FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Parry Sound Snowmobile District Forms new Organization to pursue
Shared Trail Use

Parry Sound ON, November 27, 2003 : At present an ever increasing demand on recreation trails in the Parry Sound District has more and more people wanting access to trails for many, and varied uses, including ATV, horseback, mountain biking just to name a few. Unfortunately trail development for activities such as those mentioned has not kept pace with user demand, and with few opportunities of their own, some users have been unable to resist the temptation to access OFSC trails illegally. To that end Parry Sound Snowmobile District (PSSD) member clubs have identified unauthorized use of OFSC trails by other recreationalists as one of the biggest challenges currently facing organized snowmobiling. It is important that other trail users have places where they know that they can ride, and that the landowners offering up their land for those uses are properly covered with appropriate liability insurance.

In an effort to resolve these concerns the PSSD board has given its executive the direction to form a new not-for-profit organization for the purpose of strategically supporting the development of shared use trails within the region. Operating under the corporate name of Trails Four Seasons, this organization will support and or conduct the marketing, administration, development, and maintenance of shared use trails. Trails Four Seasons will also establish revenue and expense sharing programs for locally organized not-for-profit user groups, but specifically an Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle (OFATV) member club. While the initial focus of this initiative is to work in conjunction with a local OFATV club, other not-for-profit trail user groups are encouraged to organize and participate as well.

As not-for-profit members, our structures ensure that revenues received through user pay fees, marketing, fundraising, event coordination, as well as corporate and community support and partnerships will be reinvested into the product, “TRAILS” and its future sustainability. Trails Four Seasons believes that the proper development of a sustainable shared-use trail network will effectively deliver a significant four-season economic benefit to all communities which trail is routed through.

Trails Four Seasons is pleased with the recent formation of ONTRAIL Support Network and shares the believe that a provincial shared-use pass program for other trail users will form the foundation of a sound sustainability strategy to complement the user pay system already operated by the OFSC for organized snowmobiling.

Land-owners who continue to support organized snowmobiling should recognize that this initiative will be a mechanism for them to clearly state their intent for the use of their land. Trails Four Seasons anticipates being able to unveil a package for landowners who are considering endorsing other trail users groups, which would include adequate trail liability insurance, and enforcement programs that will allow other user groups to act as responsible as organized snowmobiling.

Presently, Trails Four Seasons is establishing participation with local ATV interests for their role with this community based initiative, and invites other user groups to enquire as well.

During the next month Trails Four Seasons will be conducting an ATV summit in the effort to further explain our mandate and to identify both the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.