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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DISCOVERY ROUTES TRAILS ORGANIZATION Spring 2010 |
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In This Issue:
Trail Projects on the Go
Trails Across the Region
Fun on the Trails
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With Earth Day around the corner, environmental protection and appreciation are a regular theme in the programming of many of our trail partners. Several volunteer groups and organizations are hosting events to clean up the trails after the winter thaw, and to bring attention to the importance of respecting our natural environment. Spring is a time of rejuvenation, so why not refresh yourself by spending some time outside and lending a hand. Check out the Upcoming Events section of the newsletter to see what clean-up and Earth Day activities are happening around you. |
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| Trail Projects on the Go | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Voyer Trail Steak Dinner and Auction Fundraiser The East Ferris Knights of Columbus and Discovery Routes have joined forces to host a steak dinner and auction to raise funds for the development of the Voyer Trail. The vision is a four-season, shared-use trail that will connect the community of Corbeil to the Kate Pace Way in North Bay along an old colonization road known locally as the Voyer Road. Sound familiar? Persistent and determined community volunteers have kept this vision present despite years of challenges. The April 24th event takes place at Corbeil Park Hall at 390 Highway 94, with cocktails at 5, dinner at 6 (did we mention we're serving steak?), and the auction beginning at 7:30. The goal of the evening is to raise $10,000 to combine with an existing private donation of $20,000. It's an ambitious goal, but thanks to some generous members of our community, we already have some great items up for auction. Check it out:
All of the auction items and their approximate value are listed on our website, which is updated regularly. If you or someone you know is interested in donating any products or services for auction let us know. Anyone who makes a donation will receive a charitable tax receipt. Tickets for the event are a great value at $15 each, which includes your steak dinner and all the fun of a good ol' fashion auction! Call us today at (705) 472-8480 to get your tickets before they're gone. New year, new season, new TRAIL MAP!
A big THANK YOU to our sponsors Late last year, Discovery Routes invited groups and businesses from around the area to support our 2010/2011 Regional Trails Map through the purchase of advertising space. The response we got was fantastic! We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors for their contribution to our latest project. For a full list of everyone who contributed, visit www.discoveryroutes.ca/sponsors.htm.
This collaboration proved to be very successful for both organizations. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly on selling almost 4,000 tickets between June 2009 and January 2010. We would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported Discovery Routes and the Anglers and Hunters and bought tickets. Make sure and keep your eyes and ears open for details about the next draw. After the success of this last year, Discovery Routes and the Anglers and Hunters decided to extend the partnership and do it all over again! |
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Trails Across the Region |
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Black Forest Trails opening soon! The City of North Bay will open the new Black Forest Trails on Highway 11 North this coming May. The 1.5-km hiking and walking loop will take visitors through beautiful red and white pine forest stands. Working with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, the City created pedestal interpretive signs that are placed along the trails to provide information on the forest's history, logging, reforestation, and the wildlife found throughout the park. La Vase Canoe Night Having survived the winter, Friends of La Vase Portages will be kicking off the paddling season with their "Canoe Night" presentations at the Nipissing University Theater on Friday, April 23 beginning at 7:00pm. Admission is free (though donations are always appreciated), and will feature presentations on the Coppermine River by Clive Rennie, and of local award winning photographer Darren Makarenko. In previous years, La Vase has been open for paddling as early as April 17, but with the minimal snowfall of this past winter, and the above normal temperatures over the last month, spring padding could start as early as April 10. Keep an eye on the Friends' website for updates on water and portage conditions, or if you're feeling adventurous, dress appropriately for ice cold water conditions, grab your paddle, and get out there and enjoy early spring on La Vase Portages. For anyone looking ahead to their summer plans, the La Vase Canoe Day has been set. Circle Saturday, July 17 on your calendar for a day of paddling, portaging and fish & chips at Billy Bob's. As always, check www.lavaseportages.com for details. Fifteen Conservation Areas plus new signage If you're looking to get out with the family this spring, hikers, photographers, birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts have free entrance to 15 Conservation Areas in the area. Explore the area's logging history at Eau Claire, visit a beautiful urban wetland at Laurier Woods, or trace the path of glaciers at Corbeil Conservation Area. Visit www.nbmca.on.ca for locations. And when you're out on the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority's trails, you may notice some brand new trailhead signs. The Conservation Authority has been hard at work creating new orientation signs that will highlight key features along the trail, trail lengths, and supported activities. Otter Lake Friends Otter Lake is a beautiful, undeveloped area within the City of North Bay, perfect for a small getaway with the entire family. You can head out onto the Otter Heights Trail and see huge chicos pummeled to pieces by local pileated woodpeckers. Or explore the new 'Round the Marsh' trail that keeps your feet dry while taking you around the existing bog. If you prefer to be on the open water, the Nekik Waterway will take canoeists for a half hour paddle down the North and Little North Rivers. Maps, pictures, and details of this beautiful, pristine area can be found on the Otter Lake Friends' website at: www.venturenorth.com/otterlake. Trail maps are also available at the trailheads on South Access Road and Widdifield Station Road. Get "Lost in the Rocks and Trees" The Lost in the Rocks and Trees mountain bike race isn't until July 17, but online registration is now open. In its 15th year, "Ontario's toughest mountain race" will have a few alterations to the course just to keep things interesting. The Race will be based out of Nature's Harmony Ecolodge just north of Mattawa, and will take cyclists from the lodge, onto Mattawa's Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System, through the town of Mattawa, back onto the trails, and finally back to the Lodge. Participants will have the option of tackling a 62 km course or a 110 km course. The Bike Train will be making a stop in North Bay during the weekend of the Race, providing mountain bike enthusiasts from the Toronto area with the opportunity to travel to North Bay on the Northlander and participate in this exhilarating challenge. For information about the race, and to register, visit www.lostintherocks.com. Powassan Recreation Committee ready for work The Municipality of Powassan Recreation Committee is aiming to install new, much needed signage at its various walking and water trail systems, with the focus this year being on the Pines and Water Trail. The Committee is also exploring the possibility of adding a south end access point on the Water Trail, complete with signage indicating where portages are located along the route. These changes and additions will make for a far more enjoyable trek on the trails and encourage more people to go out and enjoy them. Here's hoping to a great season! Discover the Forgotten Trails As many of us know, it can be difficult to recruit dedicated individuals to help efficiently run a volunteer-based group. The Forgotten Trails in South River are struggling to stay afloat, and are looking for people interested in getting involved with the stewardship of their local trail system. The future of this group has become dependent on attracting enthusiastic volunteers who want to help keep this not-for-profit group a part of the regional trails community. If you are interested in helping to re-discover the Forgotten Trails, please contact Discovery Routes. West Nipissing Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club season wrap-up The West Nipissing Nordic Ski Club had an amazing winter, and despite the shortened season, the Club doubled the number of visitors from last year, and welcomed eight school groups onto their trails. Their second annual Family Day celebration attracted over 100 participants, and the Club's ski and snowshoe lending program was put to good use. Volunteers for the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club will be taking a short, well-deserved breather before getting their trails ready for next season. Come winter, two new ski trails will be added to their already fantastic system - a 1 km loop off of the yellow trail, and a 3.5 km trail on their newly acquired land south of Moss Lake. An additional 3 km of snowshoe trails will also be developed before the new ski and snowshoe season begins. Even with these changes, new and existing members won't have to worry about getting lost. A brand new map will be available to help navigate through the Club's network of ski and snowshoe trails. |
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| Helping Us Connect | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Discovery Routes would like to thank all of our current Business Members for supporting our organization and the region's trails.
- FRi Ecological Services - All of our trails partners throughout the region provide continuous support to our organization by keeping us up-to-date on the status of trails and local trail events. Discovery Routes would like to extend our thanks to these Trail Connector Members for contributing to our organization and our efforts:
- West Nipissing Nordic Ski
Club - Over the past year, Discovery Routes has welcomed new Municipal Members to our organization. We would like to thank the following for their support:
- City of North Bay - Trails connect communities businesses and families. Bring trails to your business or organization and become a member of Discovery Routes. By building awareness and exposure of our regional trails system, you will be contributing to a healthy, natural Near North. |
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Take a look at what fun and exciting events are happening all across the region on the trails. Keep checking our website for updated event listings. If you have an event you would like us to include, please email us and let us know!
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1375 Seymour Street, North Bay, P1B 9V6 ~ T: (705) 472-8480 ~ F: (705) 472-8027 ~ info@discoveryroutes.ca |
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We
have been hard at work re-designing our Regional Trails Map. The new
2010/2011 map will not only contain the same useful information as its
predecessor, but will also include new hiking trails, new bicycle
routes, GPS coordinates to trailheads, street names on detailed maps,
and more. This project has been a fantastic collaboration with our
trail partners throughout the region, and we are really excited to share
it with the trails community. We will announce the map's availability
on our website, so keep checking for information on when and where you
can get your copy. Or better yet, become a
