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Trails have been a defining feature of the Niagara Peninsula landscape since time immemorial. National trends overwhelmingly indicate a growing demand for trails. Trails are one of the most important ways the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) connects the community to natural and cultural heritage- providing opportunities for recreation, active transportation, healthy living, education and nature appreciation.
The NPCA Trail Strategy Project will be a multi-phase project to gather inventory for existing trails on NPCA properties, create trail standards, implement best practices of safe, sustainable trail infrastructure and amenity design, as well as construction and management that will promote responsible use and appreciation of the natural environment.
The first phase of the project will help the NPCA provide accurate mapping, trail standards, signage and trail markers for trail users and operational needs. This will open the door for larger strategic objectives of integrated trail networks in the NPCA’s watershed jurisdiction. The project will be connected to the objectives of the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan, as it will improve existing trail infrastructure and visitor experience, while providing integration into the management and maintenance of trails for long-term capital planning. The NPCA recently included Green Infrastructure (with the addition of trails) as part of NPCA’s Asset Management.
The long-term outcomes of this project will ensure an ongoing feedback loop of trail inventory, monitoring and management/maintenance that will:
Improve visitor experience and wayfinding
Reduce risk of injury on NPCA trails
Prioritize trail improvements/construction (High, medium, low) to set budgets accordingly
Reduce environmental degradation of sensitive ecosystems on NPCA properties
Provide opportunities for grants or external funding for trail improvements and donations from the public
Improve responsible use of NPCA trails and conservation areas
Increase the potential for volunteer trail stewardship or an ambassador program
A new internal working group (NPCA Trails Working Group) will be formed to guide the phased implementation of the NPCA Trails Strategy and to ensure that trail-related activities are coordinated within NPCA. The NPCA Trails Working Group includes the following staff based on the initial meeting with the Extended Management Team (may be expanded after this survey is completed):
Alicia Powell, Manager - Conservation Area Services
Brian Lee, GIS Administrator
Kerry Royer, Coordinator - Community Outreach
Trails have been a defining feature of the Niagara Peninsula landscape since time immemorial. National trends overwhelmingly indicate a growing demand for trails. Trails are one of the most important ways the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) connects the community to natural and cultural heritage- providing opportunities for recreation, active transportation, healthy living, education and nature appreciation.
The NPCA Trail Strategy Project will be a multi-phase project to gather inventory for existing trails on NPCA properties, create trail standards, implement best practices of safe, sustainable trail infrastructure and amenity design, as well as construction and management that will promote responsible use and appreciation of the natural environment.
The first phase of the project will help the NPCA provide accurate mapping, trail standards, signage and trail markers for trail users and operational needs. This will open the door for larger strategic objectives of integrated trail networks in the NPCA’s watershed jurisdiction. The project will be connected to the objectives of the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan, as it will improve existing trail infrastructure and visitor experience, while providing integration into the management and maintenance of trails for long-term capital planning. The NPCA recently included Green Infrastructure (with the addition of trails) as part of NPCA’s Asset Management.
The long-term outcomes of this project will ensure an ongoing feedback loop of trail inventory, monitoring and management/maintenance that will:
Improve visitor experience and wayfinding
Reduce risk of injury on NPCA trails
Prioritize trail improvements/construction (High, medium, low) to set budgets accordingly
Reduce environmental degradation of sensitive ecosystems on NPCA properties
Provide opportunities for grants or external funding for trail improvements and donations from the public
Improve responsible use of NPCA trails and conservation areas
Increase the potential for volunteer trail stewardship or an ambassador program
A new internal working group (NPCA Trails Working Group) will be formed to guide the phased implementation of the NPCA Trails Strategy and to ensure that trail-related activities are coordinated within NPCA. The NPCA Trails Working Group includes the following staff based on the initial meeting with the Extended Management Team (may be expanded after this survey is completed):
Alicia Powell, Manager - Conservation Area Services
