Woolwich Trails Group

Thursday, January 15, 2004

Meeting Minutes

 

Chairperson: Gloria Yeung

Those attending:  Jim Bauman, Mark Bauman, Murray Beacom, Shirley Craig, Eleanor Hrabi, John McEachen, Paul Miller, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, John Robinson, Peter Scheuring, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung.

1.                  Membership Committee Report:  John R. reported that there were 136 members (including lifetime members) in 2003. There are 29 renewals todate for 2004.  Decided to send membership forms with the March/April water bill mail-outs from the Township.  John M. suggests sending press releases regarding the Breslau trail development and the Elmira Ring Trail development to correspond with the March/April mail-outs to get people thinking about hiking and trails.

2.                  November Hike Report:  The November hike was on the Grand Valley Trail between Pilkington Road 8 and the south property boundary of the Elora Conservation Authority.  Shirley and Ann lead the hike. There were 9 hikers in attendance.  The weather was misty but mild, making it a good day for hiking. 

3.                  2004 Hike Schedule:  The 2004 hike schedule is now available.  Thanks to Murray and Paul for helping put together the schedule.  Paul suggested that a wooden sandwich board be made with “Hike Today with the Woolwich Trails Group”.  The sign could be set up at the meeting place for each hike.  It would give the group good exposure, may invite others in the vicinity, and makes it easy for those looking for the hike location.  Nancy Stayzer has an extra sandwich board and has offered to have her grade 8 students paint it.  Ann will purchase one first aid kit to be shared by the hike leaders.  John M. offered to have legal staff at his workplace review the existing hike waiver form with respect to the new Privacy Act (discussed below).  Ann asked if there were other members who would like to help with hikes in 2004.  It is helpful to have 2 leaders at each hike, if possible. The following offers were made: January hike:  Jim and Brad; March hike: Nancy; April hike: Paul and Nancy; May hike: Shirley; September hike: Joy; October hike: Paul; November hike: Ann. 

4.                  Environmental Enhancement Committee:  A new committee is being formed with a partnership between the Township and Woolwich Healthy Communities.  The Committee will establish and coordinate a program to improve the environment in the Township.  The Committee will consist of 11 members: 4 from Woolwich Healthy Communities, 1 council member, 1 Township staff person and the remainder from Woolwich residents.  WHC members interested in being on the Committee are asked to send a note to Joy Finney at the Woolwich Health Centre by January 28th.  Please see attached information. 

5.                  Conestogo Winterbourne Optimist Club Update: Peter reported that the club received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to install stone dust on the Kissing Bridge Trailway between Northfield Drive and Middlebrook Road and to install a bridge over Spring Creek.  The club plans to do this work in 2004.  The club also has money to pay for the materials for a kiosk at Priddle Park.  Peter asked if the group would be able to provide help with construction.  Mark offered to help organize the project.  Gloria has agreed to produce a map.  Peter walked the right of way between Misty River Dr. and the river in Conestogo (the eastern extension of Flax Mill Dr.).  He agrees with this area for a trail as it would provide a safe link from the river to the school, as Sawmill Road does not have sidewalks. 

6.                  Work Parties:  Winter work party: Mark is planning to do some repair work on the bridge over Martin’s Creek.  It will be fairly short notice and just a few helpers will be needed. Paul, John R. and Nancy volunteered to help.  Spring work parties: kiosk construction at Priddle Park and Mill Race; maintenance of a section of the Grand Valley Trail north of West Montrose; section of the Elmira Ring Trail between Whippoorwill and South Park Blvd and some wood chip trail sections on the Health Valley Trail need to be topped up; possible trail clearing in the Elmira Industrial Lands as part of the Elmira Ring Trail; Sandy Hills Pinery Trail (this will depend on status of their management plan).  Other work party ideas are always welcome.  May 29th Watershed Clean-up Day:  The Grand River Conservation Authority is sponsoring a Heritage River Clean-up Day on May 29th.  This is to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage River designation of the Grand River.  Mark and Ann will be organizing this event.  More information will follow when available.  Environmental Projects: Work parties will be planned to carry out projects developing as part of the environmental enhancement plan.  More information will be available with the formation of the committee and the plan.

7.                  Memorial Forest:  Mark presented his idea at the November meeting for a memorial forest along the TCT/HVT behind the firehall in St. Jacobs. The Trails group could be in charge of administering this project.  A nursery would be hired to plant the trees.  Larry Devitt is in favour of the idea and agrees with using the old compost area for the forest. Art Woods, Elmira Lions Club, provided some good information from the experience with the Elmira Lions Club’s memorial forest on the KBT just west of Arthur St. in Elmira.  Art offered the following tips from Club’s experience with its memorial forest: hiring a nursery to plant the trees, planting trees 4 to 7 feet tall, planting “imperfect” trees is a cost saver and are quite satisfactory in the long run, plaques are produced by Northside Trophies in St. Jacobs, plaque stands are produced by Reist Welding in Elmira, the Lions club charges $100 per tree, to keep it simple people are allowed to choose a native hardwood or evergreen.  

8.                  Grand Valley Trail Updates:  There have been reroutes/changes with the GVT in Woolwich.  The section between Bloomingdale and Conestogo is closed.  The GVTA will work on finding a reroute in the spring.  At the request of a landowner, near marker 188, north of West Montrose is closed.  The GVTA will reroute and reblaze this in the spring.  The GVTA is facing some challenges in terms manpower for trail maintenance.  They thank the group for offering to help with trail maintenance north of West Montrose in 2004.

9.                  Privacy Act: Inga and John M. spoke to the new Privacy Act and how it might affect the trails group.  The Act is to allow individuals to give permission for their information to be used by the collector. Inga’s view is that as the WTG is not collecting confidential information then it is likely not an issue. John M. feels that the statement on the bottom of the group’s membership forms “Our privacy policy ensures that e-mail and mailing addresses are kept strictly for membership use” is satisfactory w.r.t. the Privacy Act.  John M. offered to review all other written material produced by the group and provide comment at our next meeting.

10.              Guidebook Reprint: At the November meeting the group present decided to ask Jim to print 500 copies of the current guidebook and insert an addendum.  Gloria met with Jim in December to go over printing.  Jim happened to have 275 covers remaining from the last printing.  Gloria asked Jim to print 275 copies and is now working on an addendum for insertion.  275 guidebooks will likely be enough to get through 2004.  We will need to start working on the 5th edition later this year.  Trails group members and the trail groups who normally provide input into the guidebook groups (Avon Trail, GVTA etc) were contacted and asked to provide comments/changes.  Gloria provided a draft addendum and asked for review and comment before printing next week.  The addendum will be inserted into the 275 new guidebooks and inserted into existing ones at the distribution points.  It will also be mailed to the membership and will be posted on the WHC and Township web pages.

11.              First Aid Course:  A Township staff person from Elmira pool is available to run a first aid course if there is enough interest in the group.  The rate is very reasonable…approximately $160 per group per session.  This cost would then be divided equally by those attending.  Six people signed up to take the course.  Ann will contact those signed-up to set a date.

12.              Upcoming events:  “Give Me a Break” is an event sponsored by the Waterloo Region Healthy Communities Coalition.  It is an evening of fun, socializing and entertainment in the middle of winter. Is is being held on Saturday February 28, 7:30 pm at Zion United Church, Kitchener.  James Gordon and Friends will be there.  For more information contact Joy at 664-3794.  See attached information. Leadership Skills Workshop: The Woolwich Community Health Centre invites its volunteers and community members to take part in a Leadership skills workshop on Saturday, March 6, 9am to 3 pm at the Health Centre. Topics focus on recognizing strengths and different leadership styles, leadership qualities and skills, such as conflict resolution and problem solving. There is no cost for the workshop and lunch is included. Barb Dyzuk will lead the session.  To register call Heidi at 664-3794 x 237 or Joy at x230 by February 27th.  See attached information.

13.              Woolwich Healthy Communities Annual Celebration:  The WHC coordinating committee is looking at either March 24th or 31st to hold their annual celebration.  The event will be similar to last year with members of the Trails Group, Clean Waterways Group and the Coordinating Committee coming together for an evening celebration at the Health Centre.  The meal will be provided by the Coordinating Committee.  Watch for your invitation to arrive soon. 

 

Upcoming dates to remember…….

 

Next Meeting:  Thursday February 19, 2004, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

 

WHC Annual Celebration:  Wednesday March 24th or 31st, 2004 (we’ll keep you posted).

 

Next Sunday Family Hike: 

Sunday, March 21st, 2004, 2pm

Join us on a two hour hike of the Mill Race and Health Valley/Trans Canada Trail in St. Jacobs.  Meet at the parking area on Three Bridges Road (Township Road 21) near the dam and low level bridge (between Hawkesville Road and Township Road 32).

This trail is easy walking stone dust; baby buggies and dogs on leashes are welcome.

 

 

Minutes prepared by Ann Roberts.  Questions?  Please call 669-1647 ext 265 or schering@look.ca .  Note: If you no longer wish to receive these minutes or other information from the trails group please contact Ann, as listed above, to have your name removed from the mailing list.  Please also advise Ann of any changes in your contact information.  Thanks.