Oak Ridges Trail Association 1992-2017 Local Chapters Developed the Trail Chapter Five CHAPTER FIVE There have been so many ORTA Members and community personnel involved in LOCAL CHAPTERS DEVELOPED THE TRAIL the development of the trail that we cannot name them all. So what follows is a summary of each chapter’s story highlighting the principal characters and events. By Engaging Landowners and Each story is surprisingly unique. Participating in Community Events From time to time re- routing is necessitated by After the Founding Meeting in May 1992 the CORT Board had to decide how to changes in land ownership actually develop the trail. It would not happen overnight, but would come into or as opportunities arise to being “mile by mile” as potential routes were identified. The Bruce Trail was a use more attractive or model, but each of their clubs was responsible for, typically, some 60 km of trail more secure routes. and was to an extent self-governing. Whilst the folk who joined CORT embraced the wider vision, in practical terms they were focussed on how the trial would pass Thus this chapter includes through their community. The logical conclusion was to form Chapters each significant local corresponding to the Municipality which the trail would cross. Chapter committees developments throughout would be working groups with the remit to promote the association locally, scout the 25 years 1992 – 2017. out potential routes, negotiate with landowners, designate and maintain their There is a sense in which section of trail. Each Chapter Chair would be their representative on the Board. the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail will never be finished; It was never envisaged that ORTA would own land; this was not provided for in maintenance by local the Letters Patent or any updating of the Constitution. Rather existing trails would volunteers is ongoing. be upgraded as necessary for incorporation into a moraine-wide hiking trail system; some new lengths of trail would be needed to link them together. This From a series of cartoons in a Community Newspaper. necessitated negotiations and agreements with public and private landowners. Public lands offer advantages in terms of securing the trail route in perpetuity. In many ways this is an exciting chapter; second only to Chapter One. In what But to avoid walking along roads links along private lands such as the margins of order should the chapters’ stories be compiled? In various presentations the trail fields are always an attractive option. Thus at the end of 2009 there were some has been reviewed from west to east, Map 0 to Map 12. Since this is an historical 50 Landowners who are acknowledged in Appendix 5.1. account it seemed appropriate to present them in the order of date of formation: We must acknowledge the tremendous contribution of Uxbridge the Trail Directors who have coordinated trail King developments; ensured agreements are in place with Scugog the Landowners; and set and monitored trail Whitchurch-Stouffville maintenance standards: Caledon Keith Stafford 1997 – 2000 Aurora Tony Bulson 2000 Clarington Ray Matsalla 2001 – 2003 Hope-Hamilton Peter Schaefer 2003 – 2008 Richmond Hill Garry Niece 2008 – taking a rest? Humber Headwaters 501 Oak Ridges Trail Association 1992-2017 Local Chapters Developed the Trail Chapter Five UXBRIDGE CHAPTER Township of Uxbridge, Durham Regional Municipality York-Durham Line, Map 5 to Map 6, Lake Ridge Road On January 11th. 1993 twenty-one supporters attended a meeting which established Uxbridge Chapter, headed at first by Teresa Porter. So, for the record it became the association’s first chapter, but only by two days. Teresa was also the CORT Treasurer and soon after Tom Rance became the Chapter Chair. Durham Region’s Official Plan adopted by the Regional Council in June 1991 had envisioned a “continuous system of open space that shall weave through the natural and man-made environment . opportunities for a variety of recreational activities . and protect the Oak Ridges Moraine.” “Intrusion of the expanding urban area into this Major Open Space System . would not be permitted.” “Promote the creation of linked trails throughout the system for public use.” Thus a trail system was a key element of this plan which encompassed Durham Forest and several MTRCA properties. In fact, Tom Rance admitted at the 1994 ORTA AGM that the amount of public land made establishing trail routing much easier than in other townships. David Armour and Frank Van Hezewijk plotted a potential route which Tom walked with MTRCA representatives on May 29th. 1 The cooperation of the Town of Uxbridge and MTRCA was forthcoming, but CORT would have to fund developments such as signage and boardwalks. However sorting out the insurance and other conditions for an agreement with MTRCA for a trail corridor through the Walker property was a protracted process. ORTA’s Funding plans were not developed; should chapters be responsible for their own financing? Tom took the initiative to seek grants for projects within Uxbridge. A 26 km section was opened in the fall of 1995. The highlight of August 1996 was the assistance provided by a 10 member team from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. To enjoy this working holiday they had to pay their own way! Opposite a section of Uxbridge Chapter’s working map, issue 4, August 1966 and the BTCV’s brochure which offered 68 opportunities between May and November 1996. 1 SGB: this brings to mind how little composite mapping was published 25 years ago. 502 Oak Ridges Trail Association 1992-2017 Local Chapters Developed the Trail Chapter Five Along one rather moist section near the Secord Property beautiful Lady Slipper Orchids are found about one year in four. Tom Rance returned to the responsibilities of Chapter Chair for two years. The Trans Canada Trail includes a short section coincident with the ORT through Durham Forest. TRCA approved and blazed loop trails in East and West Walker Woods in 2001; in 2002 ORTA established the Frank Shaw Trail in North A collection of photographs shows the team not only Walker Woods. Guidebook Map 5 shows worked hard but played hard with their hosts. the many side trails in the area. Despite receiving much attention from mosquitos Above: the BCTV Shuttle they went on to work on the Voyageur Trail. In 2003 Brian Millage became Chapter Chair; one of his first tasks was working with TRCA to Grants totalling $12,000 were received during 1996-7. And 75 tons of gravel was eliminate unnecessary trails in this area. donated by the Aggregate Producers Association in November 1997. Mountain bikers and equestrians also use trails Ralph Shier worked long after dark to get all the gravel in Durham Forest and Walker Woods. Brian placed without extending the rental has been proactive to ensure good of the Bobcat into the next day. relationships between ORTA, the Durham Mountain Bikers Association (DMBA) and other A route across Uxbridge was finalized in 1997, users of the Conservation Areas and Regional agreements were signed with MTRCA and MNR, Forests. The DMBA is responsibly participating and the trail blazed. in trail maintenance and has separately signed routes in some areas. Having achieved so much, Tom Rance moved on to become ORTA President, handing over In 2003 the Town of Uxbridge, through the leadership of the chapter to Ralph Shier with Trail “Uxbridge Naturally” initiative commenced the Captains Frank Van Hezewijk, Elizabeth Martins creation of a network of urban and rural trails – the “Countryside Trails” - which and David Armour committed to ensuring upkeep. connect with the Oak Ridges and Trans-Canada Trails. The town has rightly claimed the designation “Trail Capital of Canada.” Exploration continues with In 1999 some rerouting was reported by Colin objective of making connections with Rouge Park and a trail to Lake Ontario. Barnet, Chapter Chair 1998 – 2001, to avoid wet areas in the Secord property. This has proved to From the get-go ORTA’s Uxbridge Chapter has been in the forefront of the be an on-going issue over the years. The TRCA association’s development and we enjoy the many beautiful hiking opportunities; periodically closes sections for rejuvenation. most recently the re-route through the Skyloft property to Lake Ridge Road at the eastern end; see Guidebook Map 6. 503 Oak Ridges Trail Association 1992-2017 Local Chapters Developed the Trail Chapter Five KING CHAPTER On May 7, 1995 a 14 km section was opened with a hike by 53 people from 7th. Township of King, York Regional Municipality Concession through Mary Lake and Seneca College properties to Bathurst Street. Eric quoted Winston Churchill, with regard to the King Section of the trail: “This is King-Caledon Townline, Map 1 to Map 2, Bathurst Street not the end, nor is it the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning.” th. On the 13 January 1993 King Chapter was formed with Fiona Cowles as its The 1997 AGM was appropriately held in the Log Cabin on Seneca Campus. Tom leader – only two days after Uxbridge Chapter. Atkins reported the trail had been extended north on the Happy Valley allowance and then to the 8th Concession through some farmland. th At the AGM on May 30 . Fiona presented a map showing the route being planned th across King Township. She noted the section between Weston Road and 7 In August 1997 an experienced team Concession has been barricaded and they would need to repair damage by ATVs. of six from the British Trust for King Greenway Committee has been working with CORT on this, and the Toronto Conservation Volunteers augmented BTA Club had offered to assist. From Happy Valley it would continue east under by a Canadian volunteer and assisted th Highway 400 along 16 Sideroad (passing Fiona’s house) to Jane Street.