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Trent University is among the organizations being represented on a newly created Government of Ontario Minister's Advisory Committee on Trails. The 19-member committee will provide advice on the development of an Ontario Trails Strategy, Tourism and Recreation Minister Jim Bradley announced in December.

Professor Emeritus John Marsh, director of Trent's Trail Studies Unit, has been asked to sit on the committee, whose members will provide expertise and attend consultation sessions in their communities. The committee will provide advice on key trail issues, such as economic sustainability, landowner concerns, safety, road rights-of-way, active living, environmental and cultural heritage impacts, and opportunities, and tourism development potential.

"The Trail Studies Unit has over 3,000 books, journal articles, research reports and theses on trails, so I can provide the committee with research findings that will help in developing the policy," says Prof. Marsh. "I will also raise awareness of the ongoing contribution universities, such as Trent, can make through their research and teaching to the appropriate planning and management of trails, and to training those responsible for them. Finally I have the opportunity to raise issues and seek solutions pertaining to trails, such as the Trans Canada Trail, in the Peterborough area."

Trent's Trail Studies Unit, established in 1992, has been recognized internationally and is the official resource centre of the Ontario Trails Council. It operates a resource centre, researches and consults, plans courses and conferences and produces interpretation materials. The Unit is located in room ESC B204 and is staffed and open for use during the academic term from Monday through Thursday. The Unit employs two students and many of its resources are available at: www.trentu.ca/trailstudies.

"Our government values the important role played by trails in building recreational and tourism opportunities across Ontario," said Minister Bradley. "The role of this committee will be to help us develop an Ontario Trails Strategy, which will provide strategic directions and set priorities for trails in Ontario."

The development of an Ontario Trails Strategy is part of the ministry's ACTIVE2010 initiative, a new strategy to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Ontario. Its goal is to achieve higher physical activity rates and increased sport participation to improve the health of Ontarians and their quality of life.

Posted January 18, 2005

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