Trails don’t just exist on the landscape, they are built and cared for by people who believe in their power to connect communities, support wellbeing, and protect the places we love. This National Volunteer Week, Discovery Routes is celebrating the Trail Champions whose efforts shape the Near North’s trail network.
At a time when more people than ever are turning to the outdoors, the contribution of volunteers has never been more important. These six new Trail Champions are only a few of a network of volunteers who are ensuring that trails remain welcoming and sustainable for generations to come.
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The cold doesn’t slow down James Condie, often out grooming fat bike trails on the Laurentian Escarpment before most have had their morning coffee. For more than 40 years, Linda McKenzie has championed the idea that everyone is “outdoorable,” working to make nature accessible to all volunteering with the Forgotten Trails and at Mikisew Provincial Park.
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Driven by wanderlust, Andrée Morneault and Daniel Kaminski have created an accessible winter trail network at the Cranberry Snowshoe Trails in Callander. In North Bay, Brent Bull’s craftsmanship is reflected in the wooden bridges and structures that he and his crew build to add challenge and variety to the mountain bike experience. And for Kara Mitchell, sustainability is at the core of her leadership as long-time Chair of the Forgotten Trails Association.
Discovery Routes’ Trail Champions Program recognizes and celebrates the volunteers who are making a meaningful difference. By sharing their stories, the program aims to inspire others to get involved and become part of the region’s growing trail community.
Read the stories of the Trail Champions who make it all possible, and learn more about Discovery Routes and how to Get Involved.