1. Headwaters Community in Action Presentation Prepared and Presented by Patrick Connor CAE November 13, 2010

2. Purpose of Session Detail Trail trends To provide a context for trail master-plans To provide a sense of scope of trail industry Position HCIA trails in relation to other trails in Ontario To provide benchmarks on the investments communities make and the rate of return on your trail investment To provide detail on what has worked to organize trail and users in other areas

3. Trail Trends Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of the Tourism Industry. - (Fleming College 2010) ATV sector estimates 1B in economic activity – (Lanark Trails Business Plan 2005) NOTO, Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario, has remained a not-for-profit association representing over 500 tourism operations, industry providers & public members. (NOTO website) Direct expenditures of Bruce Trail users annually now support over 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs in the province of Ontario, with at least 191 of these supporting local jobs in the communities along the Bruce Trail – (Go For Green 2000) Total economic activity generated in Ontario by snowmobiling in the 1996/97 season was over $900 M while total net contribution to provincial GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was estimated at $300M - (Ecologistics Limited 1998). The annual Welland Canal Parkway construction budget of $2.5M will lead to the creation of approximately 40 direct jobs, and 50 indirect jobs (IMC Consulting Group 1996) Trans Canada Trail estimates the annual trail economy along the 4,400 of completed TCTO to be 2.4B annually of both hard and soft tourism related expenditures. – (TCT Economic Impact Study 2003)

4. The Washington (State) active outdoor recreation economy contributes $11.7 billion to Washington’s economy, supports 115,000 jobs, generates $650 million in annual state tax revenue, and produces $8.5 billion annually in retail sales and services statewide, accounting for 3.5% of the gross state product. According to the IMPLAN economic modeling system, this makes the outdoor industry one of the largest in the state. Only the Washington software industry is larger, contributing $13.2 billion. (University of Washington Department of Political Science. August 2007) Cyclists spend approximately $90,000 each night in each host town along the route, and at least one-third of that is clear profit. Towns in between overnight destinations earn up to $5,000 in a few hours by selling food, drinks and souvenirs. – (Denver Post 1998) After just one season, 61 businesses located along the 35-mile-long Missouri River State Trail reported that the trail was having a positive effect on their businesses. Eleven of the businesses reported that the Trail had strongly influenced their decision to establish their business, and 17 (28%) had increased the size of their investment since the Trail had opened. – (American Hiking Society Economic Benefits of Trails (2001) Trail Trends

5. Trail Facts Using 1,517 trails gathered to February 11, 2009 as a baseline Tracking 18 uses on a largely multi-use trail system <8% are single use – by all uses Trails need a distinct name and a verifiable land owner Multiple use means multiplier effect of 2.719:1 This results in 2719 distinct trails per 1,000 Total available = 44,000kmX2.719=118,000km thus far Total Ontario = 88,000KM

6. 02004006008001000 Ontario Trails Inventory 4X4 Downhill Ski Ice Climbing Dog Sledding ATV Rock Climbing Motorcycling Snowmobiling Equestrian Cycling Running Camping Cross -country C ycling Off-Road Canoe Snowshoe Hiking N u m b e r o f Trails

7. 0200040006000800010000120001400016000 4X4 Downhill Ski Ice Clim bing Dog ATV Rock Motorcycling Snowm obili Equestrian Cycling Running Cam ping X-country Cycling Off- Canoe Snowshoe Hiking Kilometers by Use

8. 0100200300400500600 Central South Western Eastern GTA North Eastern North Central Niagara Ottawa Number Series1 3258171 190248401538 OttawaNiagara North Central North Eastern GTAEastern South Western Central

9. 0500010000150002000025000 Kilometers of Trail Use Opportunity by Region Ottawa GTA Niagara East Central North Central North Eastern North Western South Western

11. According to a recent economic impact study, the trail system brings in an average of $7.2 million per year into the local economy, resulting in $670,000 worth of tax revenues that have been added to the State’s coffers. (Hatfield McCoy Multi-use Trail, from NOHHV 2006) The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Competitiveness Study 2009, indicates that – –––––– On average, an overseas visitor to Ontario spends over $1,200 while in the province.” Nearly 200,000 people are directly employed in this industry. every $1 million spent by visitors to Ontario, creates about 14 jobs and generates $553,400 in wages and salaries in the province Trails Industry in Ontario

12. 3 # of Projects 83 48 1 135 171 $ 105,000.00 Amount $16.4 M $12.7 M $.0.11M $47 M $76.21 M Total Operating Capital National Trail Coalition Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Building Canada Fund: Communities Component Intake 2 Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Total Capital 2121 $$$$ 46,000.00 59,000.00 Healthy Communities Fund - Local Healthy Communities Fund - Provincial # of ProjectsAmountOperating

13. Active Living/Transportation Two dominant uses, hiking (walking) and cycling Total kilometers in Ontario – Hiking - 13,860 On-Road Cycling- 12,780 Total construction value avg@km $44,000 = $2.4 billion.45cents saved from health care per km walked (NZ 1997) 10,000 people walk 5.92Km X.45 = $26,640 need 9000 occurrances, or more people or more km

14. Estimated Expenditure of Trail Tripper by Activity For single trips only no fixed length, ranked by return Snowmobiling - Motorcycle - Equestrian – Running - Canoeing – ATV – Snowshoeing - Cycling – Hiking and Walking - $157.13 $122.00 $92.82 $78.5 $46.00 $43.00 $39.05 $22-25.00 $10.30 University of Maine 1997-98 University of Oregon 2008 Backcountry Horsemen of America 2008 Runners World Survey 2009 University of Vermont 2006 University of Minnesota 2006 University of Washington & Washington Hiking Society 2007 Velo Quebec 1996 American Hiking Society 2003

15. Potential Returns Based on trails identified in the Haliburton area: - Snowmobiling: 2 trails equaling 615 km @ 1 person trip (157.00) or.26$ per km - Motorcycling: 6 trails equaling 129.4 km @ 1 person trip ($122.00) or.942$ per km - Equestrian: 2 trails equaling 90.6 km @ 1 person trip ($92.82) or 1.02$ per km - Running: 6 trails equaling 104.9 km @ 1 person trip ($10.30) or.357$ per km - Canoeing: 8 trails equaling 121.8 km @ 1 person trip ($46.00) or.377$ per km - ATV: 1 trail equaling 35 km @ 1 person trip (43.00) or 1.22$ per km - Cycling (On-Road): 13 trails equaling 377.9 km @ 1 person trip ($7.50) or.019$ per km - Cycling (Off-Road): 7 trails equaling 480.6 km @ 1 person trip ($7.50) or.019$ per km - Snowshoeing: 21 trails equaling 178.8 km @ 1 person trip ($39.05) or.218$ per km - Hiking Walking: 35 trails equaling 274.6 km @ 1 person trip ($10.30) or.357$ per km - Cross-Country Skiing: 4 trails equaling 44 km = No studies found - Dog Sledding: 1 trails equaling 300 km = No studies found

16. Potential Returns – Ranked by return @km @trip $1.22 $1.02 $.942 $.377 $.357 $.26 $.19 N/A ATV Equestrian Motorcycling Canoeing Running/Hiking/Walking Snowmobiling Cycling Cross-Country/Dog-Sledding

17. Six Steps to Effective Trail Building – OTC 1998 CONCEPTUAL Optimum/desirable route identified through preliminary planning exercise CONFIRMED –Route confirmed with owner/operator through meetings/presentations REGISTERED - Formal registration with the land management authority, owner and/or lessee DEVELOPMENT –Phased upgrading and improvement of trail corridor, including facilities, structures, signs, according to an approved master plan, to permit safe and enjoyable shared use for 3-5 approved core uses CONSTRUCTED & OPEN FOR USE –Development of trail facilities is sufficiently complete to permit safe and enjoyable public use of the trail DEVELOPMENT/MANAGEMENT and MAINTENANCE –Continuous improvements/upkeep to the trail corridor ensuring ongoing safe, enjoyable experience

18. Capturing the Potential How to Incorporate Trails? Political will Public involvement Professional knowledge Adequate funding Involve the Public Advisory committees shape policy and plan new facilities Community Champions promote, fundraise and supply volunteers. Enable trails through everyday operations Share responsibilities Enable good decisions to happen naturally Kara Van Myall, Planner, Bruce County at Trailhead Ontario, June 2010

19. Learn from others Craft a strategy Implement strategy across municipal activities like Land use planning; Economic development; Transportation & Park Planning; Road design; Health promotion; Budgeting; and Staff training. Capturing the Potential Municipalities need to: Kara Van Myall, Planner, Bruce County at Trailhead Ontario, June 2010

20. Good planning involves all aspects of transportation and land use planning Ability to influence can range from Growth management strategies to site design Capturing the Potential Planning Strengthen land use plans Amend Official Plans and Zoning By-laws Train Planning Staff Kara Van Myall, Planner, Bruce County at Trailhead Ontario, June 2010

21. Land Use Planning – Kara Van Myall, Planner,Bruce County Provincial Policy Statement Upper Tier Official Plans Lower Tier Official Plans Trails Masterplans Subdivision Process

22. County Council encourages the development of recreational trails including hiking trails, canoe routes, the Bruce Trail, biking skiing, snowmobile trail.” “County Council encourages local municipalities to determine if the provision of trail linkages, as part of a new development, would facilitate the development of a comprehensive trail system throughout the County” Lanark County Trails Business Plan (LCTBP) 2005 The planning process is directed and managed by the County’s Trails Sub-Committee. From the outset and under the direction of the Committee, the County of Lanark has and continues to actively involve the community at all stages of developing a Recreational Trails Business Plan. Capturing the Potential Bruce County Official Plan (BCOP) 2009

23. 1. 2. 3. A community Trails organization – i.e. Bruce Trail -No - no role for municipality A trails committee, (a sub-committee of Lanark County Council) – yes but the operations vary widely, from advisory to all functions. A Municipal Corporation for Trails – an independent arms-length corporation established by the municipality for the sole purpose of developing and managing its recreational trails: allows for trail specific management and financial independence from County Council Capturing the Potential Administrative Model – many studies try to define how the trail system should be managed. Gordon Harrison in his 2005 Lanark County Plan detailed not only the options but the rationale for why one should be chosen. Six Options:

24. Six Options continued: 4. A Trails Management Group – an owner of a trail (like a municipality) negotiates an agreement with another organization to develop and maintain its trail or trails network, often in the form of leasing the trail or trails to a management group similar to EOTA – semi autonomous but limited function 5. A joint committee, such as trails and forests. In this case two or more similarly functioning groups work to manage trails, no clear singular purpose for trails and this fails to capture trails complexity. 6. No role for county. Capturing the Potential

25. Preferred Options – Trend at County Level Prescott Russell – a municipal corporation Greater Sudbury – community trails advisory committee Lanark County – a municipal corporation Chatham-Kent – community trails advisory committee Hastings, Renfrew, Grey – trails management group Niagara - community trails advisory committee Simcoe – community trails advisory committee Dufferin-Peel – community trails advisory committee Bruce – community advisory process

26. Provincial Trail User Organizations/Membership Trail Users/Public Trail Managers Trail Related Businesses Conflict resolution Insurance Networking/Information Access to research Coordination of provincial networks Education Advocacy Conflict resolution Insurance Networking/Information Access to research Interface with municipal government Research Options for sustainable funding Access to markets and dollars Positive corporate image Advocacy Information Provincial Network Education Stakeholder Government Information Provincial Network Project Specific Outcomes Supporter of Process and Initiatives Regional Trail Committee

28. Capturing the Potential Costs to administer a Trails Network (Annually) Administrative Budget Item Coordinators Salary and Benefits Office Space, Equipment and Supplies Professional Development Professional Services (accounting, translation, etc.) Web hosting Total Administrative Costs Amount $ 43,000 11,600 3,000 5,000 1,500 $ 64,100 Prescott and Russell 2005

29. For more information see: http://ontariotrails.on.ca http://www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/revitalizeNY.html http://www.tourism.umn.edu/prod/groups/cfans/@pub/@cfans/@tourism/documents/article/cfans_arti cle_122725.pdf http://www.uvm.edu/~snrvtdc/NFCT/ atfiles.org/files/pdf/LanarkTrailsBPlan.pdf http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13138-0,00.html http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/resource_docs/Comparison_of_Trail_Users_Surveys_F INAL.pdf http://www.millinocket-maine.net/msa-economic-impact-study.htm http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/16621/1/2009%20Oregon%20Economic%20Impact s%20of%20OHV%20Study.pdf