Author: Ontario Trails

The Ontario Trails Council (OTC) - Conseil des Sentiers de l'Ontario – is a charity that promotes the development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails in Ontario. http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/

Rocky Mountain Books publisher Don Gorman on selling outdoor guides during a pandemic

July 9, 2020

Victoria’s Rocky Mountain Books relies on people heading into the great outdoors for its guidebook sales. But in the early days of COVID-19, it was unclear when or if recreational trails would open. But as restrictions in provincial parks began to lift, RMB launched its “Great Canadian Staycation” campaign, promoting safe distancing and outdoor recreation.

RMB publisher Don Gorman spoke to Q&Q about the guidebook business.

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Conserving all-Canadian wildlife just one part of the puzzle – Dan Kraus, Trail Times

July 9, 2020

“Canada plays a critical role in protecting many of these plants and animals.”

Every nation plays an important role in stopping wildlife extinction.

Here in Canada, we have an estimated 80,000 known wild species. They range from pygmy shrew to polar bear, and from stellate sedge to Sitka spruce.

Canada plays a critical role in protecting many of these plants and animals.

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Province invests in better pedestrian and cyclist framework for Northern B.C. – EnergeticCity.ca

June 25, 2020

HARTLEY BAY, B.C. – The Province announced Wednesday that the Active Transportation Grants program will be helping to rebuild some of British Columbia’s economy after the pandemic and meet CleanBC’s climate goals.

Residents from six northern communities will be able to benefit from new and improved pedestrian and cycling framework.

The B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program helps to provide Indigenous governments, municipalities, and regional districts with the financial support they need to build new infrastructure and to make any improvements to existing networks. This program helps to support goals that have been set out within the Province’s CleanBC plan, as well as Move. Commute. Connect. -B.C’s strategy for a cleaner, more active form of transportation. These programs help to meet the climate action targets that will help to reduce the province’s carbon footprint and improve air quality for all residents.

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COVID-19 Outdoors: Toronto Health Officials See No Signs Of Rising Cases From Outdoor Contact – HUFF Post

June 25, 2020

When Torontonians were spotted crowding beaches this past weekend, the public shaming followed. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the photos that came out of Cherry Beach looked more like South Beach, Florida.

“And you’ve seen what happened down in Florida,” said Ford during a Monday briefing. “There [were] 4,000 cases in one day the other day.

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Annual Canada Day Paddle goes Virtual – SooToday.com

June 25, 2020

The Parade of Paddles is an annual event that celebrates Canada Day, with the goal being to fill the lock with as many canoes or kayaks as possible. Due to COVID-19 and physical distancing restrictions still in place, the challenge this year will be for paddlers to take the vessel of their choice to their favourite paddling spot, instead of the Sault Canal, says an event post on Facebook.

To participate in the challenge, paddlers are asked to simply take photos of themselves paddling at their spot and share the photos on the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site’s Facebook page. 

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From Bill Goulding of Sustainable Trails Inc.

June 19, 2020

On Wednesday our crew placed the bridge beams across the Crow Gulch waterfall – 30 feet high – on the Gros Morne Mountain trail. We constructed false work or scaffolding so that we could use a smaller (and much cheaper alternative for the Park) helicopter. The bridge is 72 feet long. By the end of the week we will be driving our machines across. Note that the photo was taken from the top of the waterfall.

SUSTAINABLE TRAILS INC.

Yukoners discover local hikes – YukonNews.com

June 19, 2020

“Everybody’s just getting outside”

Scenic views, narrow trails — sometimes along steep ridges — and selfies showing smiling faces amid vast wilderness.

More of these images appear to be popping up on the social media feeds of Yukoners as they take to trails near their home in a season where organized summer activities have been cancelled and vacationing outside the territory is not a possibility until at least July when the border with British Columbia may open up.

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Cyclists find physical distance heaven at Hardwood – BarrieToday.com

June 19, 2020

This summer, local mountain bike riders are missing one of their favourite weekly events – the popular Wednesday Night Bike Race series – which has taken place at Hardwood Ski and Bike in Oro-Medonte for the past 25 years.

“This is the first time we’ve had to cancel,” said Arienne Strong, program manager at Hardwood, which is located north of Barrie on Old Barrie Road. “Cancellation of this event is especially tough because the series is like having a family reunion every week – kids, families, competitive team members – everyone comes together for the races. It’s exciting and fun and something we all look forward to so much.”

The decision to cancel this year’s series, which involves an average of 180 riders at each of the events held over the 18-week season, was made in May as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and an announcement by Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association to cancel all events up until August 2020.

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