About EOTA
In September, 1997, the Hastings/Quinte/Land O’ Lakes Recreational Steering Committee was formed as a vehicle for bringing together people and groups who had an interest in developing a regional trails network. Representatives were from area municipalities, various trail groups, Chamber of Commerce, Conservation Authorities, and individuals. This umbrella trails group was renamed the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance in the spring of 1998. The organization was incorporated in 1999 under the mandate provided to it by the Province of Ontario and various Municipal Corporations of Eastern Ontario.
Goals & Objectives
- The preservation of the continuity of the Corridors for Tourism and other economics uses
- The management of the corridors as a multi-use facility, representing the interest of recreational users, adjoining landowners and other interested groups
- The development of the Corridors as a recreational attraction contributing to the Tourism and economy of the Eastern Ontario Region
- The preservation and enhancement of natural and human heritage along the Corridors
Board Members
Dave Gerow, Chair – Havelock-Belmount-Methuen
Cindy Cassidy, General Manager – EOTA
Bill Palmateer, Secretary/Treasurer – Hastings Federation of Agriculture
Susan Freeman, Director – Lanark County
Andy Anderson, Director – Addington Highlands
Jeremy Solmes, Director – Township of Stirling Rawdon
Jeff Matson, Director – Township of Central Frontenac
Ken Hook, Director – Land O’ Lakes Tourist Association
Lou Kirby, Director – OFSC
Robert Sararas, Director – Municipality of Centre Hastings
Dan McCaw – Hastings County Rep.
Wayne Wiggins, Director – Town of Bancroft
Linda Bracken, Director – Municipality of Marmora & Lake
Meirion Jones, Director – Trent Hills
Frank Mills, Director – Hastings Highlands
Corey Klatt, Director, Director – Township of North Frontenac
Mission Statement
To develop, manage, maintain and market a comprehensive network of year round shared use recreational trails in the area, recognizing that there are other future uses for corridors ie. utility. EOTA will partner whenever possible. Each person sitting on the board of directors or a committee will work in good faith for the organization.
History
In September 1997 the Hastings/Quinte/Land o’ Lakes Recreational Steering Committee was formed as a vehicle for bringing together people and groups who had an interest in developing a regional trails network. Representatives were from area municipalities, various trail groups, Chamber of Commerce, Conservation Authorities, and individuals. This umbrella trails group was renamed the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance in the spring of 1998.
The Organization was incorporated in 1999 under the mandate provided to it by the Province of Ontario and various Municipal Corporations of Eastern Ontario (Goals and Objectives). Thanks to funding sources and partners, the Alliance has completed an inventory of abandoned rail lines and existing trails; involvement of landowners; an overall strategic Master Plan; a management plan for future operation, maintenance and marketing of the trails network; identified economic opportunities relating to trails and tourism; the creation of jobs and the production of a tourism trail map and internet web site.
Features
The trails offer a variety of interesting features for the day tripper. Wandering from north to south and east to west the land goes through an array of changes as the granite shield of the north runs into the limestone base of the old Ontario Lake bed to the south. In the north, the geology is very very old, the worn remnants of mountain ranges from long ago.
Some of this rock is 2.5 Billion years old. In the south, if one takes the time to look at the limestone, they might see fossils of animals that lived in the now gone lake 160 million years ago. One will also find many old and new bridges that have been used for many years and which were used by the trains that travelled along the old railway tracks. There is an innumerable amount of wildlife to be cherished on and around the trail as well. Birdwatching is a common activity that those who use the trails partake in.
Come and enjoy the many features of the Eastern Ontario Trails!
