Woolwich Trails Group

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Meeting Minutes

Chair person: Gloria Yeung

Those attending: Jim Bauman, Shirley Craig, Joyce Cummings(GVTA), Brad Fisher, Lucien Guillaume, Merle Hoffman, Jane Prime, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, Clint Rohr, John Robinson, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung.

1. Membership committee report: John R. reported 63 members thus far in 2005. Membership revenue total $735.

2. Draft WTG brochure: John drafted a brochure using a format similar to the WHC brochure. All reviewed and made comments on the brochure. John will make revisions and send to those interested in further review and comment. Suggestion made to have it printed in a colour other than green (to differentiate from the WHC brochure). Suggestion was made to put the brochure at the kiosks in a clear display unit with a lid. John will include a date and location code on the back of the brochure so that we can track the best locations for distributions. Super job, John!

3. Guidebooks: Gloria reported in Eleanor’s absence that there was little activity in terms of guidebook distribution since our last meeting. KW Tourism has a new format where they require those wishing advertising and in our case, guidebook sales, to purchase a membership (bronze levels starts at $150 annually). Given that the KW Tourism sold only 21 WTG guidebooks since 2001, the group decided that purchasing a membership annually was not a financially wise decision.

4. Map for Priddle Park: Gloria has the map finalized and ready to install in the kiosk. We will wait to hear from the Optimist club about other information to be posted.

5. March 20^th hike: Murray and Bev led the hike. There were 8 hikers.

6. April 17^th hike: Jane and Merle to lead the hike on the Elmira Lions Trail (around the Woolwich reservoir).

7. GVT: Joyce Cummings attended our meeting. Joyce is the trail director for the Waterloo County section (which includes the WTG maintenance section from West Montrose to the Woolwich/Pilkington border). Joyce thanked the WTG members for helping with trail maintenance on this section. She is also looking for someone to blaze the on-road section from Bloomingdale to Winterbourne. If anyone is interested please contact Joyce at 742-5197. Ann to send Joyce property information for the landowners between Bloomingdale and Conestogo. Three groups will inspect and maintain the WTG section of GVT in 2005: Gloria, John and Nancy in April; Jane and Loretta in July; Jim, Shirley and John in September.

8. Review of 2005 Project List:

1- Map of Elmira: no longer being pursued.

2- HVT improvements: Mark and two volunteers from Elmira will install the stone dust on the west side of the creek in the spring. Ann will make arrangements for woodchips.

3- Mileage markers: follow-up for next meeting with Eleanor,

4- Sandy Hills: on hold until we hear from Chris Gosselin,

5- Ring Trail: Art feels that there enough Lions members to install woodchips and signage.

6- GVT at West Montrose: John, Gloria and Nancy volunteered to do the April inspection of the trail. Loretta and Jane to do the summer inspection. John, Jim and Shirley to do September inspection.

7- Florica Subdivision in Conestogo: Will wait until more residents have moved in to investigate a trail network.

8- Breslau Link: Ann is investigating.

9- St. Jacobs link from Mill Race trail to new Triangle Park: Ann pursuing permission from the region.

10- John’s promo ideas from last meeting: see item #2 above.

11- Trail User Survey: Inga and Art talked about the benefits of doing a survey on the Kissing Bridge Trailway at Elmira. The group discussed also surveying the Optimist section. Ann to pull 2001 survey and send to Inga and Gloria for review. Ann to borrow a trail counter from the Trails Links Group.

12- School hike day: Hike day (as celebrated by the City of Waterloo) is Sunday October 2^nd. The group would like to initiate a hike day for the schools on Monday Oct. 3^rd. Suggestion made to send a letter to Woolwich schools detailing the trails that are available and how this could relate to the outdoor education curriculum. (It would be nice to also somehow have some of the March 29^th presentation to council available to students.) Students will be asked to participate in a hike day. Nancy suggested making it a challenge between schools. The letter could go to student councils suggesting it be a spirit day. We would like to somehow obtain some pedometers as a way to challenge the students to walk more. Gloria offered to explore her contact with Kellogs re obtaining some pedometers. Can we look for a sponsor or apply for funding for the pedometers? The group also would like to have another hike-on-a-bus. Will look to plan this on a Sunday afternoon in September. Would like to include stops at the new Breslau trail and the ring trail in Elmira. We would like to have Warren act as our tour guide. Ann to contact Warren about his interest and availability in September.

9. March 29^th Presentation to Council: The Trails Links Group, WTG, C/W Optimist Club, the Elmira Lions Club, the Clean Waterways Group and TWEEC made presentations to council about their recent activities. Thanks to all for the great presentations. It was a good opportunity for council and the public to hear about the good work being done as well as some of the challenges facing the groups.

10. Breslau Trail Update: Phase 1 of the Thomasfield Homes trail should be ready for use by summer.

11. Elmira Lions Club Report: Art was not available to report.

12. C/W Optimist Club: Pete was not available to report.

13. Charitable Status: This was discussed at the last WHCCC meeting. Decided that it is not really worth the time (reports need to be filed annually or lose the status) and money (legal work plus $500 to $600). Inga noted that the group can partner with other charitable status groups for funding applications.

14. Other Business:

· GRCA Foundation Luncheon: Gloria will attend a luncheon at GRCA on April 21^st and report any new information at the next meeting.

· Upcoming Work Parties: See dates to remember notes at end of minutes.

15. Next Meeting Date: Wednesday May 18^th, 7 pm at the firehall in St. Jacobs.

Dates to remember……

Next trails meeting date: Wednesday May 18^th, 2005, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

Pesticide-Free Lawn Care and Lawn Alternatives Workshop:

Mon. April 18^th, 7-8:30 pm and Wednesday April 20^th, 9:30 – 10:30 am. Woolwich Community Health Centre. Presenters: Susan Koswan, Anne Morgan. Everyone Welcome. No Cost. No Registration.

Next Family Sunday Hikes….

Sunday, April 17^th, 2005, 2 pm: 7 km/2 hour hike on the Elmira Lions Trail (Woolwich Reservoir), near Floradale

Meet at the Floradale park ball diamond behind the Mennonite Church on Florapine Road near Floradale Road (#19).

Trail rating: easy, well maintained trail; includes gravel, earthen and grassed sections.

Sunday, May 15^th, 2005, 2 pm: Grand Valley Trail from Rosendale to Victoria Street.

Enjoy the spring wildflowers! We hope to have someone out to identify the wildflowers. Meet on Hopewell Creek Road just east of Sawmill Rd(at Rosendale Corners). Trail rating: earthen natural path on varying topography; suitable for intermediate hikers.

For more information please call Murray Beacom (669-5680) or Paul Miller (664-3643).

Work Parties:

1. TWEEC Community Clean-up Day

When: Sat. April 23^{rd -} 8:30 am until noon.

Where: Gibson Park, Elmira and Snider Park, St. Jacobs

Hosted by: Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) and Tim Hortons.

Limited quantities of t-shirts and gloves will be provided to volunteers. Please bring gloves in case supplies run out before you arrive. Refreshments and garbage bags will be available to all.

Please call Ann Roberts at 669-1647 x 265 for more info.

2. Clean Waterways Tree Planting Days

When:

School Planting Day: Wednesday April 27^th - 9:30 am to 3 pm

Community Planting Day: Saturday April 30^th – 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Where: Melvin and Ellen Gingrich farm @ 945 Sandy Hills Drive.

Please bring a shovel and gloves.

Call Barb Taylor, Clean Waterways Group, at 669-3961 for more info.

3. TWEEC Roadside Tree Planting, Winterbourne.

When: Saturday May 7^th – 8 am to noon.

Where: A one km stretch of Lundy Road between Katherine Street and Cox Road.

Please bring a shovel and gloves.

Call Ann Roberts at 669-1647 x 265 for more info.

Minutes prepared by Ann Roberts. Questions? Please contact Ann at 669-1647 x265 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. Thanks.