TRAIL WISE the ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER - July 13, 2026
• Project Funding Builds Trails •
• Activity on Ontario Trails • #ontariotrailnews
• Trail Projects • Updates • Member Services • #canadiantrailnews
 Ontario Trails Council is a charity, led by a volunteer board of directors, that promotes the use, management, development, and preservation of trails and trail-based activities in Ontario.
Please consider supporting us through a donation or a membership. Thanks.
TOP TRAIL NEWS 
 Please see the job posting for Part-Time Trail Coordinator - open until July 13, 2026
Add your Voice Ontario!
 Trans Canada Trail is supporting a national research study on the State of the Trail sector in Canada. The research is being conducted by UNITY Workforce Strategies, a women-led, Canadian research and consulting firm.The State of the Trail Sector study looks at how trails are used, supported, and experienced across the country, including both day-to-day use and the work involved in governance, stewardship, and funding. The insights gathered through this study will help build a clearer picture of the trail sector across Canada, supporting stronger planning, coordination, and understanding of the conditions shaping trails in different communities and contexts. We hope the findings will be useful to organizations, communities, and partners working to sustain and strengthen trails over time. As part of this, we’re inviting you to take part and to help circulate the survey within your networks. The survey link below will guide respondents to the questions most relevant to them. Organizations can share perspectives on stewardship, funding, governance, and coordination, while individuals can share their experiences using and accessing trails. Some people may be relevant to both. The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Take the survey: https://www.research.net/r/TrailSectorv4
ONTARIO TRAIL PROJECTS AND FUNDING How to build memorable mountain bike trails with Aaron Rogers, CEO of Rock SolidSingletracks.comWhat was the first mountain bike trail you ever built? · Before starting Rock Solid, you were the president of the Copper Harbor Trails Club. · What ...
 Seed grant applications open in JulySeed grants are available to help non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and First Nations improve how they deliver programs and services that directly benefit community members. Projects need to focus on organizational planning, piloting a new program, or building capacity to plan for future programs and services.
The grant application period is from July 22, 2026, to August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Conestogo River Bridge Update |
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In April, the recommended design for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Conestogo River was approved. The bridge will reconnect the G2G Rail Trail between Powell Road and Line 86 near the Village of Wallenstein, closing a long-standing gap in the trail and creating a safer, more seamless route for trail users.
The project has now entered the detailed design phase. Based on technical studies of the site, the project team is refining the bridge design to minimize environmental impacts while ensuring the structure is durable, accessible, and built to serve the community for many years.
While construction had originally been anticipated for 2026, the timeline has shifted as several final permits, approvals, and technical requirements still need to be completed before work can begin. These steps are important to ensure the project meets environmental, regulatory, and safety requirements and can move forward responsibly.
Detailed design and permitting work will continue through the fall, with construction now expected to begin in late 2026 or 2027. The goal remains to open the new bridge to trail users in 2027.
We understand that many trail users have been looking forward to this connection and may be disappointed by the delay. Thank you for your patience, enthusiasm, and continued support as the project team works through the final steps needed to bring this important bridge to completion.
Read more . . . |
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Do you have Tourism Investment Lands? Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) and the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Gaming (MTCG) are partnering to host their annual EDCO Invest Table: Tourism Edition (previously named Tourism Investment Dragons) on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. This event offers municipalities the opportunity to get to pitch their tourism ready sites to interested investors over a quick 15-minute meeting rotation. Apply to be one of the municipalities selected to participate. Complete the online application form to outline up to two tourism-ready investment sites along with any supportive initiatives. Applications will be evaluated based on the strength and clarity of their tourism opportunity and its potential impact to the local and regional economies. Selected municipalities will be contacted in early September to confirm participation. Complete the online application form to outline up to two tourism-ready investment sites along with any supportive initiatives. Application window opens this Friday, June 26th! Application deadline is Friday, July 31st, 2026. |
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PLACES, PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES
Ontario’s July 2026 trail event calendar is packed with major running and cycling events, ranging from scenic wilderness 7k runs to grueling 100-mile ultramarathons and gravel rides.  Top organized trail events for July 2026 include: - The Limberlost Challenge (Huntsville): Held on July 4, 2026 at the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve. This beautiful, 10,000-acre private wilderness reserve hosts distances ranging from a 1K kid’s fun run to a 56K ultra. Details are available on The Limberlost Challenge official site or Race Roster. [1, 2, 3]
- Summit 700 Trail Runs (Blue Mountain Resort): Taking place on July 11, 2026. This event features a timed 700ft climb of the Niagara Escarpment, 5K, 10K, 21K, and 50K ultramarathon distances. For more information, visit the Blue Mountain Resort events page. [1]
- The First Blaze Trail Race (Milton): On July 11, 2026. This Athletics Ontario-sanctioned trail event partners with La Sportiva for shoe demos. Register or view details on Race Roster. [1, 2]
- 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Area 8 (Milton): Happening on July 18, 2026. A family-friendly event offering kid’s races, plus 8.1K, 16.2K, and 24.2K Grit courses through beautiful conservation area trails. Track the schedule at 5 Peaks Trail Running. [1, 2, 3]
- Tally in the Valley Trail Race (Hamilton area): Scheduled for July 25, 2026. This event takes place in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and features a 7K, 21K, 100-mile challenge, and 6-, 12-, and 24-hour time-based events. View options and register on Race Roster. [1]
- Kick & Push Century (Sharbot Lake): A gravel riding event on July 19, 2026, offering 50km and 100km courses. Find out more on the Ontario By Bike calendar. [1]
Please see the Ontario Trails Events Page for more information. Free Family Events in Ontario This July - ToDoOntarioToDoOntario... hiking trails, waterfront adventures, and seasonal experiences across the province. Whether you're planning a summer road trip, a family outing ... 
Join Ontario Trails Council
We thank all those that join and support our work, individuals play a significant role locally and work with us to make change provincially! Thank-you.NEW Member ProfileAspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
 Our goal at Aspen Valley is to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Once rehabilitated, we release these animals back into the wild for a second chance. Aspen Valley also provides forever homes for native species that cannot be released back into the wild due to human interference. Our motto at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is to ‘keep wildlife wild’. We believe that it is best for all species, including humans if wild animals are allowed to live their lives uninterrupted by human interference. If an animal causes you to pause, we want you to be well informed. Check out our fact sheets on living with wildlife and learn how to co-exist Beavers - Black Bears - Deer - Raccoons - Skunks - Squirrels - Rabbits - MiceThese are but a few of the situations we invite you to learn more about!
Payment Methods: call 613-484-1140 to Pay by Credit Card.
 
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A TRCA Conservation Parks Membership gives you unlimited ... - Instagram