Slide 1
A sunset photo of the Danube River Trail
A trail that is almost 1000 km in length.
This page presents a power point presentation that was presented on Oct.21/09 at a multi-county trails meeting in Brantford, Ontario.
As stated in slide #2, the purpose was to outline the problems and potential involved in creating a Port Dover to Elmira cycling experience. Hopefully the slides and notes will speak for themselves.
Slide 2
Several years ago, this group introduced the potential of an Elmira to Port Dover ‘trail experience”. I volunteered to explore the existing route.
What follows is, first, a description of the current route and second, some comments on the potential for a attractive cycle experience that would link our various jurisdictions and attractions.
This map from a recent newspaper article reflects a potential route, not a reality for normal cyclists.
Slide 3
The reality of the potential route is that it currently consists
of a series of municipal trails with little if any deliberate co-ordination.
One might suggest that Relay 2000 along the Trans Canada Trail stimulated a
systems approach to route planning and co-ordination for sections of our trails.
It even led to the creation of a multi-county route trail map!
But at the moment, the route is incomplete, with significant gaps and sub-optimal segments.
Slide 4
I had great difficulty deciding on a theme or title for this presentation.
My first impulse was to label the presentation: the good, the bad
and the potential. The top 3 photos showing serious route gaps.
The bottom photos reflects perfection .... Waterloo senior cycling group heading
along Fountain Street in the summer of 2009
The following comments and photos reflect my personal experiences up and down the length of the route and a desire to see the development of a wonderful local recreation and tourist attraction.
Slide 5
Many long distance cycle trails exist. See the references.
Much research has been done to clearly establish the benefits of similar trails. The data is clear: trail have many and varied impacts for local residents and visitors
On the basis of this research, it seems to me that our task is to select the best trail design features to fit our local needs and features
We are not inventing the wheel. This long distance route proposal is not unique. We need to avoid the unnecessary studies and simply set about filling in the gaps. And then marketing the product!
Slide 6
Cycling is “in” and bicycle sales have hit all time high levels.
Cycle tourism is a growing trend. Healthy living and exercise are strongly promoted by numerous agencies.
The demographic market for this 130+ km route is obvious – and very large.
Research clearly indicates that trails users will come from near and far.
So we have actually two markets to deal with
- local residents and visitors.
The fact that two groups will be served is important, especially when dealing
with creating a political will.
Remember: "Politics is planning, and planning is politics."
Slide 7
There are some simple but basic realities in the creation of a long distance trail route.
First, we are not creating or inventing something that is unique…… many cycle routes already exist.
And this gives us an important advantage. We have the advantage of now selecting successful and safe design features that meet our needs.
It is these critical design features that will largely comprise the product we have to market.
My personal trail motto:
IF YOU DO NOT BUILD IT, THEY CANNOT USE IT!
Slide 8
After 16 years of involvement in community trails, it seems to me that the funding realities have changed and therefore we must adapt.
We must involve the private business sector in trail building because tax based funding is inadequate. Trails need sponsorship and donations in the face of harsh civic budget conditions.
I call it the “American approach”, but the reality is that we must solicit the support of local business. In return, for this support we must clearly thank the donors in a public manner along the trails.
One side effect of gaining business support is that we expand the base of community support for trails.
Slide 9
Sign, Sign, Sign! And develop a website to present your trailhead information and maps.
[1] People in this room don’t need trail signs. BUT the curse of any trail is to be referred to as “one of our best kept secrets.” And let me assure you that many trails are unfortunately local secrets. Signage provides a sense of location and destination. But more importantly they give a sense of safety and most trail users are not overly adventuresome when faced with new surroundings.
[2] Local residents need to know where to go and how to get their own their local trails. For example, in the small city of Cambridge, we know for certain that residents in one area of the city simply do not know about trails less than 6 km away. But notice on the Cambridge sign (top right) there is no mention of any trail, much less the Trans Canada Trail!
[3] Let me use a specific example to illustrate my point.
How many people in either Brantford or Simcoe, for example, know the location of the northern end of the Waterford Trail?
Slide 10
Here are 3 photo clues.
Harsh reality is that the start of the trail totally unsigned and invisible from the adjacent road. "A best kept secret".
Slide 11
At the moment it all is raw potential …. waiting to attract both local and visiting trail users.
- In the north it could be the ‘Buggies to Blackberry” routes and loops.
- In the middle we have the Grand River Valley experience: bird migration, settlements, etc
- And how might you market the south end?
Abandoned railway bridge at Waterford waiting to be rehabilitated as a trail bridge! Do we have any volunteer funders? Are there naming opportunities for funding?
Slide 12
Some sources of information about successful and outstanding trail experiences.
Slide 13
