Today there are over 1000 km of trails in Today there are over 1000 km of trails in Simcoe County of which 77 are named Simcoe County of which 77 are named (Georgian Trail, North Simcoe Rail Trail, Tiny (Georgian Trail, North Simcoe Rail Trail, Tiny Trails, Midland Rotary Trails, etc.)Trails, Midland Rotary Trails, etc.)

The 4 MilestonesThe 4 Milestones

#1 CN/CP abandoning their rail lines. In 1940, #1 CN/CP abandoning their rail lines. In 1940, over 500 km of rail lines criss-crossed over 500 km of rail lines criss-crossed Simcoe County. By 1990, less than 400 km Simcoe County. By 1990, less than 400 km remained. By 2010,, only 200-250 km will remained. By 2010,, only 200-250 km will remain. This has freed over 250 km of remain. This has freed over 250 km of abandoned lines for trails. Many of these abandoned lines for trails. Many of these abandoned lines run through 27,000 acres abandoned lines run through 27,000 acres of County forest making for a natural of County forest making for a natural amenityamenity..

##2 In 1978, Tiny Township purchased 22.5 km 2 In 1978, Tiny Township purchased 22.5 km of abandoned rail line from CN for $10,000 of abandoned rail line from CN for $10,000 to create a “linear park”, or Tiny’s Trails, to create a “linear park”, or Tiny’s Trails, for use by walkers, skiers, snowmobilers for use by walkers, skiers, snowmobilers and horseback riders.and horseback riders.

#3 In 1990, the Province awarded the Town of #3 In 1990, the Province awarded the Town of Collingwood the very first Wintario grant Collingwood the very first Wintario grant of $110,000 to create a trail – The Georgian of $110,000 to create a trail – The Georgian TrailsTrails

#4 In 1992, Huronia Trails and Greenways was #4 In 1992, Huronia Trails and Greenways was founded.founded.

Trails Issues Then…Trails Issues Then…

Selling your municipal council and the Selling your municipal council and the economic and social benefits of trails.economic and social benefits of trails.

Dealing with CN & CP when they abandon a Dealing with CN & CP when they abandon a rail linerail line

Dealing with adjacent landownersDealing with adjacent landowners Construction, surfacing, uses, signage, Construction, surfacing, uses, signage,

maintenance, management and operationmaintenance, management and operation Funding $Funding $

Trails Issues Now…Trails Issues Now…

ConnectivityConnectivity UsesUses Looped TrailsLooped Trails Municipal Parks & Recreation/Planning Municipal Parks & Recreation/Planning

Department RelationshipsDepartment Relationships Establishment of Municipal Trails Advisory Establishment of Municipal Trails Advisory

CommitteesCommittees