There are NINE FREE events at NINE trail locations throughout Winnipeg!

Trails Day is a celebration of all the tremendous trails we have in Manitoba and recognizes the commitment and support of everyone involved with trail development. This year, the Winnipeg Trails Association, City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Winnipeg in motion, Rivers West and local trail groups are hosting nine trails day celebrations.

There will be many different activities on trails in virtually every neighbourhood in Winnipeg! Try guided bird watching and Nordic Walking, enter Fido in a dog show, attend a new trail opening and explore the slow lane of Rapid Transit, eat snacks, watch fireworks and more!

All events are FREE – and will occur rain or shine!

Bird Watching along Henteleff Park Trails
Bring your binoculars for a guided bird walking adventure through Henteleff Park’s riverbank trails and tall grass prairie!
8:30 am–10:00 am
Meet at Henteleff Park—1964 St. Mary’s Road—meet at the parking lot inside the park
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Henteleff Park Trails

Hike the Dike in St. Norbert
Hike the dike in St. Norbert, shop ‘opening day’ at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market enjoy treats!
9:30am–11:00 am
Meet at the St Norbert Farmers’ Market— information Booth–3514 Pembina Hwy
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: St. Norbert Heritage Trails

Nordic Walking & Family Fun on the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail
Instructors will teach you pole walking, enjoy family games, face painting and geo caching and more!
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Meet on the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail at Silver Avenue and Whytewold Avenue
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail

Bishop Grandin Greenway’s ‘Between 2 Rivers’ Festival!
Discover the St. Vital bike loop, try container gardening, T’ai Chi on the trail, drumming, and more!
11:00 am–2:00 pm
Meet on Bishop Grandin Greenway at large tents between River Rd and St. Anne’s Rd.
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Bishop Grandin Greenway Trail

Discover Your Connection to the Seine River Greenway’s Newest Trail
Grand opening Seine River South Trail— enjoy Metis fiddling, complimentary BBQ and refreshments!
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Meet east of Royalwood Bridge, at Shorehill Dr. & St. Anne’s Rd.
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Seine River Greenway Trail

Family Fun Dog Show & Adventures on the Harte Trail
Enter furry Fido in the dog show, try GPS adventures, enjoy complimentary refreshments and more!
1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Meet at Fraser Meadow Park—Municipal Rd south of Rannock Ave.
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Harte Trail

Explore the new Rapid Transit Corridor— from the slow lane!
Join Prairie Pathfinders on a 12.5 km loop walk on the new Rapid Transit Active Transportation Pathway and over the refurbished Elm Park Bridge!
1:00 pm–4:00 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED / DETAILS: Prairie Pathfinders MEETUP

Native Prairie Nature Discovery Tour on the Northeast Pioneers Greenway
Join a guided 6 km hike to discover native prairie and restorative initiatives on one of Manitoba’s most popular trails!
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Meet at East Kildonan Centennial Park on Raleigh St. north of Kimberley Ave.
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Northeast Pioneers Greenway

Transcona Trails Evening of Fitness, Fun & Fireworks
Join a guided walk, family entertainment and take in a super end of the day fireworks display hosted by the Transcona Hi Neighbours Festival!
7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Meet at Buhler Recreation Park at 135 Murdoch Road in South Transcona in parking lot.
FOR MAP & MORE DETAILS: Transcona Trails

We now have two clear active transportation (AT) commitments from both the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Progressive Conservative Party (PC).

Good news for Active Transportation in Election 2011 !
The NDP’s have made a clear promise to a piece of infrastructure and today (Sept. 28th) Premier Selinger verbally committed on camera to supporting development of AT ‘strategy’ and staffing.
The PC’s have put forward a clear PROVINCIAL AT commitment to paper / on the website and in their election platform.
Details can be found below.

ELECTION PROMISES & COMMITMENTS towards Active Transportation ‘if elected’

IN PRINT – IN ELECTION PLATFORM PLAN PROVINCIAL Commitment to Active Transportation: Cleary stated in the Progressive Conservative Heath Communities document found on the PC Manitoba website. See Page 11. Text states: A McFadyen government will adopt a provincial policy to support and encourage active transportation. A McFadyen government will establish a provincial director of active transportation. A McFadyen government will enact a policy that requires active transportation infrastructure to be considered in all future provincial road projects in Manitoba. A McFadyen government will establish an active transportation agency with a formal advisory board. September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, Heather Stefanson VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Kelvin Goertzen VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

INFRASTRUCTURE commitment for one area VERBAL Provincial commitment on camera September 28: At the Winnipeg Winnipeg Free Press Café, Janice Lukes asks Premier Selinger to commit to AT policy and staffing. See question and response 11:24 minutes into the interview with Greg Selinger: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/LIVE-Town-halls-with-Gerrard-and-Selinger-130663498.html September 21: Premier Selinger commits to a crossing over the Perimeter Highway at the Northeast Pioneers Greenway. See complete details on Erna Braun’s website. September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Gord McIntosh VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

VERBAL Provincial commitments September 30th: Clearly stated in a Bike to the Future candidates survey, Paul Hesse committed in email to ALL of the key active transportation initiatives request by the Winnipeg Trails Association Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy: Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation: Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board: Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, Paul Hesse VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Eric Stewart VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

VERBAL Provincial commitment September 30th: Clearly stated in a Bike to the Future candidates survey, James Beddome committed in email to ALL of the key active transportation initiatives request by the Winnipeg Trails Association Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy: Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation: Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board: Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, James Beddome VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

Provincial Election 2011

Manitoban’s need
FOCUSED LEADERSHIP on Active Transportation
(Active transportation refers to any form of human powered transportation.)

Is Active Transportation a key issue in the upcoming election ? ABSOLUTELY!
Study after study after study show Manitoban’s need to become more active. Physical inactivity causes increased health care costs. In Manitoba, healthcare is the TOP budget expenditure with over $5.4 billion projected for 2011 / 2012. Properly planned and built active transportation infrastructure – walking and cycling routes – enable Manitoban safe transportation opportunities.

When candidates come knocking on your door, tell them walking and cycling is important to YOU! Tell candidates YOU need:

• better trail and cycling connectivity
• safer walking and cycling routes
• FOCUSED LEADERSHIP on active transportation!

The Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike to the Future, and hundred of Manitoban’s have provided input to the provincial government to produce a report, Greater Strides: Taking Action on Active Transportation.

This report provides detailed recommendations – a blueprint – that if acted on – will have a positive impact on the lives of all Manitoban’s.

When candidates come knocking on your door, tell them the most important active transportation actions the provincial government needs to commit to are:

1. Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy:
   • A written policy on active transportation clearly state’s Manitoba’s commitment to walking and cycling.
   • The policy provides direction, guidance and sets the foundation to integrate active transportation in strategic funding decisions throughout the province.
   • See recommendations #1 & #13
   • See a couple examples of what we are facing related to large investments of public funding because we have no policy:
     • CentrePort’s Impact on Active Transportation
     • Winnipeg to Birds Hill
2. Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation:
   • There are over 3000 staff in government developing motorized vehicle transportation routes and infrastructure, but there is not one staff person solely responsible for improving walking and cycling.
     See recommendation #2
3. Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board:
   • Bringing together representatives from community organizations and provincial departments to share learning opportunities and valuable information
   • An advisory board assists in ensuring the integration of transportation planning and programs throughout the Province.
   • The City of Winnipeg has made significant progress in the development of active transportation due in large part to the guidance of its Active Transportation Advisory Committee.
     See recommendation #24
4. Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school.
   • Virtually every school division in Manitoba has a transportation planner focused on bussing children to school and yet there is not one staff person dedicated to ensuring children can safely walk or bike to school
   • Is 31% of Manitoba children are overweight or obese, higher than the national average
     See recommendation #21
5. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system.
   • Manitoba’s driver training programs do not cover educating motorists and cyclists on how to share the road, and there are no provincial bicycle training programs for children or adults.
     See recommendations #20 & #22
6. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes
   • Manitoba is 4 years into an unprecedented $4 billion roadways investment commitment that includes absolutely no dedicated funding for active transportation infrastructure.
     See recommendations #12, #14, #15 & #16

MEDIA REPORTS on lack of consideration for active transportation in $80million interchange

The Winnipeg Trails Association, in partnership with the Prairie Pathfinders, One Green City and Bike to the Future launched a “Winnipeg to Birds Hill Provincial Park’ active transportation awareness campaign the morning of July 6th, 2011. As part of this awareness campaign, activities and events will continue throughout the upcoming months at various public locations. On July 6th, Winnipeg to Birds Hill information sheets were handed out to over 250 cyclists preparing to cycle to the Folk Festival via the Northeast Pioneers Greenway (Manitoba’s most heavily used trail) OVER the Perimeter Hwy (PTH101), onto the new Red River Floodway trail system and into Birds Hill Provincial Park. The information sheet highlighted:

• the need for a SAFE active transportation connection linking Winnipeg OVER the Perimeter Hwy – to the town of Birds Hill, Birds Hill Provincial Park and the Red River Floodway trails system
• the opportunity to make a SAFE active transportation connection in the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project occurring in the next two years
• the opportunity to link together – SAFELY – the significant millions invested in Winnipeg trails – to the millions in trail development in Birds Hill Provincial Park, the new Hwy 59 cycle ped overpass and the trail system within the Red River Floodway

OPPORTUNITY:

At a recent information session hosted by MMM Group on the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project, MMM Group presented a design that missed – but holds the opportunity to include a SAFE pedestrian and cyclist over the Perimeter just 300 meters west of the interchange. The current design of this interchange completely lacks any SAFE active transportation infrastructure. In this day and age – and with such an intense Provincial and Federal focus on healthy living, it is incomprehensible that $80 M – $100M of public funds will not include an active transportation component – when just 300 meters to the west – an active transportation ped / cycle bridge will enable people to SAFELY cross OVER the north Perimeter.

Our organizations are encouraging people to contact their Provincial leaders express the desire for a SAFE active transportation connection OVER the Perimeter Hwy specifically, a separated pedestrian / cycling bridge as part of the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project. PLEASE EMAIL or PHONE one or ALL of the Provincial Representatives before October 4th.

Ask them to:

“PLEASE SAFELY connect the Northeast Pioneers Greenway OVER the Perimeter Hwy with a separate pedestrian / cyclist bridge to access Birds Hill Provincial Park and the Red River Floodway Trails System, as part of the PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project.”

Premier Greg Selinger          premier@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3714

Minster Steve Ashton           minmit@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3723

Minister Ron Lemieux        minlg@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3788

Minister Bill Blaikie           mincon@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3730

Minister Flor Marcelino    mincht@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3729

Minister Jim Rondeau       minhliv@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-1373

Erna Braun
– MLA Rossmere               erna.braun@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-7349

Bonnie Mitchelson
– MLA River East              bonnie.mitchelson@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-0008

Now that summer is here – most trail events are ones you organize yourself !

Check out over 30 detailed trail maps on this page and create your own ‘special event’ !

Pick up one of the new Winnipeg Cycling Map at a bike shop near you – check out Travel Manitoba – or view PDF’s of the map here:

Cycling Map NORTH Wpg

Cycling Map SOUTH Wpg

Happy Trails this summer !

Check out the Greater Strides document for details on the 25 recommendations that flesh out the following five objectives for AT in Manitoba:

1.Develop a provincial policy and co-ordinated approach to active transportation

2.Create a benchmark and set measurable targets to guide the development of a safe, sustainable and cohesive active transportation network

3.Build safe and connected active transportation networks

4.Explore opportunities to raise awareness and provide training and incentives to motivate Manitobans to choose safe active transportation options more often

5.Establish a platform for building a sustainable future for active transportation

The Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group was formed as a condition under the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act. This act supports Beyond Kyoto, Manitoba’s action plan on climate change. This is the first report of its kind for Manitoba. The report provides recommendations on expanding active transportation options for all Manitobans.

” It was a privilege to work with the members of this group and to have the opportunity to contribute to Manitoba’s long-term vision for active transportation. The recommendations in this report provide a blueprint to help Manitoba benefit from the economic, social and environmental opportunities related to active transportation.” said Janice Lukes, Chair of the Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group. “With a focused leadership and a meaningful commitment from the provincial government, we can experience the tremendous benefits associated with active transportation.”

J. Lukes remarks in handing off report can be read here

Through an Order in Council, and consultations with Ministers, the following people were appointed to the group:

Janice Lukes, Chair

Anders Swanson

Mark Cohoe

Terry Zdan

Pat Locken

Tim Deacon

Russell Wychreschuk

The full report Greater Strides:

Taking Action on Active Transportation can be found at:

www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf.

Readers can enjoy a good balance of cycling related media report on Bike to the Future’s website – and multi use trail related media reports on the Winnipeg Trails Association website. And – since both organizations are run by volunteers and are not for profit – posting of specific media results in efficient use of web developers time!

And if you venture just north of the corner of Glenwood Crescent and Harbison Avenue West, you’ll discover perhaps the most picturesque spot of all of Winnipeg’s parkways, Elmwood Park, part of the Kildonan Parkway. “I can’t believe no one, either media or just a person, has asked about this,” said Janice Lukes, manager of special projects with the Winnipeg Trails Association and Rivers West, Red River co-ordinator. “But no one has.”

Many people may be travelling the parkways in bits and pieces but don’t realize they all join up. On a recent sunny day, cyclists were whizzing through Elmwood Park and south along the parkway, while a couple walked two enormous dogs and some would-be explorers checked out two mysterious staircases near the river. The Kildonan Parkway, where it wends through Elmwood, might be the most pleasant of the parkways, given to leisurely meandering, snaking along tree-shaded neighbourhoods and sun-dappled parks by the river.

Janice Lukes,manager of special projects for the Winnipeg Trails Association, strolls in Elmwood Park at the end of Glenwood Crescent. (BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

The parkways all end at The Forks — or start there, depending on how you look at it. The South Winnipeg Parkway runs south of The Forks, west of the Red, and the Boni-Vital Parkway, also running south, is east of the Red. There’s the North Assiniboine Parkway and South Assiniboine Parkway, their directions self-explanatory. The North Winnipeg Parkway runs north of The Forks on the west side of the river, and the Kildonan Parkway runs north on the Red’s east side.

The parkway system was started 20 years ago by a forward-thinking city with a vision to make the most of its rivers, Lukes says. There were 18 smaller trails then, a very confusing labyrinth of paths, but officials organized them into six parkways to keep things simple.

Until trailheads and route maps are placed on the parkways — planned for this fall, along with signs indicating points of interest, a very pleased Lukes reports — bikers, hikers and dog-walkers need to be a little creative to find the parkways in many spots. They are signed, but signs are small and placement is a bit sketchy.

It’s worth seeking the signs because, really, a whole other world within Winnipeg opens up once you set foot or wheel on a parkway.

By Julie Carl, julie.carl@freepress.mb.ca
Winnipeg Free Press, June 28 2011

On behalf of each of the 6 trail groups / organizations hosting events, a huge thank you to local community sponsors, supporters and Volunteers:

Bishop Grandin Greenway “Between 2 Rivers Trails Day
Boston Pizza, Starbucks, Chapter’s and St.Vital Mall,
St.Anne’s Sobey’s, Youville,
Winnipeg In Motion, Home Depot, Arbo Gardens
CBC Live Right Now, Lionel the Boston Pizza Mascot

Bois des Esprit -”Discover the Meandering Trails of the Seine River Greenway”
Save Our Seine, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Trails Association,
Casera Credit Union, Les Gens de Bois carvers, Murray Watson,
Union Nationale MétisseSaint-Joseph du Manitoba, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre,
World of Water

“Discover the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail”
Living Prairie Museum, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, in motion

“Discover the Trails of Transcona”
Transcona Trails Inc., Transcona Historical Museum, Transcona Hi Neighbour Festival, City of Winnipeg

“Harte Trail’s Paw Trek and Dog Show”
City of Winnipeg Naturalists, P.A.W.S. Friends of Assiniboine Forest, Winnipeg in motion

“4 km Cycle Tour – FortWhyte Alive to Crampton’s Market”
Crampton’s Market, FortWhyte Alive, Pro Care Athletic Therapy, tons of local food producers

“It’s the best thing that’s happened to this part of St. James,” said St. James resident Connie Newman, who has closely followed the trail’s construction and can be found along it three to four times a week.

The 5.5-kilometre trail begins at Hamilton Avenue and Silver Avenue near Sturgeon Creek and snakes its way through city-owned property, including forested parts of Murray Industrial Park and the Living Prairie Museum, a strip near the airport and the Assiniboine Golf Course to Ferry Road. Plans call for it to eventually reach Polo Park Shopping Centre.

As part of Trails Day activities, a series of events will take place along the Yellow Ribbon trail include a scavenger hunt, bike decorating and guided hikes of the Living Prairie Museum.Because it’s tucked away from traffic, it’s a gem full of views and community still waiting to be discovered by many in St. James, Newman said.

“Between bikes and scooters and dogs, all ages of people, it’s awesome,” she said. “It’s really a community kind of gathering, people talk to each other.Janice Lukes, manager of special projects for Winnipeg Trails Association, said the event is an opportunity to showcase the city’s growing trail network.

“People are antsy to get out. The snow melted, the grass is green, the weeds haven’t taken over yet,” she said. “It’s an ideal time to get out and explore and learn where these trails are.”Lukes said she spent three hours on the Yellow Ribbon Greenway with her children on a recent Sunday morning, and found it full of wildlife, playgrounds, the aviation museum and a must-see view of planes landing at the airport.

“We’re standing there and standing under these plane bellies coming in right after another. It was a real eye-opener for my kids,” she said. Other Trail Day events will include Harte Trail’s Paw Trek and Dog Show, which starts at Oakdale Street and Ridgewood Avenue in Charleswood.

The event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. and will include a dog show, bike decorating, and geo-caching.”It’s a very good opportunity for the whole community, we’re doing things for every age level,” said Lois Caron, president of the Friends of the Harte Trail.”It’s a chance to get out and discover the trail, and gain more knowledge about the trail.”

For more information and downloadable maps, visit www.winnipegtrails.com.

By matt.preprost@canstarnews.com (The Metro, June 1, 2011)