Woolwich Trails Group

Thursday, May 6th, 2004

Meeting Minutes

 

Chairperson: Gloria Yeung

Those attending:  Jim Bauman, Loretta Dunn, Fred Hager, Paul Miller, Ann Roberts, John and Bev Robinson, Nancy Stayzer, Art Woods, Gloria Yeung.

1.                  Membership Committee Report: 

§         Membership forms were mailed with water bills in March and April. John reported that 19 new memberships were received after the March mailout.

§         John R. presented his membership report:  75 members to date for 2004.  $1435 has been received to date for 2004 memberships.  37% of 2003 members have renewed in 2004.

§          Guidebooks:  Since the last meeting Eleanor has collected $355 for guidebook sales.  There are approx. 66 guidebooks remaining.  The group needs to be looking at producing the next edition in the fall.  All members are asked to review the current edition and advise Gloria of any changes for the next edition.

2.                   April Hike:  Paul, Nancy and Brad lead the April hike and bike at RIM Park.  The weather in the morning was very wet making attendance low.  4 people attended the hike and 2 were there to bike. 

3.                   May Hike:  The May hike will be on the GVT between Rosendale Corners and Victoria Street.  Shirley will lead the hike.

4.                   Grand Actions Registry:  Gloria has submitted the 2003 activities of the trails group for the Grand Actions Registry.  The registry is produce by the GRCA and is a compilation of environmental related activities of groups within the watershed. 

5.                   Privacy Act:   John was not able to attend the meeting, but was able to meet with the compliance rep at work regarding the Privacy Act w.r.t. the trails group.  The following are John’s comments: 

§         Although charitable organizations do not need to be too concerned by the regulations it does make good business sense to market our responsiveness to this issue to the general public.  The following are suggested recommendations:  1- Send out minutes without showing email addresses for all folks on the distribution list, i.e. send as blind copy.  2- Do not sell or distribute our membership list to third parties.  3- Safeguard membership information from theft or misuse.  4- Where membership applicants sign the application form add something like “I authorize the WTG to retain and use this information for the purposes of supporting the WTG community based activity programs….”.  5- Add to all printed documents and the website something like “Membership information used for WTG purposes only and will not be shared with third parties.  Information will be retained by the membership secretary.  If you have questions, or would like more information or would like to volunteer with the WTG, the secretary can be reached at __________.”   Ann to revise the hike waiver for the May hike.  Ann to connect with John re appropriate rewording of the waiver.  Loretta will send Ann suggested wording for privacy information on the website.

6.                   Mapping for Kiosks:  The existing map on the kiosk behind the firehall will be used on the Mill Race kiosk at the St. Jacobs end and the dam end of the trail.  Gloria has solved the ink fading problem on the existing sign (we need to use inks for outdoor use plus use a UV protected laminate) and will correct the situation for the new maps. Gloria will contact Melinda at the Region (when she returns on May 20th) to see about format for printing the new maps.  

7.                  April Work Parties: 

§         A big thank you goes out to Mark for organizing several work parties to construct 2 kiosks for the Mill Race Trail and one for Priddle Park.  Volunteers worked two evenings, April 14 (Mark, Jim, Paul, Clint, Maynard, John R.) and 15th (Mark, John R, Bev, Jim), at Menno S. Martin shop in St. Jacobs to cut and stain the kiosks.  On April 17th folks (Paul, Mark and Pete) met with Mark to install the posts.  On the 24th several folks (Mark, Jim, Nancy and Cory, Clint, Gloria, John R., Inga and Ella plus Pete and fellow Optimist members at Priddle Park) came out to construct the kiosks on site.  The three kiosks were essentially completed by 3:30 that afternoon.  Mark and his Dad hope to finish the kiosks over the next few weeks.  Thanks to the efforts of many folks, the kiosks look wonderful.  

8.                   Memorial Forest:  Carry over item to the next meeting.

9.                   Endowment Fund: Inga will report as information becomes available.

10.               WHC Newsletter:  Joy is looking for feedback on the WHC newsletter.  Any suggestions for improvement?  What else would you like to see? What is the best time of year for distribution?  Please send any comments to Joy at the Health Centre: 664-2792 x 230 or jfinney@wchc.on.ca.

11.               WHC Celebration Dinner: For the past two years the Health Centre has hosted a thank you dinner for its volunteers.  Joy would like any feedback from members.  Do people like to attend?  Is winter a good time to host this celebration?  Any other comments, please send to Joy at the Health Centre: 664-2792 x 230 or jfinney@wchc.on.ca.

12.               Cars and Planning Video:  Joy has a short video about planning urban spaces around the car.  Gloria may bring to a future meeting for the group to view.

13.               WHC package for new members:  Joy would like to prepare an information package for new WHC members.  Package to include: WHC history, local food map, WHC report, World Health Organization info, background report, flyer re WHC groups.  Loretta volunteered to help with the flyer.   Please send any suggestions to Joy.

14.               Breslau:  

§         Link between Hopewell Creek subdivision and Country Side Village/Forwell Creek (along the Grand River and the park): Loretta looked for a link between the two developments but with no luck.  The railway presents a barrier.  Ann reviewed the property maps and did a drive through and could find no obvious link.

§         Package for Thomasfield homes (Hopewell Creek):  Loretta contacted the folks at Thomasfield homes about the possibility of including some information about the Breslau Rec. association in their sales package.  Thomasfield homes is happy to include this info.  Loretta will prepare some information about the rec. association and trails and bring to the next meeting.

15.               Elmira Lions Club Report:  Art reported the following activities:

1.       There have been some problems with horses damaging the trail around the Woolwich reservoir.  Art noted that the Flame of Hope Ride is planned for May 29th on the Kissing Bridge Trailway and that event organizers always repair the trail after the event.

2.       Trees were planted in the memorial forest along the KBT in Elmira on May 1st.  More to be planted on May 8. 

3.       The club received the cheque from the OntarioTrillium Foundation to begin trail construction in the Elmira Industrial lands. Lions members will work on the new trail during the evening of May 19th.

4.       Lions members will plant 200 trees in the Breslau memorial forest on June 2nd.

16.               Conestogo/Wintebourne Optimist Club Report:  Peter reported that the kiosk is up at Priddle Park.  Wood chips will be spread on the path to the canoe launch and around the trees this spring.  The bridge over Spring Creek on the KBT is now installed.  Stone dust will be installed between Northfield Drive and the Grand River in late summer or early fall.

17.               Report on bridges on the HVT:  Mark, John and Merle have repaired much of the damage done on the HVT from the spring flooding. The steps just west of the second gate are still in need of repair.  Mark has plans when conditions are drier.  Please let Mark know if you would like to help with this project.   

 

 

Upcoming dates to remember…….

 

Next Trails Group Meeting:  Thursday June 17, 2004, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

 

Next TWEEC Work Party: Saturday May 15th, Elmira.  Please contact Ann at 669-1647 x265 or Schering@look.ca if you would like to help plant trees.

 

May 29th Watershed Clean-up Day: Join TWEEC (Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee) for clean-up projects in your local community.  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.  There are several areas in Woolwich where clean-up activities are planned.  Or simply take an hour and clean up a corner of Woolwich Township.

Please contact Ann at 669-1647 x265 or Schering@look.ca for more information about the planned clean-up areas.

 

Next Sunday Family Hike: 

Sunday, May 16th, 2004, 2pm, Grand Valley Trail from Rosendale to Victoria Street.

Enjoy the spring wild flowers! Meet on Hopewell Creek Road just east of Sawmill Road (at Rosendale Corners).

Trail rating: earthen natural path on varying topography; suitable for intermediate hikers.

 

 

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 to have your name removed from the mailing list.  Please also advise Ann of any changes in your contact information.  Thanks.