Slide 1

EXPERIENTIAL WATER ROUTE Developing a Unique Ontario Cultural Tourism Product in the Heart of the Continent Slide 2 PATH OF THE PADDLE TRANS CANADA TRAIL (TCT) National & Ontario board sanctioned initiative connecting northern Ontario land-based trails to Manitoba recreational trails 900+km proposed canoe/kayak route in the Heart of the Continent Aptly named after Canadian canoeing icon Bill Mason Slide 3 PROJECT BACKGROUND 2003 - Water route concept proposed 2007 - TCT National approved canoeing/kayaking preferred use 2008 - Planning exercise with MNR & Ontario Parks 2008 MOU signed: MNR, MHP & TCTO Slide 4 PROJECT BACKGROUND 2009 - Hap Wilson recruited to assist with project development 2010 - RTO13 funding approved to conduct first season of route planning & ground- truthing 2011 - 5 water trail concept plans completed Slide 5 WATER TRAIL HISTORY Water routes were the first trail in Canada referred to as Onigum Ojibwa & Cree descendant used this water route for almost 10,000 years Used for early trade & barter between Nations and for seasonal hunting and fishing forays Slide 6 WATER TRAIL HISTORY Archaeological surveys along the selected route include over 200 pictograph sites, dolmen stones and waymarkers, tooling site & pottery shards The Pigeon River link was used by the North West Company as a point of rendezvous and inland trade Slide 7 PATH OF THE PADDLE The creation of an all- Canadian, representative canoe route trail in terms of National Heritage values Recognizes a rich & exciting part of our history and acknowledges People of the First Nations & Canadas historic use of the canoe Slide 8 WATER TRAIL SEGMENTS Anishnabe Trail 107 kms: Falcon River through Shoal Lake FN #40 to Kenora Rushing River-Eagle Dogtooth 256 kms: Kenora through 2 Provincial Parks to Dryden Maukinak Trail 212 kms: Dryden through Turtle River Provincial Park to Atikokan (White Otter Castle) Slide 9 WATER TRAIL SEGMENTS Quetico Trail 208 kms: Atikokan through Quetico Provincial Park to Granite River Omimi Trail 129 kms: Granite River through La Verendrye & Pigeon River Provincial Parks to Neebing Slide 10 FIELD RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Determine the Best-Fit routes, divided into management units Cultural, natural resource & historical trail initiatives gathered Site planning & preparation Digitally mapped & ground- truthed as a risk management tool Slide 11 FIELD RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Risk assessment of the water route: skill level required on trail & portages Identification of route development projects locations: access points, camp sites, portages, wayfinding & trail head signage Estimate cost to develop each trail segment Slide 12 FIELD RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Initial identification of partners to form sub-clubs for trail stewardship & portage maintenance Materials gathered for draft guidebook which will serve as TCTOs risk management plan Slide 13 DEVELOPMENT STATUS 2011 - Season One field research: 3 of 5 trail segments completed 2012 Path of the Paddle Project Manager recruited 2012 Funding to be secured for Season Two field research $40,000 and completion of draft guidebook & art and digital mapping $47,400 Slide 14 DEVELOPMENT STATUS 2012 Independent trail segment funding for infrastructure build to be secured (ie: Quetico Park) 2013 Path of the Paddle not-for-profit club formed 2013 Additional trail segment infrastructure builds 2013 Printing of guidebook as risk management plan Slide 15 DEVELOPMENT STATUS 2013 Completion of wayfinding & trail head signage program 2013 build and create the support structure, businesses that support trail users 2014 Initiate water trail marketing and promotional campaigns with partners Slide 16 PROJECT BENEFITS Community diversification Job creation Volunteer driven First Nation inclusion Business opportunities Themed development Education Events & festivals Health promotion Slide 17 PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES Develop a world-class marketable experiential tourism destination Natural links to RTO13, OTMPC and Northern Growth Plan objectives Unique marketing integration including: passport achievement program and mobile application Slide 18 PROJECT SUMMARY Review & renew MoU signed: MNR, MHP & TCTO to include MNDM Provincial designation & route recognition Funding $87,400 to complete risk management plan Slide 19 THANK YOU Path of the Paddle Steering Committee Members: CAM CLARK Past Chair and Board Member of TCTO KIRSTEN SPENCE TCTO Northern Trails Coordinator VICKI KURZ Path of the Paddle Project Manager