Chair person: Gloria Yeung

Those attending: Loretta Dunn, Eleanor Hrabi, Jane Prime, John McEachen, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, John and Bev Robinson, Pete Scheuring, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung.

Membership committee report: John R. reported 94 members for 2004. Memberships received from now on will be recorded for 2005. 2004 membership renewal generated $1840. 5^th edition guidebooks have been mailed to lifetime members. John will mail crests to those submitting completed volunteer logs.

Annual report and next mailing: A membership package, including annual report, hike schedule and renewal notice will be sent out in late Nov. or early Dec. Loretta volunteered to provide comments on the annual report format.

Guidebooks: 1-Re-distribution: On July 29^th Eleanor sent a letter to all locations regarding re-distribution. From June 1 until Sept 2 approx. 120 copies of the 4^th edition were re-distributed. 2- Deliveries of 5^th edition: Eleanor visited all 22 locations and delivered 408 guidebooks. The Region of Waterloo Cartography Department is now a distributor. 3- Revenue: Between June 1 and present, Eleanor took $811 to Don Harloff.

New ideas: 1- Poster: John R. suggested the idea of producing a poster of the trails map. Others suggested adding photos of some Woolwich trails. John Mc. offered to get pricing from Manulife to print 100 posters. Eleanor will inquire with some of her distributors to get their thoughts on selling trail posters. Loretta suggested using it as an educational/promotional tool to sell guidebooks and to get folks out on the trails. To be further discussed at the next meeting. 2- Calendar: Inga suggested the possibility of having a photo contest and then producing a calendar for 2006. We could include contest info in the membership mailing. To be further discussed at the next meeting.

Kiosks/mapping: There has been a delay getting the kiosk maps finalized due to an illness with Gloria’s contact at the Region. Will hope to have maps in the Mill Race kiosks yet this fall. Gloria has a bit more work to do for the Priddle Park map. Gloria has all other info pieces laminated and ready for the kiosks.

Trail travels: Eleanor talked about her two hiking tours in Britain. Lots of great photos with some neat ideas re gates and stiles.

September and October hike reports: Joy and Inga led the September hike. About 14 folks attended. Inga brought her friend Judy who is a master gardener. Judy identified many plants along the trail. Paul was the leader of the October hike. However, due to very wet weather conditions the hike was cancelled.

November 21^st hike: Ann is leading the hike on the GVTA towards Elora.

Fall Work Party: Mark would like to repair the bridge over Martin’s Creek. Will plan a work party once the corn is harvested (likely late Oct or Nov) making access easier. Merle, Clint, Paul, Jim, Nancy and John R. are interested in helping.

Region of Waterloo Growth Management Strategy: The strategy provides direction for the management of growth within the region for the next 40 years. The next step is implementation of the strategy. Chris Gosselin from the region is hosting a public meeting to discuss the Greenlands strategy (one of the major components of the Growth Management Strategy) and to receive any comments from the public. All are invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 7 to 9 pm at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Kitchener (corner of Weber and Church Streets). The Growth Management Strategy Implementation report is available at www.region.waterloo.on.ca under the October 5^th, 2004 council minutes (click on government/agendas/Oct5) More information about the Waterloo Region Healthy Communities Coalition and its opinions on the RGMS, is available at www.waterlooregion.org/healthy/coaltion/regionalgrowth.html

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

Conestogo/Winterbourne Optimist Club report: Pete reported that the club is hosting a trail opening event to celebrate the completion of their section of the Kissing Bridge Trailway/TCT. All are invited to attend on Sat. Oct 23^rd, noon until 3. Ride or walk the new section of trail and you could win some great prizes!

Club members have also installed the TCT Discovery signs along the KBT/TCT.

2005 Hike Schedule: It’s time to get the 2005 hike schedule together! Suggestions made for 2005 hikes include: Waterloo’s west side trail, the Avon trail near Benjamin Road, Schneiders woods, Sandy Hills for skiing/snowshoeing, Lions Ring trail in Elmira, Thomasfield trail. Ann will email members for hike suggestions and to see if anyone is interested in leading. A draft schedule will be available at the next meeting for comment and review.

Breslau: Ann met with the planners involved in the Thomasfield development. There are plans to construct the phase 1 section of trail before winter. Still exploring opportunities for a trail link between the Thomasfield development and Forwell development.

Christmas gathering: Gloria has graciously offered to host the Christmas party at her home. Saturday December 4 was decided for a pot luck dinner. More details will be provided closer to the date.

Dates to remember……

Next meeting date: Wednesday November 17, 2004, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs.

Christmas Potluck: Sat. Dec. 4^th at the home of Gloria Yeung. More details to follow.

Next Family Sunday Hike….

November 21^st, 2004, 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, about a half of a km west of the bridge.

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

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.