Woolwich Healthy Communities - Working Groups

Minutes from recent meetings

Woolwich Trails Group
Meeting Minutes
Thursday February 19^th, 2004

Chair Gloria Yeung

Those attending: Jim Bauman, Mark Bauman, Murray Beacom, Eleanor Hrabi, Jane Prime, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, John Robinson, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung

1. Membership Committee Report:

Decision made to send out membership forms (about 3500) with water bills in April/May. There are approximately 1000 forms on hand. Labels with John R's contact info will be put on the existing forms. Gloria will connect with Jim re printing more. Ann to confirm use of legal size paper and the folding machine. John R. suggested having the date printed on the membership forms. Ann to connect with John M. about sending out press releases around the time of the mailing. John R. presented a report on membership. There are 53 members to date for 2004. There were 93 members (including lifetime members) in 2003. Note that this is a slight correction from that reported at last meeting.

2. Guidebooks:

The addendum was mailed to all active members and inserted into the new guidebooks. Ann will have the addendum added to the websites. Eleanor provided a report on guidebook distribution. Eleanor has delivered 130 guidebooks with the new addendum. She has about 100 more copies and John R. has about 50. The group discussed timing for a 2005 edition. The group decided to try and make if through the summer with the remaining guidebooks and look to producing the 2005 edition over the winter. The Elmira Re-Max is now selling guidebooks. Now that the Elmira Stone Crock is closed, Eleanor will try to see the folks at the Mercantile gift shop at the Crossroads restaurant. Eleanor has dropped off hike schedules, bookmarks and membership forms with John's new address to all locations as well as the Elmira Welcome Wagon. Eleanor has delivered $480 to Don Harloff since Jan 27th.

3. Treasurer's Report:

Don Harloff prepared a 2003 financial statement for the group. The report is divided into a general account and a membership account. The group is in the black once again in 2004. Don has suggested that the group may want to consider a term deposit for the money if the money is not required in the upcoming year.

4. January Hike Report:

The January hike was at the Sandy Hills Pinery Trail. Brad and Jim had about 9 people come out to ski. The Independent and the Observer were both there. The Independent ran a photo in their paper the following week.

5. March Hike:

Next hike is on March 21st on the Mill Race and Health Valley Trail. Nancy will lead this hike. Nancy and her students plan to have the sandwich board finished for the March hike. Ann to send a waiver form to Nancy before the hike. Nancy will carry her first aid kit on the hike. Nancy will take photos of hikers around the sandwich board at the start of the hike.

6. Environmental Enhancement Committee Update:

The new committee is now formed and approved by Council. The first meeting is on Feb 26th. The committee is a partnership between the Township and Woolwich Healthy Communities. The committee will establish and coordinate a program to improve the environment in the Township. The Committee consists of 11 members: 4 from Woolwich Healthy Communities (Barb Taylor, Inga Rinne, Janet Cox, Steve Racey) 1 council member (Pat McLean), 1 Township staff person (combination of Nancy Thompson, Dave Gosnay and Ann Roberts) and the remainder from Woolwich residents (Susan Bryant, Al Murray, Art Woods, Dennis Martin, Graham Gladwell. The trails group is invited to help with work parties and to submit ideas for projects in the Township.

7. Kiosks for the Mill Race and Priddle Park:

The Conestogo/Wintebourne Optimist Club has money to pay for the materials for a kiosk at Priddle Park. The group agreed at the last meeting to make this a spring project. Kiosks at both ends of the Mill Race will be constructed in conjunction with the Priddle park kiosk. Gloria has offered to produce the mapping for the kiosk. She will investigate the fading of the map on the Health Valley Trail before she begins the map.

8. Work Parties:

January 24th work party: Thanks to Mark, Nancy and Nancy's husband the bridge over Martin's Creek is now repaired.
Saturday April 24th: The group will work on kiosk construction for Priddle Park and the Mill Race. Ann will contact Ed Dennis of the Grand Valley Trail to confirm a section on which section the group can begin maintenance. May 29th Watershed Clean-up Day: 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. Mark and Ann will be organizing this event. More information will follow when available.

9. Memorial Forest:

Mark will contact some folks in St. Jacobs to see about interest in being involved in a memorial forest along the Health Valley Trail near the volunteer rock.

10. Endowment Fund:

Inga would like to pursue establishing a permanent endowment fund for the trails group so that grants would be available for special trail projects. Grants are made available from the earnings generated on original donations. Inga will look for persons or businesses to donate money for the fund. Inga will pursue and report at the next meeting.

11. Privacy Act:

John M. was not available to comment on how the privacy act might impact the Trails group.

12. Planned trail developments:

Breslau: Two new residential developments (Hopewell Creek and Forwell Creek) are planned for Breslau for a total of approximately 800 new homes. Both developments include plans for trails to be constructed by the developer. Phase one of the Hopewell Creek development began in the fall of 2003. Trail construction will begin in 2004. The trail is planned along the south east perimeter of the development. The Forwell Creek development will begin in 2005. The trail will be constructed in a green space between the river and the edge of development. There will be access from the existing park to the trail. Ann will investigate a link between the Forwell and Hopewell developments.
Conestogo: A 21 unit residential development (Florica) is planned on the north side of Sawmill Road just east of Priddle Park. There will be a green space area where an informal locally used trail already exists. A formal trail system is not part of the development plan. However, the existing trail may be enhanced/improved (with wood chips, for example) if the need or desire from the residents or community arises.
Elmira Ring Trail: Land was dedicated to the Township as part of the Elmira Industrial Lands development. The Elmira Lions club and the Township are working on plans and have applied for funding to develop trail through this piece of land. The trail would then connect north of Southfield Drive along a service road on Township property to Oriole. The trail would then continue from Oriole to Howard Ave on another piece of Township land.

13. First Aid Course:

Jenny Richter, an instructor at Elmira pool, will be running a first aid course on Saturdays March 20 and 27th, 8 am to 4 pm. Participants must attend both sessions to complete the course. The Trails Group and the Clean Waterways Group will pay for the cost of the course. Participants are required to purchase a first aid manual for $8. There is still space in the course for a few more people. Please contact Ann if you wish to take the course.

14. Upcoming events:

Leadership Skills Workshop: The Woolwich Community Health Centre invites its volunteers and community members to take part in a Leadership skills workshop on Saturday, March 6, 9am to 3 pm at the Health Centre. Topics focus on recognizing strengths and different leadership styles, leadership qualities and skills, such as conflict resolution and problem solving. There is no cost for the workshop and lunch is included. Barb Dyzuk will lead the session. To register call Heidi at 664-3794 x 237 or Joy at x230 by February 27th.

15. Woolwich Healthy Communities Annual Celebration:

The WHC coordinating committee is hosting their annual celebration on March 24th. The event will be similar to last year with members of the Trails Group, Clean Waterways Group and the Coordinating Committee coming together for an evening of celebration at the Health Centre. The meal will be provided by the Coordinating Committee. Watch for your invitation to arrive soon. Please RSVP to Joy at the health centre, 664-3534 x 230.

Next Trails Meeting: Wednesday March 31, 2004, 7 pm at the fire hall in St. Jacobs

WHC Annual Celebration: Wednesday March 24th 2004, 6 pm, Woolwich Community Health Centre, St. Jacobs.

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

Woolwich Healthy Communities
P.O. Box 370
10 Parkside Drive
St. Jacobs, Ontario
NOB 2NO
Tel: (519) 664-3794
Fax: (519) 664-2182