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IN THE NEWS:


"Benefits of Trails" Campaign Launched in Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA), with the support of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (S.P.R.A.), is launching a new promotional campaign, the “Benefits of Trails,” to get more people out and enjoying the spectacular sites and sounds of Saskatchewan’s trails.

The campaign’s theme, “Off the beaten path . . . life begins on your Saskatchewan trails,” is designed to get more people thinking about the types of activities and adventures that can be found along the province’s extensive trail network.

“Trails offer affordable recreation opportunities for individuals and families of all ages and abilities,” said STA President Cathy Watts. “They also provide economic spinoffs in Saskatchewan communities, help protect our natural environment, and encourage people to live healthier, more active lifestyles. Some of the activities that can be enjoyed along the trails this spring and summer are: walking, hiking, canoeing, cycling, in-line skating, horseback riding, ATVing, bird watching and sightseeing. Wheelchair accessible trails are also available in parks and communities across the province.”

The “Benefits of Trails” is a multi-media campaign that will run until the end of June 2012. Please click on the links above to see and hear the radio and print advertisements that were developed specifically for this campaign.

 

Members meet in Lumsden to discuss trail issues

The Saskatchewan Trails Association recently held its annual general meeting near Lumsden to discuss a variety of issues on trail development.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a discussion led by Amber Jones of the Meewasin Valley Authority who recently helped develop a provincial trails strategy for the provincial government. This strategy included outlining roles for organizations; adopting standards for trail building, stewardship and maintenance; reviewing STA’s core operations, the need for trail funding and the creation of an ATV policy.



Saskatchewan Trails Association members at the annual general meeting near Lumsden.

 

Highlights from the Saskatchewan TCT Summit

The Saskatchewan Trans Canada Trail Summit held December 6, was a great success. Seventy trail-building community members, representing municipal and provincial governments, trail users, civic, educational and recreational organizations met at the Delta Regina for the first-ever summit discussing the future of the TCT in Saskatchewan. The Hon. Bill Hutchinson, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport addressed the delegates and expressed his personal as well as his government’s support for the Trail.
TCT CEO Deborah Apps, spoke at the summit on not only the physical benefits of the Trail but also the Trail as an important symbol of our connection to the land and each other. The delegates learned during the summit that 1400 km of Trail remain to be completed in Saskatchewan.

Delegates discussed obstacles and potential solutions to the Trail’s success. The following were some key solutions identified.

1.Trail group coordination:

  • Develop outreach strategies to make the STA and TCT more visible in communities.
  • STA can take the leadership role in convening trail stakeholders to prioritize what parts of the trails are most important to further the development of the Trail.
  • Completing destination points first will help promote the Trail and heighten public interest in the Trail.

2.Government support and local champions:

  • Engage the Premier to participate in a ‘Premier’s Walk’ on the Trail.
  • Create an informative package that clarifies the ‘ask’ to government
  • Make the most of Trails Day in June: encourage government to use the celebration as an opportunity to make an official announcement in support of trails, and invite provincial athletes and celebrities to take part in local celebrations.

3.Building Sustainable Trails:

  • Recognize that local communities will be the true champions and stewards of the Trail. Engage them in Trail planning early and often.
  • Develop partnerships between Trail user groups.
  • Establish standards for Trail use and stewardship that enjoy understanding and support of all Trail user groups.
  • Engage Chambers of Commerce, government, volunteers, regional municipalities to address specific issues related to Trail development. Give everyone a role to play.
  • Partner with public schools, universities and voluntary organizations to provide opportunities for youth to experience the Trail and involve the in trail-building.

4.Insurance:

  • Work closely with the province to develop a province-wide insurance strategy for trails

5.Funding:

  • Determine the accurate costs to build new trail
  • Develop a shovel ready model project
  • Work with the Trans Canada Trail to develop priorities and funding strategies
  • Encourage participation from multiple sources of funding, including governments, corporations, individuals and groups

6.Volunteers:

  • Develop a system for ongoing volunteer recruitment
  • Publicly recognize the contribution of volunteers to demonstrate appreciation for their work
  • Create a three-tiered organization for volunteers to differentiate: ongoing positions on the board, administering; project-based positions building or maintaining trails; annual or seasonal positions
  • Promote family-centered opportunities to participate in trails.

With only five years left to complete the Trail for 2017, time is running short and co-ordinated and determined action must be the next step forward. The STA is currently working on strategic plan, incorporating the feedback garnered from the summit into actionable items to take forward in the next stages of trail development in Saskatchewan.