ORMF

PRESS RELEASE

Prevent dreaded holiday weight gain with a hike on the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail.

KING CITY, ON, December 7, 2010…The holiday season is drawing near, and with all the baked goods, lavish meals and festive drinks that accompany it, December often takes a toll on the personal health and fitness of many Ontarians. Engaging in physical activity is one of the strongest defences individuals have to fight off the extra pounds that result from wintertime socializing with family and friends.

Where better to start than in your own back yard?

Since 2002 an additional 103.6 kilometres have been secured for the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail.  It now stretches 273 kilometres from Castleton and Warkworth in the east to Mono Township in the west where it meets the Bruce Trail.  Prior to the achievements of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) and the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) there were only 179.9 kilometres of main trail in total.

In addition to main trail kilometers, 27.8 kilometres of side trail have been developed.  There are 29 side trail loops located off the main trail, which help link communities to the Moraine’s beautiful landscapes.

The Oak Ridges Trail provides many benefits to its communities, both environmentally and physically.  Crossing 15 local communities, eight counties and regions and seven conservation authorities, it educates the public about its environmental offerings while improving upon their personal health.

On Thursday, October 21, 2010, the ORMF and the ORTA celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of ten new kilometers of Oak Ridges Trail in Cramahe Township.  These ten kilometres represent the final link in a vision to have a continuous east to west access across the entire length of the Oak Ridges Moraine, one of southern Ontario’s largest and most ecologically important landscapes.

The east to west connection of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail is a major accomplishment for the ORMF and ORTA as it fulfills one of the Province’s objectives set out in the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP).  Established in 2002, the ORMCP was developed by the Provincial Government to provide land use and resource management direction for land and water on the Moraine.  Section 39 of the ORMCP called for a continuous east to west trail along the entire length of the Moraine.

Although the goal of establishing a publicly accessible trail system that traverses the entire length of the Moraine has been accomplished, Kim Gavine, Executive Director of the ORMF, says there is still work to be done. “Discussions must continue with private landowners, municipalities and conservation authorities to seek opportunities to move some trail sections that are currently located on municipal roads into quieter, more scenic areas, where hikers will gain a better appreciation of the Moraine’s significance.“

In an effort to battle dreaded holiday bulge, lace up your walking shoes and explore the Moraine today!

For more information about the ORMF and the Trail visit http://moraineforlife.org