontario, Trails are big business. Trailhead Hastings will bring the business of trails into local and county focus.

In Ontario there are 430 communities with trails, in all regions, supporting over 20 types of activities.
The annual provincial economic impact of recreational trails is approximately $9.4 billion – hiking $1.32B, snowmobiling $1.2B, other motorized, $1B, fundraising through trails, $1.5B, equestrian, $2B, and the Trans Canada Trail when connected – $2.4B.

Join us at Trailhead Hastings to ask and get answers to questions such as – What’s the capitalization on value of Hastings Trails? Is Hastings generating its portion of the trails economy relative to the rest of the province? Are we keeping pace with other places? Are we ahead or behind?, are we generating our fair share of investment? Where is the trail travel dollar going? – Belleville, Centre Hastings, North Hastings, Bancroft -or out of the county? How are we, and who is, measuring and supporting this economy?

Ontario Trails Council leads the way in Ontario and Nationally in making communities work though trails. We’ve led the way in communities learning and understanding the benefit of building complete trail systems.

In Ontario there are roughly 108 projects each year, worth $21M of capital investment, improvement and trail revitalization. What amount of this economy happens in Hastings?
Is Hastings, and the places in it –  a destination, an experience or a flow through point for traffic that starts and ends elsewhere? Are we developing links? Do dollars stay here, or do they pass us by? How do we get the trail dollar to support our county?

trailhead hastings vision
How do we develop links, such as through Tyendinaga to Deseronto, dynamic trail centres in Wollaston, Coe Hill, Gilmour,, through Apsley to points west, or Bancroft to Denbigh, or from Whitney to Lake St. Peter.

Join us as the Ontario Trails Council brings knowledge experts from across Ontario and Canada – developers of word class trails systems – as they lend our communities their knowledge so Hastings can have an improved, maximized, robust, sustainable trails economy, one that achieves better health, better mental health, savings on health care, more active kids and a better environment – through existing and future greenways and trails.

If you are a trail user, club supporter, volunteer, county staff in health, economic development, tourism, or a land manager of parks, county forest, conservation area or federal lands – you will want to join us in order to be part of our discussion on Hastings Centric development plans, supportive policies, leading maintenance techniques, as well as  opportunities for new services, supported business, revitalized communities.

Since 2005 the Ontario Trails Council has worked to secure $125 million in Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport funding, the Ontario Trails Strategy, the Ontario Trails Act, supported over $4 million in grants from Great Lakes Guardian, FedNor, Ontario Heritage, Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Investments, developed trails through INAC Funds with first Nations,  gained supportive grants for our partners from CDFC, and Ontario Trillium Foundation, all the while putting over 800 Ontarians to work through federal economic stimulus funds of $4 million dollars, matched by $4 million in local supports.

hastings county parks and trails
If you want more opportunity for Hastings county, and make a difference with Ontario Trails support, join us in Bancroft, March 1st at Trailhead Hastings.
You’ll be glad you did!

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 Website. 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 organizations, 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.

donate to ontario trails
 

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Ontario Trails News - Happy Holidays! Ontario's Best Hikes, Trailhead Hastings, G2G Trail, Volunteer support and more from Ontario Trails!

Ontario Trails Council wishes all the best of the season!



Ontario's Best Hikes references OTC


New Bridges Needed On Guelph To Goderich Rail Trail

BY 

DECEMBER 12, 2016 1:50PMFundraising for the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail has reached over $185,000.
Organizers are hoping to have the trail cleared and groomed smooth enough for walking and hiking by spring. Cyclistg2g trails may find it a little rough
They also expect to have significant sections of the trail wide and smooth enough for wheelchairs in the summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.
The big challenge ahead is the repair, restoration or replacement of bridges–gaps with currently must be circumnavigated using roads.
The bridges over the Grand, Conestoga and Maitland Rivers need to be replaced.
Now that the trail is fully leased, and 98% open, major fundraising will begin for $3.5-million in upgrades.
The 127 km abandoned rail trail is being redeveloped as a fully accessible path for non-motorized uses.

Trailhead Hastings!
 Thanks to Joanna - for all your posts - all year!

silver creek conservation

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 Website. 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 organizations, 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.

donate to ontario trails

Membership Renewals - Thanks to our SupportersWe wish to thank the following organizations that have already completed their membership for 2017. We couldn't do our work without your continued support. Many thanks!

City of Niagara Fallsniagara falls canada trails

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authoritycentral lake ontario conservation

Waterfront Regeneration Trustgreat lakes waterfront trail

Municipality of Mississippi Millsexplore mississippi mills

Town of Claringtonclarington ontario trails

City of Barriebarrie ontario trails

Toronto and Region Conservation Authoritytoronto region conservation ontario trails

Town of Caledon
caledon ontario trails

Rainbow Routes Associationrainbow routes association ontario trails

Ontario Parks Association
ontario parks association

Conservation Sudburyconservation sudbury ontario trails

City of Burlingtonburlington ontario trails

Voyageur Multi-Use Trail Systemvoyageur multi-use trail system

Ken Hoevermanken hoeverman dirt bike trails
 


Membership Benefits
INFORMATION AND FUNDING
  • OTC Trails and Event page representation
  • Representation on OTC trails maps
  • Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people
  • Fund Development through grant writing, grant support,
  • Fund seeking AND donation management
  • OTC Policy Statements guide decision makers
  • Strategic Planning for Members
  • Survey's and Data Exchange, Trail Counts
  • Education Posters and Program
ACCESS AND INFLUENCE
  • Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport
  • Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee
  • Office services and networking support
  • Advocacy benefits - provincially and nationally
  • Infrastructure funds flow to members first
  • Directorships, Awards and Business Impactors
BEST PRACTICES
  • Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange
  • Access to Professional Development sessions
  • Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops
  • Regional Trail Management Committee Development
  • Discounts on Trailhead Events
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
  • Access to Trail Insurance Broker
  • Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network
  • Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution
  • Trail Auditing, assessment, signage and inclusion
  • Trail Training, College Level Education Certificates
2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF     
2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC

CATEGORIES
Become a "Friend of Trails"
  • Savings on conference/seminar registration
  • Monthly e-bulletins
  • Access to OTC trails database
  • Great gift price!
  • Savings on trail literature/maps
$26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST)
Benefits to Student
  • Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise
  • Access to OTC trails information
  • Conference and selected literature savings
  • * must provide student verification
$21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST)

Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks,
trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units
and other trail-related supporting organizations.
BaseHSTTotal
Small Non-profit,
Small Organizations
$109.27$14.20$123.47
Conservation Authorities,
Medium Municipalities,
Counties, Regional
Tourism Organizations
$273.18$35.51$308.69
Municipalities,
Provincial Level
Organizations
>5000 users
$819.54$106.54$926.08

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Ontario Trails News - Ministry Grants (OSRCF), Snowmobile warnings, CycleON Consultations, Trails Tourism Consultations and more about Ontario's trails!

Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport announces Community Recreation Funding
Ontario is now accepting applications for the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) 2017–18. OSRCF is a grant program that supports the government’s vision to enable people in communities across Ontario to lead healthy, active lives. The fund increases opportunities for participation in sport and recreation, supports implementation of physical literacy as a foundation for lifelong physical activity and strengthens the community sport and recreation sector.

The deadline to apply for the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund 2017–18 is February 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Full details, including who’s eligible and how to apply, are available through Grants Ontario, the government’s one-window access to information about grants. To contact the ministry, please email OSRCF@Ontario.ca

Please feel free to share this notice with your members or other sport and recreation partners and providers in your area.
_______________________________________________________________
L’Ontario accepte maintenant les demandes au Fonds ontarien d’action communautaire pour les sports et les loisirs (FOACSL) pour 2017-18.

Le FOACSL est un programme de subventions qui appuie la vision du gouvernement permettant aux gens dans des communautés partout en Ontario de mener une vie saine et active. Le Fonds augmente les possibilités de participation à des sports et des loisirs, soutient la mise en Å“uvre du savoir-faire physique comme fondement de l’activité physique et renforce le secteur du sport et des loisirs communautaires.

La date limite pour présenter une demande au Fonds ontarien d’action communautaire pour les sports et les loisirs pour 2017-18 est le 1er février 2017 à 17 h HNE.

Des informations complètes, y compris sur l’admissibilité et comment présenter une demande, sont disponibles à Subventions Ontario, un guichet unique d’accès à l’information gouvernementale sur les subventions.

Pour contacter le ministère, veuillez envoyer un courriel à l’adresse OSRCF@Ontario.ca.

N’hésitez pas à partager cet annonce avec vos membres ou autres partenaires et prestataires en sport et loisirs de votre région.

OFSC WARNS SNOWMOBILERS TO KEEP SLEDS PARKED UNTIL TRAILS OPEN

ontario federation of snowmobile clubs(Barrie, ON – December 14, 2016) - With early snow on the ground and more forecast this week in some parts of Ontario, winter’s on the way and so is the 2017 snowmobiling season. But it’s not time to start sledding yet, so for safety’s sake and to avoid trespass on private property, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) cautions snowmobilers to keep their sleds parked and stay off OFSC trails because they are not open yet.

Even going for a short snowmobile ride can be very dangerous at this time of year with the existing poor conditions. The ground, waterways and swamps are not frozen yet, nor is there enough snow base to protect yourself or your sled from terrain irregularities or other obstacles.

Grooming operations have not started yet, so no OFSC trails are available to ride and all access to trails on private property remain closed. Snowmobilers are also reminded to stay off public roads and avoid trespassing on farmers’ fields.
For updates on trail status across Ontario, the OFSC recommends that prior to accessing a trail that snowmobilers visit the Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca to confirm trail availability.

244 People want the Prescott-Russell Rail Trail saved!
SIGN OUR PETITION TO SAVE THE TRAIL! COUNCIL MET AND CUT THE BUDGET
prescott-russell trails petition

OTC visited Prescott Russell and met with Council and the Economic Development Committee. There may be operating budget cuts in the near future but there is a desire to save the trail, although it may not be 72 continuous kilometers. Road links are being studied between nodes. 

We encourage the people signing the petition to work with UCPR and OTC to find ways to re-negotiate the lease with Via so we can make the corridor multi-use, which would enable cost recovery, new funding for capital projects and engage more members of the community to utilize the trail in the future.

If you want to help please contact Louise Bissonette with Sentiers Prescott Russell! Merci.

Cycling Consultations Completedontario trails ontario cycling consultations
Thank you very much again for your interest and participation in the study to help identify Ontario’s Province-wide Cycling Network. We hope that the regional workshop session you attended was informative; providing you with:
  • Background information on the study;
  • Context on the intended outcomes;
  • An overview of the process being used to identify the network; and
  • An opportunity to be engaged in the study process.
As noted at the regional workshops, we would encourage those of you who were able to attend to continue to review and provide comments on the materials presented. We would also encourage you to reach out to any of your partners that did not have a chance to attend the session to share the information provided and provide questions / comments to the study team.

The study team has consolidated the materials presented at the workshop sessions and uploaded them to DropBox. They can be accessed using the following link: MTO Cycling Network Study Dropbox
*Please click on the proceed without signing up option at the bottom of the page if you do not already have an account

We have uploaded network concept mapping (route options and alternatives that could form part of the province-wide cycling network (priority routes) or link up to the province-wide cycling network (secondary routes)) for each of the MTO Regions. We are in the process of uploading maps illustrating the network concept in zoom in areas of the Upper Tier Municipalities. The zoom in maps will be uploaded to the site by first thing tomorrow morning. Please select the mapping that is most appropriate for your jurisdiction. We would also encourage you to review the workshop presentation. The presentation will give you the necessary context to better understand the information that we are asking you to review and comment on.

Best,
#CycleON - MTO Province-wide Cycling Network Identification Study
On behalf of the Study Team
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T: 905-882-7306
E: mtocyclingnetwork@mmm.ca


Trails Tourism Integration Strategy Meetings Underway

Over the fall we have been meeting with a variety of Regional Tourism Organizations and their supporting Destination Marketing Organizations or Destination Marketing Partners as the case may be.

We have been creating connectivity to these important regional product marketers in order to reinforce the importance of trails and the outdoors as tourism product, and to seek new ways to improve our connectivity to them, as we represent their efforts and your trails via the Ontario Trails Council website.
 
During each session we discussed:
  • Current RTO+DMO Tourism Strategies
  • Current Outdoor Activity Marketing
  • Existing Trail Inventory
  • Identify Gaps
  • Consolidate Events
  • Review Ontariotrails.ca Trails Marketing
  • New Content Initiatives
  • Share Data and Data Gathering Processes
  • Review TTIP Action Plan Outlines
  • Define Next Steps
Areas for improvement or site additions include such things as:
  • having an event map
  • self directed traill or event edits
  • mapping and maps
  • guided services listings
  • improved weather reporting
  • improved trip planning with printout
  • adding trails for folks with pets to cater to the traveller with pets
  • add trekking and other unique experiences
  • re-brand off-road cycling as mountain biking, add fat-biking as a speciality
  • space for local content
  • improved site search functionality
  • more links across RTO's
  • improved forms with additional categories
  • more support route content like Wine or Arts Routes
  • event to trail linkages on trail content pages
  • cms capability to red flag broken links
  • more! trails!
We appreciate the feedback from all the marketing and branding staffs we have worked with and all the suggestions for improvement.

Thank- you
Membership Renewal Time

ontario trails join
In 2016 the Ontario Trails Council membership got: a re-charged Ontario Trails Strategy, the first ever Provincial Trails Act - a commitment to better working by government with the Ontario Trails Council, acceptance of our 9 point program by the Premier reflected in the Minister's Cabinet Letter, new Regional Trail Committees (Guelph Trail Council), $3.3 Million in federal funding for communities (NOT OTC!), trail projects in Ontario equaling $21M, and $3.5 million to complete the Trans Canada Trail Ontario.
TESTIMONIALS
"New trails are still to be developed in Ontario. Existing trails need to be maintained and expanded. Trail organizations in Ontario need one common voice to advocate for them. We need a central source to promote funding opportunities and act as a communications link between trail groups. More than ever, trail groups need to stick together and speak as one mind. OTC is the organization that can assist us all in those regards. A significant benefit of being an OTC member is the website itself -- a great resource for information and access to like-minded organizations. The research we require is most often sourced directly through the OTC office or by expansion through OTC member organizations. It's where we go for answers and direction."
 - Ray Gilbert, Executive Director, Bruce Grey Trail Network
 ____________________________________________________________
"The OTC provides us with the ability to communicate and collaborate with industry stakeholders, professionals and advocates. It also provides us with the tools to develop our own capacities, skills and networks. As well, it is important to back to the OTC and trail communities in our province. Being an OTC member allows us to benefit from the knowledge of other members through education and professional development opportunities such as the Trailhead Ontario conference, and through professional networking. The OTC is the influential body that will help guide and shape the political, professional and physical landscape of trails in Ontario. Joining the OTC provides an opportunity to be part of this process: to both contribute and gain knowledge in a community of passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations."
 - Damian Bradley, Cycling advocate and Developer Guelph Regional Trails Council
 __________________________________________________
"Trails and trail development is a significant topic within North Grenville because of the positive impact trails have on a community - quality of life, tourism, broad spectrum of users etc. As a member of the OTC, we have the opportunity to learn how to promote and manage our trails program in a more professional manner. The OTC was the obvious choice. To date, we have benefitted from our membership in these ways:
  • making personal contacts with provincial, national and international leaders in the trails movement
  • access to the Trailhead Ontario conference, which was a watershed event for the three North Grenville staff who attended
  • being able to promote the trails movement in Eastern Ontario, it has provided a more credible position from which to advocate trails
 Once we have our trails master plan in place we will take full advantage of posting and promoting our trails on the OTC website. Trails are the future - if you really want to be part of the trails movement in Ontario, you need to be a member of the OTC."
 Forbes Symon, Director of Planning and Development, County of North Grenville
Membership Benefits
INFORMATION AND FUNDING
  • OTC Trails and Event page representation
  • Representation on OTC trails maps
  • Social Media represents you to 60,000+ people
  • Fund Development through grant writing, grant support,
  • Fund seeking AND donation managEment
  • OTC Policy Statements guide decision makers
  • Strategic Planning for Members
  • Survey's and Data Exchange, Trail Counts
  • Education Posters and Program
ACCESS AND INFLUENCE
  • Connectivity to the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport
  • Leadership at the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee
  • Office services and networking support
  • Advocacy benefits - provincially and nationally
  • Infrastructure funds flow to members first
  • Directorships, Awards and Business Impactors
BEST PRACTICES
  • Partnership Support and Knowledge exchange
  • Access to Professional Development sessions
  • Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Workshops
  • Regional Trail Management Committee Development
  • Discounts on Trailhead Events
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
  • Access to Trail Insurance Broker
  • Option on registration in Trillium Trail Network
  • Local, regional or provincial User conflict resolution
  • Trail Auditing, assessment, signage and inclusion
  • Trail Training, College Level Education Certificates
2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - PDF   
2017 MEMBERSHIP FORM - WORD DOC

CATEGORIES
Become a "Friend of Trails"
  • Savings on conference/seminar registration
  • Monthly e-bulletins
  • Access to OTC trails database
  • Great gift price!
  • Savings on trail literature/maps
$26.52 + $3.45 = $29.97 (includes 13% HST)
Benefits to Student
  • Editions of the OTC newsletter Trailwise
  • Access to OTC trails information
  • Conference and selected literature savings
  • * must provide student verification
$21.21 + $2.75 = $23.96 (includes 13% HST)

Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks,
trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units
and other trail-related supporting organizations.
 BaseHSTTotal
Small Non-profit,
Small Organizations
$109.27$14.20$123.47
Conservation Authorities,
Medium Municipalities,
Counties, Regional
Tourism Organizations
$273.18$35.51$308.69
Municipalities,
Provincial Level
Organizations
>5000 users
$819.54$106.54$926.08

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 Website. 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 organizations, 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.

donate to ontario trails