Lanark County Recreational Trails Business Plan September 2005 Prepared by Gordon Harrison Lanark County Recreational Trails Business Plan Table of Contents Introduction 1 Background 2 Terms of Reference 3 Planning Milestones 4 Trails 5 Trail Users & Uses 8 Public Values 16 Partners 17 Opportunities 20 Trails—What Do They Cost? 23 Trails—Sources of Revenue & Funding 27 Economic Benefits of Trails 32 Issues 33 Marketing a Trails Network 36 Selecting an Administrative Option 39 The Preferred Administrative Option 44 The Alternate Administrative Option 49 APPENDICES (to be completed) County-EOTA Agreements A Members of the Trails Working Group B Trail-Use & Compatibility Matrix C Introduction Trails—An Exciting Adventure Trails are for residents. Trails are for tourists. Trails are for hikers, walkers, snowmobilers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, off-road motorcyclists, ATV users, joggers, and cyclists. Trails are for bird-watching, enjoying nature, getting from a to b, photography, checking out historical sites, commuting, outdoor learning, and taking a quiet moment out of life’s hustle-and- bustle. Participation in trail-based recreational activities is rapidly growing, and all indicators are that growth will continue in the coming years. Cycling, jogging and birdwatching are some of the fastest growing trail-based activities. When asked their favourite outdoor activity, 84% of Canadians report walking. (“The Economic Benefits of Trails,” Trail Monitor Newsletter, published by Go for Green, 1999). Recreational trails are a valuable and desirable community asset. Trail use promotes healthy active lifestyles and environmental awareness. Trails are accessible to all income levels, and can be accessible for people with physical challenges. Trails can be a tool for building community spirit and cooperation. Municipal economic development departments and community businesses recognize that well planned and well managed trail systems can generate significant economic benefits. Lanark County Recreational Trails Revised Draft Business Plan, August 2005 Page 1 Background County Trails The County of Lanark owns the portion of the Havelock-Glen Tay Trail located in the County. This Trail runs from just east of Havelock to Glen Tay, with the County’s portion running along the abandoned rail bed parallel to and south of Highway #7. On April 3, 2000, the County of Lanark signed an Agreement with the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) to manage this trail. Under the terms of the Agreement, the County retains ownership of the corridor. The EOTA is responsible for the development and maintenance of the trail and trail corridor, paying taxes on the corridor lands, and obtaining and keeping in force $10 million of liability insurance. The County pays $3,000 annually toward EOTA’s liability insurance costs. Access to the trail and trail corridor is at the discretion of the EOTA. On April 13, 2005, the County renewed its Agreement with EOTA. Appendix A contains both the original and the renewed Agreements. The County of Lanark owns over 4,638 hectares of Community Forests. The Business Plan for Community Forests of Lanark County (2002) noted that many people now use trails that run through Community Forest properties, and the Plan identified the potential to develop and promote Community Forest trails. Other Trails The Trans-Canada Trail comes into the County in two places. The Ottawa-Carleton Trailway runs from Ottawa to Carleton Place, while the Cataraqui Trail runs from just north of Napanee to Smiths Falls. The County is criss-crossed by many public and private trails, from the K & P Snow Trails to the ski trail at Murphy’s Point Provincial Park. Opportunities & Challenges There is a very real opportunity to create a network of recreational trails that supports a wide variety of recreational uses, promotes environmental appreciation and healthy lifestyles, and supports local businesses and economic development. Many trails groups, local businesses, health organizations and others have indicated their readiness to actively participate in the development, maintenance and promotion of trails. This is a significant opportunity. The County of Lanark recently completed its community vision and corporate strategic planning process. The values and priorities laid out in this landmark document are similar to those found in the Business Plan for Recreational Trails. This confluence strengthens a commitment to develop trails, and is an opportunity. The mandate of the County of Lanark is broad, often stretching the tax dollar thin. The challenge is to seize the opportunities afforded by trails in a responsible and cost-effective manner. Lanark County Recreational Trails Revised Draft Business Plan, August 2005 Page 2 Terms of Reference Developing a Trails Business Plan—Terms of Reference In March of 2003, the County of Lanark issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a Business Plan for Recreational Trails. The Terms of Reference listed in the RFP are: 1. Develop an inventory of existing trails and uses. 2. Identify stakeholders and groups that have an interest in the Lanark County Recreational Trails. 3. Develop a profile of existing and potential trail users. 4. Identify the public values and opportunities of the Lanark County Recreational Trails. 5. Review relevant, successful business plans and master plans for trails in other communities. 6. Identify potential partnerships. 7. Develop (administrative) options for the development and management of trails in Lanark County. 8. For each option, outline revenues and costs. 9. Ensure there is public consultation throughout the planning process. Lanark County Recreational Trails Revised Draft Business Plan, August 2005 Page 3 Planning Milestones 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 in all stages of developing a Recreational Trails Business Plan. The following lays out the milestones of the planning process to date: June, 2003 The planning process is launched by informing the public of the process and of their opportunities to help shape the Plan. June 23, 2003 A Public Meeting is held, where the public provided input on the process, values, existing trails, and uses of trails. Summer of 2003 The Trails Working Group met to develop a Vision, Principles and Objectives, and to provide input on key issues. Please see Appendix B for a list of the members of the Trails Working Group. October, 2003 The Draft Plan Recreational Trails Business Plan was released. On October 30, 2003, a Public Meeting was held, where the public provided comment and input on the Draft Plan. May to October, 2004 Consulting with the Working Group and stakeholders, the Trails Sub-Committee developed and tested administrative options to select a Preferred and an Alternate Option. June, 2004 The Trails Sub-Committee met with staff of area municipalities to learn about municipal trails & activities. Public delegations presented submissions to the Trails Sub- Committee on the Plan and on the Administrative Options. November 30, 2004 The Trails Sub-Committee met with Working Group to review the Preferred & Alternate Administrative Options. February 10, 2005 The Trails Sub-Committee met with the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance to receive an update on EOTA activities. April 6, 2005 The Preferred and Alternate Administrative Options were presented to the Community Development Committee (a committee of the whole). The Committee passed a motion to further analyze the County’s preferred option, a municipal trails corporation. Lanark County Recreational Trails Revised Draft Business Plan, August 2005 Page 4 Trails The following briefly describes the public and private trails of Lanark County and area. Havelock to A user-pay, multi-use trail that runs from Havelock to Glen-Tay. Some Glen-Tay Trail users report some sections of the trail are unsuitable for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. The County of Lanark owns the portion of the trail located within County boundaries—a section of trail approximately 8.3 km long, running parallel to and south of Highway #7 on abandoned rail line. This portion is currently managed by the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, under a Letter of Agreement with the County (please see Appendix A). Ottawa-Carleton The Trailway is part of the Trans-Canada Trail system, and runs from Trailway Ottawa to Carleton Place. Permitted uses include walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Cataraqui Trail The Cataraqui runs from Napanee to Smiths Falls, and is owned by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. Permitted uses include walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Developing the The potential is to create a east-west section of the Trans Canada Trail Trans Canada (linking the Trailway to the Havelock-Glen Tay Trail) and a north- Trail in the County south section (linking the Cataraqui to the Trailway). The permitted uses on the Trans Canada Trail are generally snowmobiling, horseback riding, walking, skiing and snowshoeing. The only way to create these links would be to use municipal road allowances, where there would be concerns about the use of ATVs and perhaps even snowmobiles. Community The County of Lanark owns 42 community forest properties, totalling Forests 4,638 hectares. The Community Forest Business Plan (2002) identifies