Chair person: Gloria Yeung

Those attending: John McEachen, Jane Prime, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, John Robinson, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung.

Guest: Jake Baleshta

1. Membership committee report: John R. provided a membership report noting that membership is lower than at the same time last year. Gloria will send a reminder letter to those who have not renewed yet this year. John will send the list of names to Gloria.

2. Draft WTG brochure: John produced a 3^rd draft brochure based on comments received at the May meeting. A few additional comments were made. John will update the brochure and send to Inga for final sign-off. Gloria will finalize printing arrangements with Jim.

5. June 19^th on GVT near Elora: Nancy and Paul will lead this hike.

9. School Hike Day:

11- Trail User Survey: Inga and Art talked about the benefits of doing a survey on the Kissing Bridge Trailway at Elmira. The group decided on surveys to be undertaken on the trail in Elmira (at Homer’s Lane) and at Northfield Drive. Pete will ask Optimist members to help with surveying. Lions club members will also be asked if they can help. Surveying will take place during the summer months. The 2001 survey was reviewed and edited to include the following: age, type of trail user, # times trail used per year, # in group, how did you learn about the trail, suggestions for improvements, one way use or 2 way use. Ann to borrow a trail counter from the Trails Links Group.

12- School hike day: To be held Monday October 3. This has been approved by the principal at St. Jacobs PS. They will use the MRT and HVT. Jake Baleshta attended the meeting and spoke about his “Kids Commotion” concept. Agreed to have Jake start out the hike day with a warm-up at the school for all students. Would like to have ribbons printed for the students with “I nailed the trail”. Nancy will connect with Pete to confirm that it is ok to use this slogan and to see if the club might like to sponsor the ribbons. Nancy will also connect with Northside Trophies to make arrangements for the ribbons. Local papers, including the Record will be invited. Bob Cassidy, superintendent of schools will also be invited to attend. We want as many members as possible to attend the hike day. Gloria will check into the cost of having WTG t-shirts (blue) printed for members. Agreed to put together a “tool kit” or info package (media reports, samples of forms, what worked well and what didn’t etc) to provide guidance to schools who might wish to be involved in a 2006 hike day.

13- Hike on-a-bus: The group 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. Ann has not been able to reach Warren but will try before the next meeting.

12. Trail User Survey for Kissing Bridge Trailway:

13. Next Meeting Date: Thursday September 8^th, 7 pm at the firehall in St. Jacobs.

Dates to remember……

Next trails meeting date: Thursday September 8^th, 2005, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

Next Family Sunday Hike….

Sunday, June 19th, 2005, 2 pm: Grand Valley Trail near Elora.

From West Montrose, take Middlebrook Road (#62) north into Pilkington Township. Continue north on Middlebrook Road to Eight Line Road and turn right. Park on the north side of the road approximately half of a kilometre west of the bridge.

Trail rating: challenging hike due to steep hills. No baby buggies or dogs please.

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.