UPDATE: the electronically broadcast council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 22 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. due to technical difficulties.
Huntsville Town Council will decide on Monday, June 22 whether it will support a multi-use trail system at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area (HVHSA). The trail development proposal by the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) will be presented to councillors in a staff report by economic development officer, Scott Ovell.
The four options presented in the report relate to a proposed tri-party agreement between the Town, HVHSA, and the HMBA for the development of multi-use trails at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area, which would be free of charge and open to the public .
The staff report recommends that council not support the proposal.
Buck Miller, president of the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) said that the proposed trail system would include “roughly eight kilometres of beginner and intermediate trails, all built to the high safety standards of the IMBA [International Mountain Biking Association]. There would be no fees to residents, the public, or visitors. No membership with HMBA or Hidden Valley would be required. If council votes in favour, the HMBA feels we can get the trails ready by the end of July 2020.”
According to the staff report, the HMBA approached the Town’s Economic Development Committee in May 2018, indicating their desire to expand the trail systems in Huntsville to encourage participation in the sport of mountain biking. Council subsequently passed a motion directing staff to work with the HMBA to look at possible available lands. However, they were unsuccessful in their efforts to find suitable public or private land spaces.
Then, in late fall 2019, Miller met with Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area general manager Andrew Rusynyk to propose a multi-use trail system on the Hidden Valley property behind the red and green chairlifts. Rusynyk was in favour, but wanted to enter into an agreement in which the Town leases the land so that the multi-use trails could be open and accessible to the public, with the accompanying appropriate insurance coverage.
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area currently only operates in the winter. If multi-use trails are developed, they would be behind the green and red chairlifts and would not include any downhill riding. The red chairlift is pictured here behind the chalet. (Brenda Liddle)
“We’re not re-inventing the wheel on this,” said Kristi MacDonald of The Bike Shop in Huntsville. “Many other towns have exactly this type of relationship agreement to create multi-use trail systems, including Bracebridge, Durham County, Simcoe, and many others.”
Indeed, the Huntsville staff report outlines the similar model of tri-partnership that the Town of Bracebridge has successfully developed with the Muskoka Off-Road Cycling Association (MORCA) and a private landowner, called Porcupine Ridge. The Town of Bracebridge leases the Porcupine Ridge land for one dollar annually, and MORCA develops and maintains the trail system, with the agreement that trails are open to the public at no charge. According to the staff report, MORCA carries the necessary insurance coverage recommended by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) for the trail system, which is for mountain biking only. A MORCA representative told Doppler via email that “all three parties carry insurance policies, which are dictated by, and detailed in the legal agreement.”
HMBA already maintains trails at Echo Valley Nature and Bike Trails, located about three kilometres east of Dwight, just off Highway 60. The Township of Lake of Bays owns that multi-use property and its insurance covers all non-motorized trail use, said Miller.
The HMBA maintains trails like this one, which rider Jenny Miller is navigating, at Echo Valley about three kilometres west of Dwight (Buck Miller)
After reviewing the Town of Bracebridge agreements, the board of directors for the Muskoka Ski Club, which owns Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area, ultimately supported entering into a similar tri-partnership with the Town and the HMBA, subject to solicitor’s review by each party.
“We’re in support of offering up our property,” said Rusynyk. “It would be nice to get council support. It’s really a win-win situation for everybody. We would have multi-use trails to offer to our membership. HMBA would build and maintain the trails, and their members could play on them. And the Town would have an attraction park to promote under their control to offer to tourists and residents.”
“Having this green space will open up economic and physical development,” said Miller. “The idea is to get multi-use mountain bike trails added to the already existing system, so that people could ride their bikes from town, along the Fairy Vista trail, and then to the Hidden Valley trails, instead of having to drive somewhere with their bikes. It’s important to connect the trail systems.”
The Town of Huntsville’s 2019-2023 Strategic Plan states a goal of “Promotion of healthy active living in Huntsville and providing the programs and opportunities for recreation for all” with the objective to “Create partnerships with community groups & develop/implement plan.”
There were positive aspects for the community indicated in the Town’s report of the proposal: “If the Town choose to participate in this partnership it would provide public access to Mountain Biking Trails creating a new opportunity for residents to participate in an outdoor activity, maintain social distancing, stay active, and improve mental and physical health.”
So why does the report from Town staff recommend council not move forward with this proposal?
In the report, staff is not only recommending the Town not proceed with any of the tri-partnership options to develop accessible multi-use trails to the public but, even further, that council should not direct staff to look at alternative options to develop mountain bike trails in Huntsville.
“It disheartens us that the staff is not supportive of this. They have not only recommended that the council not proceed with the options, but stated the Town shouldn’t proceed with any mountain biking option,” said Miller. “That stance shows no room for growth in the mountain biking community.”
He added that “The Town of Huntsville markets itself as an outdoor experience playground, yet there are no public single-track mountain biking trails anywhere in Huntsville. What does that say to our three bike stores in town and the residents who buy their mountain bikes here? That they should buy bikes here so that they can drive to Bracebridge with them?”
The staff report notes that the Town’s insurance agent outlined a recent case in Bruce County where the county was found 100 per cent liable for an injury that took place on “recreational mountain bike trails”, and suggested this has changed the risk management and insurance landscape pertaining to mountain biking where municipalities are involved.
The insurance agent may be referring to a case, described on the IMBA website, of an unfortunate incident at the Bruce Peninsula Mountain Bike Adventure Park in Wiarton in 2008. This was not on “recreational trails”, but rather in a “trials” bike park skills section—like an obstacle course—where the rider attempted a 26-inch teeter-totter technical feature and suffered serious injuries.
This is not the type of trail that is being proposed by the HMBA or Hidden Valley, said Miller.
“The trails would be multi-use trails for all. The HMBA wants other users of the green space—birders, hikers, runners, and walkers. When you share the trail, it’s a safer trail system for all,” he said. “HMBA will build the trails, create signage for them, rate their difficulty level, and continue to maintain them. There won’t be downhill riding, and no purpose-built jumps, only what is naturally there. There will be ride-around options on any natural topography for an easy route, providing an A and a B line.”
The wording in the Town staff report alternates between “recreational trail system/development” and “mountain bike trails”, but only uses the phrase “mountain bike trails” in the Options section where the four recommendations to council are made. Those options are:
- Option #1 – Council could choose to not enter into agreements with Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association for the purposes of developing and maintain publicly accessible mountain bike trails in Huntsville. (Recommended)
- Option #2 – Council could direct staff to finalize the agreement, have the agreement reviewed by legal and the Town’s Insurer to determine if the risk can be fully transferred/covered and report back to Council (not recommended)
- Option #3 – Council could choose to enter into agreements with Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association for the purposes of developing and maintain publicly accessible mountain bike trails in Huntsville, subject to legal review of agreement. (Not Recommended)
- Option #4 – Council could direct staff to look at alternative options to develop Mountain Bike trails in Huntsville (Not Recommended)
“There are multiple points of view to consider, not just the legal aspects. There are benefits to the community, for tourism, and for the physical well being of residents,” said Rusynyk. “We need to have playgrounds. We need to have recreation. This is one of the things that has become much more apparent with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
MacDonald remains hopeful. “Huntsville is trying to be a recreation destination location. I’ve spoken with several town councillors who support the idea to move ahead with this proposal.”
The Bike Shop showed their support for the proposal in a Facebook post on June 12, which was shared multiple times: “Huntsville Mountain Bike Association is working hard to build multi use trails in Huntsville. All will benefit. Better for the residence [sic] to have a place to exercise. Better for business, as people [who] are drawn to the trails look for a place to sleep or eat. Better for our community when people look for where they want to live. Support them by reaching out to your town counsellors [sic]. Let them know you want to see trails in Huntsville.”
Town Council will vote on the proposal at its council meeting on Monday, June 22, being held electronically starting at 5:00 p.m.
To view the Town of Huntsville staff report on the proposal click here. For a list of your local councillors, click here.
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I think this is a wonderful initiative!
Having been on the committee which produced the “Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative” manual in 2006; I have always been a supporter of active transportation. Admittedly, the above-referenced manual was for accessible trails, and only portions of it would be applicable to steeper trails.
I did, however, spend half an hour on the internet; casting about for support of this initiative.
I found an excellent manual entitled “Risk Management for Trails”; produced by Direct Bearing Incorporated in 2013. Unless I’m misreading the situation, the cost of liability insurance is the major sticking point; so this may well ameliorate that situation. Nevertheless, not being satisfied with only that, I re-examined the municipal gas tax rebate. It is designated specifically for ESMI (Environmentally Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure). Active transportation qualifies for sure, e.g., bike lanes: Would the proposed trail qualify, and if so, could the rebate be applied to insurance costs (as all others are borne by others)?
In any case, as Councillor Withey suggests, these suggestions may be entirely unnecessary; as liability insurance may not prove to be cost-prohibitive.
Furthermore, not only would this trail be a significant new arrow in Huntsville Tourism’s quiver; but many scientists are projecting the need for “social distancing” into 2022. Also, of course, obesity and early-onset Diabetes 2 are major problems for our youth; as well as largely unnecessary expenses for our healthcare system.
Taken as a whole, I am obviously hugely disappointed with staff’s ill-considered and shortsighted recommendation.
As a cyclist across all disciplines, we’re very used to sharing trails with hikers, runners and walkers. Very few mountain bike areas in Canada are open to riders exclusively. In the town staff report, I was disappointed in the omission of the insurance adjustment cost for “adding risk”. Furthermore, the report mentions that trails could attract advanced riders, thus increasing the risk of a claim. The more advanced skill a rider has, the safer they are. Having advanced skill prepares the rider for everything possible and makes reaction time incredibly fast. There’s safer, new standards in trail building and trail maintenance out there today. At Echo Valley in Lake of Bays riders and walkers share the trails happily and the trail system is enjoyed by everyone. I look forward to volunteering my family’s time to help bring this awesome public/private initiative together. Thanks so very much to all those who support this proposal.
Sounds like a good idea.
Walkers and bikes on the same trail could be a hazard. But, if a parallel walk and bike trail were made it could work.
Insurance fear can not rule our lives. Stuff just happens and ways to mitigate liability need to be found.
What ever happened to ‘personal responsibility’ ?
As a Town an District Councillor who also happens to be an insurance broker, I felt I should weigh into this discussion here. I have had personal conversations recently with many constituents who are in favour of this proposal.
After careful consideration and research with my different hats on I believe this proposal falls into the bucket that I call “things that municipal governments do for the benefit of their constituents”. Much like providing arenas, pools and sports fields, this can only benefit and support our collective mission to promote active communities. If it results in an increase in economic activity with tourists etc, so be it but it isn’t the driving force behind my support.
Is there risk? Of course! There aren’t many activities that don’t have it. In every day life accidents and misfortune happen. We need to do the best that we can to mitigate any risk, which I believe all involved parties are invested in. I do not believe this addition to the Town’s insurance policy will be cost prohibitive, according to my research. Hopefully there will be an answer to this question from our insurers.
I will be supporting this initiative and urging my colleagues to do the same
Mountain Biking is one of the fastest growing sports out there. Huntsville has huge opportunities to develop trails which will attract tourism as well as provide a place to promote physical activity and well-being of people in the community . Please support this initiative!
I support this idea 100% as long as it remains multiuse so that walkers and runners are as welcome as bikers. Could liability fears be solved by users signing a waiver (on the spot or online, possibly good for a calendar year)?
This is a great opportunity to further sports tourism in Huntsville which has a positive track record over the last twenty years in Huntsville. It’s also a nice public private cooperative effort.
It’s frustrating to think that this great idea may not go ahead because of liability fears. Our community has great volunteers, generous businesses, and a desire to create opportunities for healthy, active, year-round recreation. Can’t the town find a way to support this?
Although my own mountain bike/single track days are over, I fully support the implementation of this trail proposal. When we were mountain biking, we loaded up and drove elsewhere for trail riding.
As an aside, we still have to load up our hybrid bikes and drive to Algonqion Park or Orillia or Collingwood to access really good trails. But that’s a plea for another day.
Right now, we have an opportunity to benefit from these proposed trails. People need more opportunity to walk, hike, bike right here in our town and not have to go elsewhere.
Just do it!
Great idea! The mountain bike community is in need of more local spots and it will be used and appreciated by all
Huntsville residents could really benefit from these multi-use trails. We need more opportunity to walk, hike, bike right here in our town, not having to go elsewhere.
I think these trails are a great idea and fully support them. I hope the Town Council does too!
The trails support an active and healthy lifestyle. Would be a very disappointing outcome if the town decides against the trails.
This is exactly what huntsville needs! I support it 100%
I think the HMBA has hit on a Great Idea!
It will increase tourism and support a host of outdoor activities for all those wishing to use the trail system!!!