The City has been working with the community to make sustainable trails in the ravines for the last few years. Back when I was working with the city we got trained to swing a adze-like tool called a Pulaski and solid rake-like stamping tool called a Mccloud to move dirt and such. We got to do trail work in the humid summer days making sustainable trails that can withstand a lot more rain and usage by dog walkers and mountain bikers. The city's recent Sustainable Trails Initiative newsletter is below (and if you haven't tried out these trails yet I highly recommend it):
Loblaws Trailhead: After many years of planning, the Loblaws trailhead became a reality when it was constructed by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in October. The new trailhead will eventually house a bulletin board for park users, a comprehensive trail map, a Crothers Woods interpretive sign and trail etiquette guidelines. The trailhead will also be home to a memorial stone and plaque in commemoration of the late Thomas Hauser, an individual who spent countless hours helping the City of Toronto and the International Mountain Biking Association improve the quality and sustainability of the trail system in Crothers Woods.
In May of 2008 the City of Toronto will host an official opening of the trailhead for everyone from the Crothers Woods community.
City-Wide Mountain Biking Strategy: Parks, Forestry & Recreation – Strategic Services Branch is developing a City-Wide Mountain Biking Strategy. The goal of the strategy is to determine the best way to provide recreational opportunities for off-road cyclists, while balancing environmental protection and safety concerns. PFR will be holding meetings with stakeholders over the next few months. More information will be sent out in December. Contact Jennifer Kowalski at jkowals@toronto.ca or 416-392-7203 for information on how to get involved.
Double Track Construction in Sun Valley: From December 1st to 8th, a short section of trail will be closed in Sun Valley for improvements. The section of the trail to be closed is from the entrance at #91 Bayview, along the west bank of the Don River to the Beechwood Bridge. The trail, which has been eroded for several years, will be re-graded and re-aligned to meet the standards set out in the Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy. This area will become the first section of trail designated as beginner double track. For more information on future trail construction plans, please refer to the map on page 39 of the Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy.
http://www.toronto.ca/trees/pdfs/CothersWoodsTrailManagementStrategy.pdf
Maps will be posted this week at all access points into Crothers Woods and Sun Valley to notify users of the closure
Pottery Rd. Trail Closures and Re-alignment: As many of you may have noticed, two 'fall lines' were closed again this year at Pottery Road. These lines were closed due to environmental and safety concerns, and to encourage the use of the new switchback trail built by volunteers. Another group of volunteers from Deloitte Canada worked for a full day in August to close off the trails by digging up compacted areas, filling eroded sections, and planting the area while using brush and logs to block access. They also installed trailhead and trail closed signs.
I would like to thank the members of the Crothers Woods community who helped identify and inform those who were continuously damaging and removing plant material and signs from the area in an attempt to re-open the trails. This cooperative effort was a great help in informing these individuals about the purpose of the trail closures and our goals for the area. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
In addition to the new closure, we will be re-aligning the eastern most trail so it will enter and exit from the parking lot as opposed to adjacent to the railroad tracks as it does now. The small bridge that used to cross Cudmore Creek will be re-installed to accommodate this new trail about 5m south of its original location.
