New bike trail in Wasaga Beach

June 1st is International Trails Day and Wasaga Beach will be opening a new 20 km Bike Trail through various Provincial Parks in Wasaga Beach. This trail was the dream of Harold Culham who was known as Mr. Trails in Wasaga Beach, and passed away last year.

A promise was made to him by Ontario Parks staff and the Town of Wasaga Beach that this trail would be completed and opened for the public to enjoy. There will be an official dedication of a monument in Harold Culham’s memory at Schoonertown Park.

The Wasaga Ganaraska Hiking Club will also be hosting a 5 km hike on the Schooner Town Loop Trail for the general public.

Stay tuned for further details.

Uhthoff Trail extension opening May 10, 2013

Uhthoff Trail Opening Invitation

Opening ceremonies for the official opening of the Uhthoff Trail extension between Coldwater and Waubaushene are scheduled for Friday May 10, 2013 at 3 PM at the trailhead in Coldwater on Sturgeon Bay Road. Detailed agenda to follow. Save the date!!

But if you can’t wait that long… the rail trail is already open for walking and cycling.

So come and visit this newest section of the Trans Canada Trail in Simcoe County, which closes the gap that existed in the Trans Canada Trail as well as in the Simcoe County Trails Network.

Trail graduates

On March 24, 2013, 13 trail volunteers from Simcoe County graduated from an Emergency First Aid Course at Horseshoe Resort, and on April 6, 2013, 18 graduated from Hike Ontario’s Hike Leader Certification course, which was held in partnership with the Barrie Canoe & Kayak Club. Both courses were hosted by Simcoe County Trails, with sponsorship of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Thank you David Neave for an excellent First Aid course,
and thanks to Luis Costa and Sue Simons for delivering a great Hike Leader Certification course.

Congrats to all the graduates!

Atherley Narrows Bridge – Open House May 27, 2013

The City of Orilia, in partnership with the Township of Ramara and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, is undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study to assess the opportunity to provide a recreational trail connection across the Atherley Narrows, enhance existing cultural heritage features and establish a place of ceremony for Aboriginal people.

The public meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2013, 7 – 9 PM, ath the Orillia City Centre.

For more information download: Atherley Bridge Notice of Study Commencement_PIC #1 FINAL Mar’13_

Off Road Vehicle trails – Management Workshop

This May 14-17, 2013 workshop, hosted by the Municipality of Highlands East, Sustainable Trails and the NOHVCC, will interest land managers, recreation planners, resource specialists, and leadership representatives from OHV recreation and stakeholder communities.

The Workshop takes place at the Robert Mccausland Centre, in Gooderham, Ontario.
Download here: OHV_Workshop May 2013

For more information contact ken@sustainabletrails.com 705-455.2980.

Emergency First Aid Course For Volunteers

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A TRAIL EMERGENCY?

Emergency First Aid Course For Trail Volunteers

Sunday March 24, 2013
9 am – 5 pm
Horsehoe Valley Resort – Simcoe Room

$ 40 (for trail volunteers) $ 60 (for family and friends)

To register contact:

Frieda Baldwin, Simcoe County Trails. Email now! 705-245-1005

The course includes first aid for remote locations as well as CPR and the use of a defibrillator. Each participant will receive a certificate and a full colour manual.

Learn to be a Certified Hike Leader

Hike Leader Certification Course Learn to Lead Hikes Safely

Saturday April 6, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location:
Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club Southshore Centre, Barrie

Course Content: Leadership Styles and Responsibilities, Risk Management, Describing Hikes, Introducing Hikes, Responding to Incidents, Car Shuttles, Special Hikes, Environmental Appreciation.

This course is designed to train leaders to appropriately advertise and safely lead day hikes within 2 kilometers of EMS support. Candidates will practice introducing a hike and responding effectively to simulated scenarios to achieve the best outcome for their hikers.
Issues such as insurance, waiver forms, incident reports, etc will be covered. Principles of Risk Management will be covered through discussion and in simulated situations.

Course pre-requisite: hiking experience (minimum of 5 days), and willingness to lead 4 day hikes, following certification.

Course fee: $50 (regular fee $75, but subsidized by Huronia Trails and Greenways).

Participants receive a manual, wallet card, certificate of completion and hike leader badge. As an additional incentive, we also offer a 1 year free membership in the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association ($25 value) following course completion.

This certification course is offered by Hike Ontario, in partnership with the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association, the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club and Huronia Trails and Greenways.

For more information, contact Frieda Baldwin 705-245-1005 or info@simcoetrails.ca