Submitted by Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Environment Group
Zane Davies of TREADscape, a trail development professional for over 13 years, shared his experiences with trail development and the state of Ontario’s Trails.
He is passionate about building natural surface, single track non-motorized trails. However, due to funding obligations, many trails are built as multi-use, which he says simply do not work well to maximize user experience.
His peeves are those trails that he described as: Troads, created using a road standard and Flails, use of mulch on a public trail, good for a flowerbed but not recommended in sustainable trail building.
He highlighted issues with various trails, including the trail to Lion’s Head Lookout, especially the need to manage user experience; while the Waterfront Trail is actually a route and Zane would like to see the signage modified to reflect that.
Zane gave examples of Ontario trails to explain some of the considerations in developing trails. He stated that a good trail design is positive, safe and sustainable.
He said “Don’t be a troader or flailure”; use and apply a trail standard (not a road, path, sidewalk, greenway, ATR) and a Trail Classification. He recommends utilizing in situ material (mineral soil, boulders, rock) or crushed aggregate. It is important to determine design use of the trail as well as how much risk and care will be required to monitor and maintain the trail. If you build it you will have to maintain it – annually or seasonally, depending on frequency of use.
To see the presentation, please go to YouTube and type in Bruce Peninsula Environment Group or use this link https://www.youtube.com/@brucepeninsulaenvironmentg325
The next BPEG meeting will be March 5, 7 p.m. at Anglican Church Hall in Lion’s Head. Topic will be Fire Smart presented by Krista Tiernan of the Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Department.
