Chair person: Gloria Yeung

Those attending: Mark Bauman, Murray Beacom, Eleanor Hrabi, Jane Prime, Ann Roberts, John Robinson, Lou Sattler, Pete Scheuring, Gloria Yeung.

1. Membership committee report: John R. reported 53 members thus far in 2005. John also presented some promotion ideas: 1- promotion sheet and application forms on hiking sandwich board. 2– membership promotion on kiosks. 3 – any inexpensive advertising mediums? 3- create standard promotion sheet (8.5 x 11 poster) and look for strategic opportunities for placement. 4–pocket size or smaller three fold application form that is convenient to distribute. Jane suggested a box be added to the form saying “If no changes in contact information please check here”. Could we get ideas/comments from John or Loretta? Does the group want to target more prospects for membership? E.g. fitness classes. Does the group want to set up a separate email address for the group? We currently have more than one address on printed material, which can be confusing. John will investigate setting up a yahoo or hotmail address.

2. Guidebooks: Eleanor reported depositing $616 to the trails account. Since the last meeting guidebooks were distributed to Words Worth Books. Words Worth Books ranked the Guidebook as No. 19 in non fiction sales for 2004 with 81 copies sold.

3. Charitable Status: Discussed whether or not the Trails Group should look to obtain charitable status designation. The group can no longer qualify for the Manulife grant as in past years, due to lack of status. Is the group missing out on grant opportunities with no charitable status? There have been a few requests as to whether the group could issue a charitable receipt for a donation. Could a tax receipt be issued by the Township for WHC on behalf of the trails group? What would it take for the group to become a registered charity? Ann to ask Joy add this as an agenda item for the next WHC coordinating committee meeting.

4. Schelter’s Stationary: On November 25^th (moonlight madness in Elmira) Eleanor, Murray and Loretta attended a book signing by Katherine Jacob at Schelter’s Office Pro in Elmira. The folks at Schelter’s offered to donate some of the proceeds from the sale of Katherine Jacob’s book to the trails group.

5. Financial Report: Members reviewed the year end financial statement for the trails group prepared by Don Harloff (thanks Don!). The group is in good shape financially. The group’s GIC comes up for renewal in April. Will need to decide if it gets rolled over or cashed for 2005 projects.

6. Mill Race Trail and work on the Home Hardware Distribution Centre Property: Ann received a copy of a letter sent from Bob Moar to Walter Hachborn at Home Hardware regarding the new construction activity at the back of the HH property, i.e. along the mill race. Township planning staff indicate that the activity is for the construction of storm water management ponds and that no development is permitted on the back half of the property. A berm has been built along the mill race to block much of the view of the property for any trail users. Ann advised Bob Moar of the status.

7. Mill Race Trail and Winter Conditions: No one at the meeting felt the Mill Race needed to be cleared of snow. Although Eleanor noted that it is quite icy and slippery between the foot bridge and the rail overpass. Could a sand box be made available? The garbage bins at the St. Jacobs end were also noted as often being over flowing with garbage. Ann to look into both of these matters.

8. Breslau Trail: The construction of the trail as part of Phase 1 of the Thomasfield Homes development will finish this spring/summer. Still looking for a link between Thomasfield development and the planned Forewell development.

9. Presentation to Council by Trails Links Group and WTG: The Trail Links Group is a fairly new initiative which looks to foster/encourage trail links between Waterloo Region and Wellington and Dufferin Counties. The Public Health Units provide staff support to the group. Health Unit staff has offered to make presentations to municipal councils about the recent stats on obesity, low physical activity levels and the importance of providing fitness opportunities, such as trails, to the public. Ann is arranging to have a presentation made to Woolwich Council in March and Gloria has agreed to make a short presentation about the work of the WTG. All trails group members are invited to attend. Ann will advise when a meeting date is set. The C/W Optimist Club and the Elmira Lions Club have also been asked to make presentations about the trail activities of their groups. TWEEC and Clean Waterways may also make presentations that evening.

10. 2005 Project Ideas:

1- Map of Elmira (or Woolwich) showing attractions: carry over from our November meeting.

2- Improvements on HVT east of Martin’s Creek: very difficult to get stonedust into this section. Could move in some more wood chips though. Ann to contact the property owner to ask permission to stock pile wood chips behind the barns on his property. If ok, then can ask Hydro to dump chips. Stone dust will be installed on the west side of Martin’s Creek in the spring.

3- Mileage Markers: A request was made by Jeff at Runner’s Choice a few years ago for markers on the KBT. The Trailway Advisory Board would need to be contacted to ask permission. Ann will email around to see what other trail groups use for posts and markers. Eleanor will connect with Jeff at Runner’s Choice as follow-up. The group suggested placing sign posts at key intersections in the trail in St. Jacobs, for example, to indicate number of km to certain destinations.

4- Sandy Hills: Chris Gosselin from the Region, indicated that volunteer work at Sandy Hills cannot go ahead formally until an agreement is reached regarding the collective agreement with unionized staff. Chris noted that if people, as individuals, pick up litter they find along forest trails, however, that is quite commendable. The Region also appreciates it when members of the public walk the trails and advise that there are situations (downed trees, hazard trees, rubbish dumps, etc.) needing attention.

5- Ring Trail in Elmira: There are two long sections of trail to be wood chipped as part of the ring trail in the Elmira industrial lands development. The Lions Club had offered to work on this project. Ann will check with Art to see if he needs more man power from the group.

6- GVT at West Montrose: As a GVT trail steward on the West Montrose section, we’ll need a couple of people to walk and groom the trail as necessary in April and September.

7- Florica subdivision in Conestogo: Opportunity for short natural path trail in the 4 acres of green space associated with the Florica subdivision. Would like to have local residents involved.

8- Breslau Link: Investigating a link between the two new residential developments.

9- St. Jacobs: Possible trail link between the TCT/MRT and Triangle Park.

11. Hike Leader Training: There may be an opportunity to attend a hike leader training session with the GVTA on Saturday March 5. If anyone is interested, please let Ann (669-1647 x 265 or Schering@look.ca) know by February 9^th.

12. Kiosks/mapping: Gloria reported that the maps, hike schedule and photos are now ready to be mounted in the kiosks in St. Jacobs. Gloria and Ann will install the lexan plastic. Just waiting to hear back from the C/W Optimist Club about information for their kiosk.

13. January snow shoeing and skiing: The trail was covered with ice making it unsuitable for skiing or snow shoeing. However, Eleanor, Brad, Cheryl and Alex stayed for a hike.

14. March 20^th hike: Murray and John offered to lead the hike on the Mill Race Trail.

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

16. Conestogo/Wintebourne Optimist Club Report: Pete reported that the club finished stone dusting their section of the KBT in the late summer. The club is now working to finalize information for the kiosk at Priddle Park. A kiosk will be constructed this spring at the parking lot on Middlebrook Road using student labour from EDSS and funding raised by Home Hardware distribution staff for materials. The club is also planning to install a small information case at the end of their section of the KBT about the construction of the bridge in 1904. The Historical Society provided a photo and information about the construction.

Dates to remember……

Next meeting date: Wednesday February 23, 2005, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

WHC Celebration Dinner: Wednesday March 2^nd, 6 pm at the Health Centre in St. Jacobs. Invitations are in the mail. Please RSVP to Joy Finney.

Next Family Sunday Hike….

Sunday March 20^th, 2005, 2 pm: 6 km/2 hour hike on the Mill Race Trail 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 the low level bridge (between Hawkesville Road and Township Road 32). Trail Rating: easy walking stone dust trail; baby buggies and dogs on leashes are welcome.

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

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.