May 30, 2006 – We have been busy scheduling and coordinating lots of trail related activities for the year! As IMBA’s 2006 Urban Hot Spot, Toronto has a full schedule of exciting trail programs:

1. Regular trail work sessions from June – October
This year, we have changed our schedule to twice each month, one Sunday and one Monday. Sunday sessions will dedicated to trail work, and Monday sessions will be trail assessments. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

2. New Toronto Trails Hotline – 416-338-DIRT
Call for information on natural surface trails, scheduled events and trail work sessions, and to report trail concerns and ask questions.

3. Toronto Trail Ambassadors are now hired
This season, watch for Juno and Dean, the City of Toronto’s new Trail Ambassadors, out on the trails. Juno and Dean will be doing trail work, trail assessments, trail/cycling advocacy, and making recommendations and improvements. If you see them on their bikes out on the trails, be sure to stop and say hello!

4. May 31 – Trail Building Workshop with the new City of Toronto Trail Ambassadors
6pm to 8 p.m. @ Crother’s woods, Don Valley Trail System
Join the City of Toronto Trail Ambassadors, and staff from Natural Environment, Parks Forestry and Recreation, for an evening of sustainable trail building.
Meet at 21 Redway Rd. Entrance through southeast corner of the parking lot. www.toronto.ca/cycling or 416-392-7592 for more information.

5. Wednesday, July 5 (evening) – The Second Annual Ride / Run the Don
Brought to you by the City of Toronto, IMBA and Norco. This year we are expanding to include Don trail runners! There will be a ride and a run through the Don trails, and BBQ following. Call 416-338-DIRT or tkaplan@toronto.ca for more information and to sign up.

6. July – Advance Trail Workshop in the Don
Get down and dirty and give back to the trails! If you ride, hike, or run in the Don, here’s a chance show some love to the trails we all enjoy. This 1-day project is hosted by the City of Toronto, and will be led by IMBA Canada trail specialists. Date and location to be determined. Contact 416-338-DIRT or tkaplan@toronto.ca for more information and to register.

7. Sept. 16/17 – IMBA Sustainable Trails Workshop
Want to learn more about trails? IMBA Canada trail specialists Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner and the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, are hosting this 2-day IMBA Trailbuilding School. Participants will learn the art and science behind building and maintaining sustainable trails. This workshop is FREE and open to everyone! Location to be determined. Contact 416-38-DIRT or tkaplan@toronto.ca for more information and to register.