Trail Modelling & Development in the Ganaraska Forest

Dual-track trail in the Ganaraska Forest
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Double track trail in Central Ganaraska Forest

Help Shape the Future of Recreation

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) owns and manages the 11,000-acre Ganaraska Forest, which includes a recreational program, offering multi-use activities on the property.

In 2024, the GRCA will be undertaking steps to create a GIS-based model to help determine recreational trail locations in the Ganaraska Forest. Once created, this model will be used to run scenarios to recommend and refine recreational trail locations.

The GRCA would like to thank the many participants for taking the time to complete the online survey and attend the two public open houses. Your valuable input and involvement are greatly appreciated.

As of March 7th, 2024, the Trails Survey has closed.

Completed Public Open Houses

WHEN:  
Tues., Feb. 27, 2024
3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

WHERE:
Ganaraska Forest Centre
10585 Cold Springs Camp Rd.,
Campbellcroft, ON

WHEN:  
Wed., Feb. 28, 2024
3:00 PM to 5:30 PM

WHERE:
GRCA Administrative Office
2216 County Rd. 28,
Port Hope, ON

For questions or additional information, please contact the GRCA at 905.885.8173, Mon.–Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Project

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) owns and manages the 11,000-acre Ganaraska Forest, which includes a recreational program, offering multi-use activities on the property.

This project has been created to determine if a Geographic Information System (GlS)-based method / model can be used for recommending and refining recreational trail locations, based on environmental factors, as well as user preferences for trail attributes.

Trail network design criteria, which can be used by a model, is required to guide where trails should be placed in the Ganaraska Forest by considering natural features, topography and user preference.

How the Model Can Be Used

In 2024, the GRCA will be undertaking steps to create a GIS-based model that will be used to recommend and refine recreational trail locations on GRCA lands that comprise the Ganaraska Forest.

Once created, this model can be used to run scenarios to support trail placement, design and development. Phase 1 will be carried out in 2024 to support multi-use, non-motorized activities within the Central Ganaraska Forest.

Phase 2, which will begin in 2025, will involve trail design and development to support a tread-width of 1 meter and a total trail-width of 3 metres. The trail will start and end at defined parking lots and will have limited interaction with existing trails. Consideration will be given to multiple loops of various lengths.

Please Note: Future model scenarios will be carried out in the West and East Ganaraska Forest to support multi-use motorized activities.