trail solutions

In the early 1920s, Upper Canada College acquired land in the small village of Norval, just outside Georgetown, ON, with hopes to relocate their boarding school to the country. But in the years following the First World War, expansion was out of the question. Rather than relocate the entire school to Norval, the Board decided to keep the property as a field centre to cultivate the boys' outdoor education. For many decades after, students travelled to Norval to camp, learn survival skills, and plant trees.

Next month, IMBA Canada will kick off a series of trail building workshops in Crothers Woods, and at the Bayview Bike Park. Ten workshops with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority are scheduled throughout 2012, and IMBA Canada staff will be participating, along with Sustainable Trails Ltd.

Attending groups include the Toronto Off-Road Cycling Association (TORBA), Youth Unlimited, Wild Betty's Cycling Club, and Evergreen Bike Works.

Stay tuned to the calendar for more information on the workshops, including who will be facilitating.

This past weekend saw Daniel Scott head back to central Ontario to teach a new group of students about the fundamentals of trail design. Over the course two days students were bombarded with as much information as possible whilst being quizzed repeatedly by our resident Trail Solutions staffer. Using a variety of slides, chalkboard drawings and anecdotal information, the class was prepared for a beautiful sunny afternoon of inclinometer work, flagging and assessment in the local green space, Ken Reid Conservation Area.

Greetings IMBA members. Hope everyone had a safe, fun-filled holidays and is settling into their respective winter activities while preparing for the snow to melt and trails to open once more. While waiting I thought I’d take some time to get you up to speed on all the work that IMBA Canada’s Trail Solutions program has had the privileged of being involved in through the seasons of 2011.