Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team Minutes –August 28, 2019 – Page 1

DUFFERIN COUNTY FOREST ADVISORY TEAM MINUTES Wednesday, August 28, 2019 – 6:00 p.m. 55 Zina Street, Orangeville – Sutton Room (2nd Floor)

The Committee met at 55 Zina Street, Orangeville at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Tanya Boniakowski (Public Member) Andy Kennedy (Public Member) Lisa Needham (Public Member) Heather Pady (Public Member) Sonja Wyss (Public Member) Members Absent: Councillor Chris Gerrits (Chair) Staff Present: Scott Burns, Director of Public Works/County Engineer

(Acting Chair) Caroline Mach, County Forest Manager Michelle Dunne, Deputy Clerk Rebecca Whelan, Information Management Coordinator In the absence of the Chair, Scott Burns called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST BY MEMBERS Sonja Wyss declared a conflict of interest on Item #4 – Presentation, Discussion and Consideration of Ontario Trail Riders Association Proposal as she is the President of the Ontario Trail Riders Association.

DISCUSSION 1. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #1 Review of Minutes – October 3, 2018 The Team reviewed the minutes from the October 3, 2018 meeting.

Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team Minutes –August 28, 2019 – Page 2

Moved by Andy Kennedy, seconded by Heather Pady

THAT the Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team minutes from the October 3, 2018 meeting be received.

-Carried- 2. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #2 Collecting User Data

The Team discussed the report from the County Forest Manager regarding options for determining levels of use of the County Forest tracts. The Team discussed continuing with collecting traffic data at the Main Tract as well as expanding the collecting to other tracts. One potential option for the collection of data was circulated on desk by Lisa Needham. The data would be collected by volunteers one week per season (4 times a year). Data to be collected would include number of people, type of activity, and date/time of use. The Team also discussed collecting feedback on signage, emergency signage, mapping, and other changes recently implemented. They discussed the possibility of developing short survey questions to gather feedback on these items. Moved by Andy Kennedy, seconded by Sonja Wyss THAT the report from the County Forest Manager, dated August 28, 2019, to provide information and promote discussion about options for determining levels of use of the County Forest tracts be received.

-Carried- 3. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #3 Attracting Users to Tracts Other Than Main Tract

The Team discussed the report from the County Forest Manager regarding options for attracting users to tracts of the County Forest other than the Main Tract. Ideas brought forward by the Team included:

• Work with the local municipalities to highlight the tracts in their area on social media and through their networks

Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team Minutes –August 28, 2019 – Page 3

• Work with the user groups to promote the tracts where their activity is permitted

• Include promotional material in the Welcome Wagon • Create a social media type campaign where people can post their photos

from the trails • Review signage and parking in order to increase accessibility of the tracts

Moved by Andy Kennedy, seconded by Tanya Boniakowski THAT the report from the County Forest Manager, dated August 28, 2019, to provide information and promote discussion about options for attracting users to tracts of the County Forest other than the Main Tract be received.

-Carried- 4. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #4

Presentation, Discussion and Consideration of Ontario Trail Riders Association Proposal Sonja Wyss presented a proposal from the Ontario Trail Riders Association (OTRA) regarding designating an existing trail as an equestrian use trail. The trail is currently designated as a cycling trail. The proposed trail does not cross any existing cycling trails and new entrances would be created to eliminate safety concerns. OTRA volunteers have committed to doing any maintenance work required. This option was chosen because OTRA feels it minimizes the impact on the forest ecosystem.

Following her presentation, Sonja Wyss left the room at 6:51 p.m. during the consideration and voting on the proposal. The Team discussed the proposal based on the following merits:

• Safety • Collaboration • Enjoyment and benefit for all • Maintenance and • Impact.

The Team expressed concerns that there was a lack of collaboration with other user groups that might be impacted by this proposal.

Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team Minutes –August 28, 2019 – Page 4

Moved by Heather Pady, seconded by Tanya Boniakowski THAT the Ontario Trail Riders Association work with other user groups to develop a proposal for a new trail to be designated for equestrian use.

-Carried- Sonja Wyss returned to the room at 6:58 p.m. 5. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #5

Presentation, Discussion and Consideration of Johnny Yeaman’s Rerouting Proposal Johnny Yeaman presented a proposal requesting the rerouting of a trail at the Main Tract. The purpose of the alteration is to increase user safety. The sightlines will be improved by this rerouting, creating a safer way to cross the trails that intersect. Moved by Tanya Boniakowski, seconded by Andy Kennedy THAT the trail reroute as outlined in the proposal (marked on the attached map in dark green within the black circle) be approved.

-Carried- 6. FOREST ADVISORY TEAM – August 28, 2019 – ITEM #6

Presentation, Discussion and Consideration of Johnny Yeaman’s Cycling Trail Proposal Johnny Yeaman presented a proposal requesting the addition of a cycling trail to bypass the Forest Road and connect two sections of trail. The new trail would run parallel to the Forest Road. The proposed trail would increase user enjoyment as it would create a separate trail for cyclists while allowing equestrians to continue to use the Forest Road. This trail would be built for beginners which will encourage the participation of new riders and children. The trail would be built with appropriate sightlines at the trail crossings. The Team discussed the proposal based on the following merits:

• Safety • Collaboration • Enjoyment and benefit for all • Maintenance and

Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team Minutes –August 28, 2019 – Page 5

• Impact. There were concerns raised about the safety of the intersections as well as the impact that the creation of a new trail has on the forest ecosystem. There were also concerns that the location of the new trail would eliminate opportunities for other users to build trails. Moved by Andy Kennedy, seconded by Tanya Boniakowski THAT the trail proposal (marked on the attached map in purple) be approved, contingent upon consultation with the Friends of the Dufferin County Forest and staff regarding safety concerns at intersections.

-Carried- OTHER BUSINESS Sonja Wyss asked why Johnny Yeaman’s proposal referenced the Friends of the Dufferin County Forest when not all members of the Friends were contacted regarding the proposal. Staff will look at communication mechanisms to ensure information is shared with the Friends of the Dufferin County Forest. It was suggested that information on maintenance days and trail builds be emailed to all members of the Friends of the Dufferin County Forest. Heather Pady asked if the Team could receive an update on the Friends of the Dufferin County Forest as well as any feedback received on new trails. Staff will provide an update at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Next Meeting: To Be Determined 55 Zina Street, Orangeville – Sutton Room Respectfully submitted,

……………………………………………… Scott Burns, Director of Public Works/County Engineer, Acting Chair Dufferin County Forest Advisory Team