SERVICES

REPRESENTATION TO ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL (OTC)

Hike Ontario represents the interests of Hikers and Walkers at the Ontario Trails Council (OTC) through a nominated representative to the OTC Board of Directors.

Established in 1988, the OTC is the province's collective voluntary sector trail association and represents over 80 organizations comprised of 500,000 trail users, managers, trail builders and volunteers. The OTC started as a coalition of trail user groups, such as hikers, cyclists, snowmobiliers, equestrians, etc. with a shared interest in trails and the conservation of abandoned rail lines for use as trails. Membership has broadened to include other similar trail organizations and others with similar interests and values.

The objectives of the Ontario Trails Council are different from the mission of Hike Ontario , which is to promote the benefits of hiking and walking to unassociated hikers and walkers and the general public. Hike Ontario 's members are dedicated to providing places to hike and walk, primarily for health benefits and enjoyment of nature. Multi-use and shared-use trails are not particularly attractive to those who wish to take a quiet walk in nature. Shared use trails with different user types travelling at different speeds carry an inherent safety concern and favour the non-passive users.

Hike Ontario values and respects the role that OTC plays as an umbrella organization for trail associations of all types. Hike Ontario additionally values our presence at the OTC, as it is essential that the views of pedestrian trail users be adequately represented.