Woolwich Trails Group

Wednesday November 11, 2009

Meeting Minutes

 

Those attending: Mark Bauman, Alf Lemp, Steve Lynn, Paul Miller, Ann Roberts, Clint Rohr, Sheri Roy, Gloria and Emily Yeung.

 

1.      Membership Update:

Brenda sent in the following report:

The membership status remains unchanged since the June report, i.e. 42 life members and 23 yearly members.  

2.      Guidebook Update:

Eleanor was unable to attend but sent along the following update:

Here is what has happened since the last time I reported.....November 12, 2008.

November 14, 2008        Adventure Guide                24 books        cheque sent to Don H.

November 20, 2008        Wings of Paradise                20 books        no payment received

April 21, 2009                Adventure Guide                20 books        cheque sent to Don H.

April 21, 2009                Runners' Choice                10 books        cheque sent to Don H.

April 21, 2009                WordsWorth Books            20 books        cheque received for previous 20 books ("On consignment" basis) and sent to Don H.

June 20, 2009                Woolwich Health Centre    20 books                                                                                                                                        Thanks, Gloria!

August 13, 2009            Best Western St. Jacobs    20 books        cheque sent to Don H.                                                                                                Thanks, Gloria!

200 bookmarks and hike schedules where delivered to the Elmira Welcome Wagon in early May.

I currently have 159 copies of the guidebook on hand.

I plan to visit each location in the next month to set up the Christmas display and to check on stock.  Are there any membership forms available?  I have about 20 here.

3.      2009 WTG Annual report:

The annual report is typically mailed out with the membership renewal packages in January.  The following ideas were discussed for articles for the 2009 report:

-Victoria Glen work party

-electric bikes: general info and review of new provincial legislation

-cedar sign update

-KBT upgrade by the Guelph Hiking Club (between the Grand River and Weisenberg Road)

-walking track at the new memorial centre.

ALL are asked to think about ideas for the report.  Send your ideas or articles to Ann at aroberts@woolwich.ca .   The 2008 report is available on the WHC website at

www.healthywoolwich.org  as a guide.

4.      Victoria Glen, Elmira: Trail upgrade project

On October 17 a work party was held at a section of Victoria Glen Park in Elmira, i.e. between the Hydro building and the creek.  45 trees were planted, two 250 m sections of trail were upgraded with wood chips and a stone dust trail was constructed through the grassed area to link the two 250 meter sections of trail.  25 volunteers from Capital Paving along with 15 volunteers from TWEEC, WTG members and local residents came to help plant and move wood chips.  Capital Paving supplied stone dust, large armour stone rocks (to border the park area to deter motorized vehicles), equipment to move wood chips, stonedust for the trail and rocks.  They also provided a BBQ Lunch!  Drop by the park to see the new upgrades.

5.      Electric bikes on trails:

Electric bikes are now present in Woolwich….on roads as well as on trails.  The Ontario Ministry of Transportation recently passed legislation that allows e-bikes to travel anywhere that a bicycle is allowed.  Insurance and a driver’s license are not required. Users must be 16 years of age or older.  The legislation does state that municipalities can revise their by-laws to exclude e-bikes if they choose.  Ann called around to some area municipalities and learned that some municipalities and trail groups have started discussions, but none have prohibited the use of e-bikes on trails (yet!).  More information will be included in the article in the annual report.

If anyone has comments regarding e-bikes on trails please contact Ann. 

6.      2010 Hike Schedule

Sunday January 17 hike: Clint offered to lead skiing and snowshoeing on the HVT.

Saturday March 20: Puddle jump hike.  Idea is to have a hike through a sugar bush. Ann to call to see about the Floradale reservoir trail.  Would the owner be interested in having people come by and observe?  OR could it simply be a walk through the sugar bush?  Who would like to lead this hike?  Please advise Ann.

Sunday April 25 (note date change since our meeting): Birding on the HVT with Mark.

Sunday April 11: Breslau hike with Sheri (plus perhaps Lisa or Loretta).

Sunday May 16: wildflower hike on GVT between Ebycrest Road and Victoria St. Alf offered to the lead the hike.   We are looking for a botanist to identify wildflowers.  Ann to make some calls.

Sunday June 20 bike ride: bike tour to highlight the newly upgraded section of KBT east of the Grand River.  Note: this is Father’s Day.  Is Saturday June 19 better?  Ann to contact Brad to see if he will lead.

Sunday Sept 19 hike: Snyders Flats. Alf offered to lead.

Sunday October 17: hike at Schneiders woods.  Ann to contact Joy about leading the hike.

7.      School Hike Day

The Woolwich Healthy Communities coordinating committee asked if school hike day could be a township-wide event held on Earth Day (April 22).   All schools with easy access to trails would be invited.  Nancy Stayzer is keen and offered to provide examples of the bingo cards and scavenger hunt used by her school in past years.

8.      KBT Updates

With financial support from the WTG ($5000), money from the Trillium Foundation and money donated by the charter St. Jacobs Optimist Club; the Guelph Hiking club upgraded their last section of the KBT (from the Grand River east to Weisenberg Line) in the fall.

The Elmira Lions Club received funding from the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program  Contribution (RINC) to upgrade the stonedust on their section of trail.  This work will be done this fall or in the spring.

9.      2010 Projects

The following suggestions were made:

·         Mill Race trail: brush needs to be trimmed back in the spring.

·         Small footbridge needs to be built for Victoria Glen.

ALL are asked to consider and other trail upgrades that may be required and advise Ann.

10.  Hike leader training course offered by GVTA

GVTA is once again offering a hike leader training course on Saturday March 6, 8:30 am until 4:30 pm at Webco Sports in Kitchener.  Please advise Ann if you would like to attend.  Training cost ($25) will be paid for by WTG.  Please log onto www.gvta.on.ca     for more info.

2010 Meeting dates:

February 17, 7 pm at the fire station in St. Jacobs.

June 9, 7 pm at the fire station in St. Jacobs.

November 10, 7 pm at the fire station in St. Jacobs.

Next Work Party:

 

Mill Race Trail brush clearing:  Date to be determined.