Trail Patrol Program

HTG Trail Patrol Team

Huronia Trails and Greenways' Trail Patrol team is a new volunteer group in Simcoe County. Trail patrollers monitor shared-use trails to promote safety, and increase awareness among users. This program is intended to compliment the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs' STOP program, by monitoring shared-use trails year round.

Join the Trail Patrol team, perhaps with friends or family members, and have fun while helping to make our trails safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Why Do We Need Trail Patrol In Simcoe County?

Volunteers across the county work hard to build and maintain trails for people to enjoy. There are trails for every activity including hiking, biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, X-C-skiing, snowshoeing, and ATVing. However, not every trail permits all of these activities.

Unfortunately non-permitted users can cause damage, upset other users and adjacent landowners. Even permitted users can cause damage when the trail is wet. In many cases these users are simply not aware that their activity is not permitted or damaging.

Trail Patrollers educate users about permitted activities and direct them to appropriate trails. Patrollers also educate users about preventing damage to the trail.

Trail users may experience a problem while on the trail. Whether its a flat tire, a sprained ankle, heat stroke, or your sled is out of gas, trail patrollers are there to help.

Trail Patrollers carry bike repair kits, wrench sets and cellular phones in case of emergency. They can provide emergency phone numbers and directions to local emergency centres.

Shared-use trails are special places in a community where a variety of people gather to enjoy nature and have fun. On an outing you could meet a horse and rider, a snowmobiler, a skier, and a hiker on the same trail! When encountering other trail users it is important for everyone to know proper trail behaviour.

Trail Patrollers will share information about proper trail etiquette to ensure the safety of all users.

Maintaining a trail involves a variety of tasks including picking up litter, cleaning up branches and fallen trees after storms, shoulder trimming, and repairing damage caused by vandalism.

Trail Patrollers monitor the trail conditions and report any damage and maintenance issues to the trail contact person.

Our scenic trails across Simcoe County attract many tourists to the area. Visitors come to participate in a variety of activities on our trails, but often are not aware of the history of the trail and other area attractions.

Trail patrollers can provide contact information for local tourism offices, and can distribute pamphlets on some of the area's attractions.

There are many fun and exciting trail events each year across the county. Volunteers are always needed to help with these events in a variety of ways.

Trail Patrollers are invited (but not required) to volunteer at these events, to promote the Trail Patrol program and lend a helping hand.

Trail Patrol Requirements

The minimum age to join the Trail patrol is 16.

Patrol 6 hours minimum per month at your convenience on any shared-use trail participating in the program in Simcoe County.

Patrol on your bike, horse, ATV, skis, snowshoes, snowmobile or on foot (dependent on permitted trail uses and suitable conditions).

Submit a brief log each month to HTG.

Inform the trail contact in a timely manner of any incident, dangerous trail condition, or trail maintenance issue.

Becoming a Trail Patroller

1. Fill out a Trail Patrol application (available on thewebsite)
2. Meet with our Trail Patrol committee for an interview.
3. Participate in a training workshop.
4. Receive your trail patrol kit.
5. Start patrolling and have fun!

Trail Patrol Training

Patrollers will be trained by local trail experts and law enforcement personnel. Training will encompass a variety of topics including:

Trail etiquette

Local laws and regulations

Basic bike repair

Public relations and approaching people

Safe conduct on the trail

Permitted uses on trails in Simcoe County

Insurance and liability

Other trail safety programs in Ontario e.g. STOP