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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DISCOVERY ROUTES TRAILS ORGANIZATION Winter 2008 |
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In This Issue:
Trail Projects on the Go
Trails Across the Region
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Discovery Routes is re-emerging into the trails community and invites you and your family to Get on the Trail for Life. On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, Discovery Routes will launch our official membership campaign. Being a member of Discovery Routes shows your support for trail development and keeps you connected to the many exciting trail activities taking place across the region including the development of the Trans Canada Trail. The enthusiastic volunteers that drive trail development in this region are motivated for as many reasons as there are trails in the north. Follow this link to become part of the network! Join us on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority's Natural Classroom, 15 Janey Avenue in North Bay at 4:00pm for the launch and to recognize the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of Discovery Routes over the past year. The Discovery Routes Coordinating Council will meet following. An informal pizza dinner will be served. All are welcome to attend. Please contact Discovery Routes through email or by calling (705) 472-8480 by February 15th to be counted in! |
| Trail Projects on the Go | |
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Trail users will soon have a new resource! Discovery Routes is partnering with the Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council and trail groups throughout the region to create a "Trail Guide for Healthy Living". The guide will feature comprehensive trail information such as trail length and difficulty, trailhead directions, various amenities found along the trail, and permitted uses each trail supports. Each trail featured in the guide will also have a map and GPS coordinates to help users navigate themselves during their outings! Along with the guide, Discovery Routes will be producing a poster size, full-colour trail map. The map will be included as a pull-out addition to the guide and will available independently as well. As part of this project, advertising space is available on the map to act as a fundraiser for Discovery Routes. If you are interested in sponsoring the map, please contact us at (705) 472-8480 for more information. The new trail map will be available this Spring, with the trail guide to follow in August 2008. Discovery Routes Trails Organization is excited to announce the launch of our new website! You can now log on to www.discoveryroutes.ca to find up-to-date trail information from across the region. Read descriptions of our region's trails, see pictures of existing routes, find out about upcoming trails events, and keep up-to-date on the construction progress of the Trans Canada Trail through Callander. If you know of any trails-related events, have any pictures you would like to share, or a trails experience that you want to tell, let us know. We are always looking for new, exciting, and unique things to share with other trail enthusiasts. Discovery Routes is launching a new membership campaign! Trails provide a fun and easy way for the whole family to keep active together. Now you can become a member and stay up-to-date on local trail activities. Membership keeps you connected to trail projects across the Near North and the Trans Canada Trail while strengthening the foundations of a thriving volunteer trails network. $12 for 12 months keeps individuals connected, while families can be a part of Discovery Routes for only $24 annually. Download an application form now. Regional trail partners and businesses are also encouraged to participate. Visit our website for more information about the benefits of connecting to trails. The Trans Canada Trail will be an 18,000 km recreational trail winding its way throughout each province and territory, linking our country in a new, innovative way. This project is the first of its kind, and when completed, will be the longest continuous trail in the world. The trail's completion date is slated for 2010, in time for the Vancouver Winter Olympics! For more information about this amazing project, please visit the Trans Canada Trail website. With the support of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and local partners like the Municipality of Callander, Discovery Routes is contributing to this amazing project. A major section of the trail is currently under construction and will provide the missing link between Callander and Commanda. The official opening of Discovery Routes' Trans Canada Trail connection is anticipated for Spring of 2008. To keep up-to-date on the progress of construction, visit our website! Almaguin Highlands Trails and Tours Project Discovery Routes is working together with the Almaguin Highlands Economic Development (AHED), the Women's Own Resource Centre and local trail partners to develop the trail opportunities available to businesses and residents of the Almaguin Highlands. The scope of the project has yet to be determined, however, it is anticipated that the project will involve an inventory of all the existing trails and potential routes throughout the region, as well as the amenities that support trail users. The information gathered will be used to create digital and hard copy resources that can be used by visitors to the region seeking outdoor experiences. Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding Discovery Routes would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of our organization and our activities. The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives $100 million annually from Ontario's charity casino initiative. Funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has allowed Discovery Routes to strengthen the organization by re-establishing operations. As our commitment to the region, Discovery Routes will demonstrate leadership within the trails community. |
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Trails Across the Region |
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Callander Opens Cranberry Trail! The Municipality of Callander celebrated the grand opening of their new Cranberry Trail on October 14, 2007. This beautiful 2.7km trail begins at the end of Cranberry Road in Callander, and stretches out to Callander Bay. The trail branches off about half-way down and leads you to a platform where you can look out at the Cranberry Marsh. With interpretive signage, benches along the way, and a gorgeous view of Callander Bay at the end of the route, this trail is perfect for the whole family! The trail is open year-round. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers are reminded to use caution while on the trail as it is a shared-use trail in the winter months, with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. East Ferris Revisiting Voyer Trail The Voyer Trail Committee in East Ferris is resurrecting plans to link Corbeil with the Kate Pace Way/Trans Canada Trail in North Bay via a multi-use trail. The project has received considerable attention over the years and has encountered a number of challenges. The challenges have not dampened the spirits of the volunteers that envision an opportunity for the residents of Corbeil to have a safe, off-road trail opportunity. With the support of the Municipality of North Bay and the Township of East Ferris, Discovery Routes is working with community partners to make this trail a reality. North Bay Nordic Ski Club Opens a Snowshoe Trail The North Bay Nordic Ski Club will be officially opening a dedicated snowshoe trail. From stream bed to the Ridge, through boreal forest and frozen swamp, the snowshoe trails provide not only picturesque and unique perspective on the Nordic setting, but a potentially invigorating tramp to challenge your stamina as well. Following a well marked trail with a variety of options you can design an experience to match your interests and ability. In celebration of the trail, a grand opening event will take place on February 23, 2008 at 1:00pm at the Ski Club at 630 North Shore Road in North Bay. Snowshoes will be available to borrow and the event will include a guided hike along the trail, hot chocolate, and a marshmallow roast! Forgotten Trails The Forgotten Trails Association creates, maintains and promotes safe and ecologically sustainable trails of natural or historical significance in the South River area. The Association is looking for volunteers to become involved in the organization. A few of the initiatives in the early development stage include the creation of new trail signage, the establishment of trail crews, the initiation of a geocache event, and others. If you are interested in helping Forgotten Trails, please contact Discovery Routes. Frontier Trails Association Discovery Routes welcomes back the Frontier Trails Association. The Association is dedicated to the promotion of non-motorized trails in the Greater Sudbury area. With a focus on equestrian trail events, the Association offers another opportunity for trail enthusiasts to get together and share trail experiences. |
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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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