TRAILHEAD NORTH The Ontario Trails Strategy and Trails Action Plan Presentation by Carol Oitment Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) April 20, 2016
OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENTATION The Provincial Context for Trails Ø Research on the Benefits of Trails Ø The Ontario Trails Strategy Ø Trails Action Plan 2015/16 – 2017/18 (including Bill 100 – The Ø Supporting Ontario’s Trails Act, 2015) Next Steps Ø 2
THE PROVINCIAL CONTEXT FOR TRAILS: ONTARIO TRAILS ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL National Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Ontario Trails Coordinating Trail Sport (MTCS) - lead ministry on Committee (ADM co-chaired with Interests trail policy, planning and coordinating Ontario Trails Council’s President – matters across government ministries/agencies and external Ontario Trails Strategy 2005 - the stakeholders) framework for decision-making Trails Action Plan 2015/16 - 2017/18 Ontario Trails Council (umbrella organization for trails) Government Partners Directors Working Group Ø Ontario Trillium Foundation (DWG) on Trails Ø Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) Key External Partners Ø Ontario Place Ø Ontario Power Sport MTCS Trails Team Ø Royal Botanical Gardens Working Group (umbrella for motorized trails) All MTCS Divisions Ø St. Lawrence Parks Ø Ø Provincial/regional trail Commission organizations Ø Niagara Parks Commission Ø Regional Tourism Ø Others Organizations Ø Others 3
THE PROVINCIAL CONTEXT FOR TRAILS: ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES Trails Ontario has over 80,000 km. of trail, the second largest network in Canada. Ø Trails include land/water, motorized/non-motorized and on/off-road trails used for recreation, tourism and Ø transportation (e.g. active transportation) purposes in urban, suburban, rural and remote settings. The Government of Ontario invested $130 million in trails 2009/10 through 2014/15. Ø Key Trail Issues 2013 confirmed long-standing trail issues (many since1977) including financial stability, liability, securing Ø land for trials (e.g. easements and abandoned rail rights-of-way), trespassing, protection of private/public property, training, user conflict management, trail classifications/signage, supportive land/transportation planning and the need for a trails Master Plan. Current emerging issues include the need for consistency in approaches (e.g. to trails management in Ø County forests; trail signage/classifications; national trail standards/guidelines), the need to protect remote values and conflicts with other outdoor recreationists (e.g. trappers and hunters). Key Trail Opportunities 2013 identified key trail opportunities including enhancing trails tourism, strengthening the role of trails in Ø active transportation, promoting trails more effectively, conducting research and maximizing water trails. Emerging opportunities include increasing interest in cultural/heritage values (e.g. Group of Seven trail; Ø historic routes), cycling, trail animation (Pan Am Path), the Great Lakes trail vision, completion of the Trans Canada Trail 2017, cross-border interests, year round use, vertical trails, systems/networks, provincial cycling route and the need for new economic impact metrics (including ecological and human health). 4
RESEARCH ON THE BENEFITS OF TRAILS Economic Benefits (jobs, property values, investment attraction and cost aversion) The Ontario Trails Survey 2014 undertaken by the MTCS estimated the annual Ø economic impact of hiking at $1.3 billion. The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance manages 2,370 km of trail and has 25,000 users Ø who spend $6 million annually generating an economic impact of $2 million per year. (1) The Trans Canada Trail Ontario, when complete, is expected to generate $2.4 billion. (2) Ø Snowmobiling generates an estimated $1.3 to $1.7 billion per year, in Ontario .(3) Ø In 2005, ATVing generated an estimated $6.2 million (direct/indirect GDP) or Ø $1 billion in direct/indirect economic impacts excluding tax revenues in Ontario .(4) In 2010, 2 million Canadian/Ontario visitors cycled in Ontario and spent about Ø $391 million .(5) In 2011, 7.2 million Canadian visitors participated in a trail activity during their trips to Ø Ontario , spending $1.3 billion (i.e. 8.7% of the total visitor spending by Canadians) .(6) Health Benefits (mental/physical health and overall well-being) Trail activity helps combat the economic burden of physical inactivity of $3.4 billion and of obesity of $4.5 Ø billion (includes physical inactivity and other factors) (2009 data). (7) Trail activities enhance mental capital, mental wellbeing and brain health throughout life (.8) Ø Each additional kilometer walked per day is associated with 4.8% reduction in the likelihood of obesity. (9) Ø The Ontario Trail Survey 2014 found that respondents experienced significant personal benefits from Ø using trails including improved mental health (91%), physical health (90%), and a sense of well-being (90%). (10) 5
RESEARCH ON THE BENEFITS OF TRAILS (Cont’d.) Environmental/Ecological Benefits (environmental stewardship, ecological integrity, climate change mitigation and aesthetics) Active transportation (e.g. cycling/walking) helps reduce harmful emissions and contribute to cleaner air and Ø reduced respiratory health issues. Toronto Public Health estimates that traffic air pollution gives rise to about 440 premature deaths and 1,700 Ø hospitalizations per year in the City of Toronto and estimates the economic impact of mortality at $2.2 billion per year (2007 ). (11) Community-building Benefits (connectivity, interaction, inclusion, volunteerism) Trails contribute to community building (e.g. the Ontario Federation of Snowmobiles connects 234 Ø communities and has over 6,000 volunteers; the Trans Canada Trail Ontario connects 140 communities, the Waterfront Trail connects 75 and the EOTA 24). (12) 6
THE ONTARIO TRAILS STATEGY The Ontario Trails Strategy (OTS), the Framework for Trails in Ontario The OTS provides a framework to guide decision-making affecting trails in Ontario. Ø Vision A world-class system of diversified trails, planned and used in an environmentally Ø responsible manner that enhances the health and prosperity of all Ontarians. Core Values Respecting private and public lands, including agricultural lands, Crown lands and Ø the traditional land-use areas of Aboriginal communities. Protecting, conserving and appreciating the environment, including cultural heritage and natural heritage. Ø Providing a variety of trail opportunities in keeping with the diverse trail interests of Ontario’s population Ø and visitors. Valuing regional differences and supporting local decision-making. Ø Adopting good planning principles and approaches. Ø 5 Key Strategic Directions and 52 Deliverables The 52 deliverables include short term actions (e.g. to establish the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee Ø (OTCC), longer term policy/legislative development requirements and on-going undertakings such as educational, promotional and training activities.
TRAILS ACTION PLAN 2015/16 – 2017/18 (Cont’d.) Purpose of the Trails Action Plan: To prioritize recommended actions toward strengthening the Ontario Trails Strategy Ø (OTS) over 3 years. To identify lead and support ministries/agencies/external stakeholders that will be Ø responsible for scoping the items, submitting annual work plans, reporting on progress and accounting for performance targets. To provide a public-facing communications tool as a living document that will Ø incorporate emergent issues and opportunities as appropriate . Description of the Trails Action Plan: The Trails Action Plan is fully accessible and available in French and English. Ø The Action Plan aligns with the vision and core values of the OTS. Ø It has 3 pillars (based on a merger of the 5 OTS pillars) with 31 action items: Ø Sustainability and Planning – 19 action items; § Access and Awareness – 7 action items; and § Tourism and Economic Development – 5 action items. § The Action Plan will be implemented within government budgetary allocations. Ø 8
TRAILS ACTION PLAN 2015/16 – 2017/18 (Cont’d.) Key Alignments across Government Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces: Accessible recreation trails and beach access routes (Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure) Ø Accessible recreational trails and beach access routes allow everyone including people with disabilities to enjoy the natural spaces in our communities. Ø New or redeveloped recreational trails and beach access routes will need to meet these standards (e.g. minimum trail width), which are being phased in between 2015 and 2018. #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy (Ministry of Transportation) Ø This strategy, released in August 2013, outlines a 20-year vision to guide provincial initiatives to increase the number and safety of cyclists in the province. The first action plan was released in 2015. Ø The strategy includes identifying a province-wide cycling network, including trails, and it provided $25 million over 3 years in cycling infrastructure funding). Biodiversity: It’s in our nature – Ontario Government Plan to Conserve Biodiversity 2012-2010 (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) Ø E.g. Ontario Children’s Outdoor Charter http://www.childrensoutdoorcharter.ca/. CONFIDENTIAL 9
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