Recreational Trails are a Defining National Characteristic of Canada — NTC Study Finds

CC | March 3, 2011

The National Trails Coalition (NTC) is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive “Canadian Trails Study” that has identified more than 269,000 kilometres of managed trails throughout Canada. This study provides an overview of managed trails in Canada and an analysis of the most important developments during the past decade for Canadian trails.

This study also documents the current trail inventory across Canada and looks at existing management practices for trail development and maintenance. It also reviews the differences between single use and shared use trails as well as urban and rural trails. Many of these trails are single use such as snowmobiling, hiking, cross country skiing, cycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATVing or off-road motorcycling. The research has also determined that there are currently more than 35,000 kilometres of managed trails in Canada that are shared use trails.

“The overall purpose of this study was to publish accurate information that is currently not available to the public,” stated Terry Norman, National Coordinator for the NTC. Norman added that, “The primary objective of this study was to gather data about existing Canadian trails and their uses in order to understand the big picture. This type of research and analysis had not been done before.”

The NTC vision and that of its member’s provincial associations, federations, clubs and community trail groups is one of a comprehensive national trail network developed through partnerships with all stakeholders. As demand for additional managed trails in Canada is increasing it will be even more important, in future years, to share the scarce land we have available for recreation resources and maximize the benefit for all Canadians. This study is a first step in examining the current trail inventory across Canada and the management practices for trail development and maintenance.

During a nine-month period in 2009-2010, through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP), over $23.2 million of federal government funding was distributed by NTC to infrastructure investments in 474 recreational trail projects across Canada. Funding partners provided another $33.3 million. The total investment in these projects amounted to $56.5 million.

The NTC was founded in 2007 based on a common belief that cooperative approaches and support at the national level would facilitate trail building and refurbishment activities; be beneficial to the long term sustainability of all forms of trail-based activities; stimulate economic activity and development in communities; and contribute to healthy living and individual well-being across the country. The NTC through its member organizations represents millions of Canadian citizens who enjoy and participate in outdoor activities on managed trails.

The National Trails Coalition includes the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council and the Canadian Trails Federation. Membership in these national level organizations is drawn from provincial and territorial organizations or from the private sector through the contributions of manufacturers and distributors of trail-related vehicles, products and services. Virtually all forms of trail-based activity are represented under the Coalition banner.

To learn more about the National Trails Coalition and to access a copy of the Canadian Trails Study, visit the www.ntc-canada.ca website.