Laurentian Escarpment Trails Project
Vision of Project
The Laurentian Escarpment trails have a long history of local use by hikers, mountain bikers, downhill skiers, snowshoers and more recently, fat bikers. The goal of the Laurentian Escarpment Trails Project is to preserve and protect a four-season network of sanctioned multi-use trails across the Laurentian Escarpment for now and future generations. Through partnership and active participation between local non-profits, private landowners and public agencies, we will create an asset not only for the community, but one that supports the local economy by attracting provincial and national events and celebrates North Bay’s legacy through its 100th anniversary.
Description of Project
The project aims to secure public access to the primary network of existing trails across the Laurentian Escarpment including those currently on private property and Department of National Defense lands east of the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area. The project is being led by a committee made up of representatives from Discovery Routes, North Bay Mountain Bike Association and community volunteers with support and participation from the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, City of North Bay, Department of National Defense and private landowners.
Why Now?
Many local trail users are not aware that most of the trails east of the Conservation Area exist on private or public lands where permission to be on these trails is not granted. These trails put landowners and trail users at risk and could be lost to the public if they are not secured through long-term land use agreements, deliberately planned, designed and managed.
The Project
The project will involve trail network improvements considering environmental integrity, access points, signage, and mapping. The resulting, fully-sanctioned trail system will be marketed as a community asset to draw visitors from across Ontario through tourism and trail events. The project will be guided by public collaboration, ensuring an asset that meets the needs of all user groups, in all four seasons and will stand out as a feature in the heart of North Bay.
Using input from various user groups, businesses, not-for-profits, and landowners, we hope to upgrade and improve the existing trail network to create a final product that is beneficial to everyone.
Project outcomes will include:
- Securing practical and legal access points with landowners
- Trail Tourism Readiness Assessment
- Improving and altering degraded trails
- Improving navigation with trail improvements
- Increased signage to indicate key locations, exits, and preferred routes optimized for specific user groups
- Creation of final Trails Master Plan that will provide a framework for the continued management of these trails into the future
- Hosting a trail event in 2025 celebrating the City of North Bay’s 100th anniversary
Project Map and Scope
Process
- Secure land use agreements with landowners
- Implement Public Engagement Strategy
- Apply public input to Laurentian Escarpment Trails Master Plan where applicable
- Develop and implement Signage Plan
- Trail Alterations/Improvements including
- Building access trails, altering degraded trails, improving trail connectivity
- Promotion and marketing of trails in collaboration with community partners
- Promotion and hosting of trail event
- Implementation of long term strategy with community trail partners for ongoing management of trail network
Public Consultation
We need your input. Throughout November and December 2024, a trail user survey will be open as a first step in our community engagement strategy. Fill in the Survey Here: Trail User Survey
A public meeting will be held early in the new year to share results of the survey and updates on progress.
To be added to the mailing list to receive project updates, please send an email to projects@discoveryroutes.ca with “Mailing List” in subject line.
For More Information
Project Contact:
Mike Ward, Trail Project Coordinator
projects@discoveryroutes.ca
