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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DISCOVERY ROUTES TRAILS ORGANIZATION Summer 2009 |
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In This Issue:
Trail Projects on the Go
Trails Across the Region
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On Sunday, June 21 Discovery Routes celebrated the opening of the new section of the Trans Canada Trail through Callander. M.P. Anthony Rota, Councillor Heather Busch, Kirsten Spence of Trails Canada Trail Ontario, and Mark King, Chair of Discovery Routes were in attendance to help officially open the new route. The ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off an afternoon of distinctly northern trail activities, celebrating the diversity and culture of our region. Local dogsledder Pat Kilroy and his team of Springer Spaniels showcased the sport of bikejoring, a sled dog training technique. With the help of the North Bay Geocaching Association and the Ontario Geocachers Association, participants had the opportunity to try out geocaching, and find the hidden themed caches along the trail. Mountain bikes were available to explore the trail on two wheels, and there was information available about motorized trail uses courtesy of Sandy Cove Marine North. The Trans Panama Trail had a piece of the spotlight with SPOT satellite tracking and web connections live at the Community Centre. Discovery Routes would like to thank our event planning committee and the volunteers who came out on the day of the opening for helping us make the celebration such a success. We definitely couldn’t have done it without you! We would also like to thank the OPP SAVE Team, North Bay Police Services, Callander Fire Department, École secondaire catholique Algonquin, the Town of Mattawa, the Canadian Ecology Centre, Wal Mart, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation and NECO for being a huge help in the planning and implementation of our big day. This event marked an important milestone for Discovery Routes Trails Organization, as we continue to promote the region as a first-rate destination for outdoor tourism. If you missed the opportunity to see the trail on June 21, one of our committee members, Rod Bilz, made a video of the trail that was played during the event. Take a look at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GZc6YwX6yM. |
| Trail Projects on the Go | |
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Kate Pace Way
During our Trans Canada Trail grand opening event on June 21, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation made an important funding announcement. Discovery Routes Trails Organization has received a grant in the amount of $376,000 to work with the City of North Bay to re-align the Kate Pace Way off of Booth and Birch’s Road. The project will be completed over four years as additional funding is secured to complete the estimated $1.8 million trail. Bike Train Pulling Into North Bay The Bike Train Initiative is a project out of Toronto that introduces bike racks onto passenger trains travelling to different areas throughout Ontario, making cycle tourism easy and accessible. The project initially began with trips between Toronto and Niagara Falls, but starting this summer, pilot routes will be introduced into the plan, and from August 7 until August 10, the Bike Train will be making a stop in North Bay. Passengers will travel in comfort in the Ontario Northlander passenger car while their bicycles are safely secured in a baggage car with bike racks. On board and upon arrival in North Bay, cyclists will be presented with trail route options that will allow them to experience the best the region has to offer. The initiative is a project of Transportation Options, a non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating sustainable systems of transportation, and is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Government of Ontario, and Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, and supported by more than 30 organizations and businesses. Locally, it has opened up new partnerships between Discovery Routes, the City of North Bay, Ontario Northland and local businesses. More details are available at www.biketrain.ca. |
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Trails Across the Region |
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Miles for Milne Fun Run and Walk Sunday, August 9 at 9:00am kicks off the Miles for Milne Fun Run and walk at Centennial Park in Callander. 2 and 10-km routes are marked. All funds raised during the run will be donated to the Taylor Milne Olympic Fund and Special Olympic Program. For more information go www.callander.ca or call 752-9951. Magnetawan Annual Run On September 12, 2009, the Magnetawan and Area Business Association is hosting their annual Run. As with previous years, there will be a 5 and 10-km course running south on the Old Nipissing Road, and this year, MABA is introducing a half marathon challenge. Over the years, this event has raised more than $7,000 going towards various causes within the community of Magnetawan, such as the Magnetawan and Area Scholarship Fund, Magnetawan Home and School, and the area Nursing Station. The Business Association is also committed to promoting the importance of a healthy, motivated, and active community, and this event is the perfect way to get this message across to the masses. Pre Registration for the run is $10 per person and $25 for a family of up to 4. Registration on the day of the Run is $15 per person and $30 for a family of up to 4. To register for the event, visit www.events.runningroom.com. For more information about the run, you can go to www.magneatwanarea.com. ATV Poker RunMagnetawan’s annual ATV Poker Run isn’t until October 17, but registration is now open! More information about this event will be included in our Fall newsletter, but to register or for more information, please call Ilona at (705) 3687-1452. Adventure Week is upon us! Mattawa Voyageur Country and the City of North Bay are pleased to present 10 days full of fun and excitement from July 17 until July 26. Adventure Week offers wilderness activities of all kinds... there’s something available for everyone! Check out what's happening below: Lost in the Rocks and Trees Mountain Bike Race - July 18 Described as Ontario’s only true wilderness mountain bike race, this annual competition lures racers with 62-km and 110-km courses through mud, sand, bogs, over logs and rocks on the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System in Mattawa. In its 14th year, the race has survived numerous coordinators and continues to attract hundreds of racers from across the province and beyond. Currently, this impressive race is run entirely by volunteers. For this year's race results and photos of the adventure riders, see www.lostintherocks.com. Voyageur Rendezvous - July 22 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Join a group of Voyageurs on a trek starting at the Bagwa Day-use Area in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park up to the Mattawa River. Listen to tall tales about how Voyageurs spent their days and nights, and experience their culinary traditions. Think you could have joined in on the Voyageurs’ adventures? Try paddling a 30-foot canot du nord and see for yourself! For Park directions, programs, and amenities, call (705) 744-2776, or visit their website at www.ontarioparks.com/english/samu.html Guided Hike at Eau Claire Gorge - July 23 beginning at 7:00 pm Join the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority for a guided interpretive hike along the trails at the Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area. Most of the trails are suitable for adults, children, and novice hikers alike. This trail is a beautiful natural escape, and the perfect way to indulge both your sight and sound with the amazing waterfall at the Gorge. Cost to participate is $3.00/adult and $2.00/child. The money raised will go towards supporting environmental education. For more information, please call the Conservation Authority at (705) 474-5420 or visit their website at www.nbmca.on.ca. Canoe Parade - July 25 beginning at 9:00 am Come on down to Mattawan Street, and help celebrate Mattawa’s 125th Anniversary by indulging your inner artist and turning ordinary canoes into personal masterpieces! Bring your own canoe or help decorate the ones provided with environmentally friendly (and removable) paints and chalk. Judging takes place at 2:00 pm, with a parade to follow. Bring the family and enjoy a day full of art, prizes, and fun! For more information, call Gord at (705) 744-1715 x 631 or email him at gord@mattawavoyageurcountry.ca. Mattawa River Canoe Race- July 25 Looking for something fun to do as a family? Participate in the family portion of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s Mattawa River Canoe Race! The family race starts at 12:00pm within Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, and finishes 13km later at Mattawa Island. Participants in the family race must be related, with one paddler under the age of 18 and one over the age of 18. The cost is $20/per paddler and includes entry into the park, participation in the race, dinner and banquet and a t-shirt (if you register by July 15, 2009). If you are looking for a bigger challenge, why not participate in the full race from North Bay to Mattawa (64km)? Pre-registration is required. Additional information and/or registration forms are available online at www.nbmca.on.ca or by contacting the NBMCA's Community Relations Coordinator at (705) 474-5420. Heritage Canoe Day on the La Vase Portages 42 paddlers participated in Heritage Canoe Day this year, the most to date. The Friends of La Vase Portages hosted the annual event on Saturday, July 18. The event showcases the historic route from Trout Lake to Lake Nipissing. It is far from a leisurely paddle along the river with numerous portages that depend on the day's water levels. The longest portage this year was 1400 meters. The trip takes about six hours and paddlers/portagers are treated to a shore lunch at Billy Bob's Chip Stand to bring a satisfying end to a hard day on the water trail. The La Vase Portages are back in the news lately with the proposed development of an aggregate extraction business once again threatening the historic route. A letter from Chair, John McNutt can be viewed at www.lavaseportages.com. |
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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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1375 Seymour Street, North Bay, P1B 9V6 ~ T: (705) 472-8480 ~ F: (705) 472-8027 ~ info@discoveryroutes.ca |
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