Barrie, ON, May 31, 2017 – During the 50th Anniversary Year of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and in celebration of Ontario Trails Week, May 29 to June 4, The Province of Ontario has announced that the OFSC’s Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) Trails are being honoured as “Ontario Trails of Distinction” (OTD) under a new program launching this week.
According to The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Recreation, the OTD Program is a legacy initiative of the 150th anniversary of Ontario and is designed to showcase and celebrate distinctive trails in the province. The OTD Program will also help promote Ontario trails as a premiere tourist destination.
“This worthy recognition is a credit to the collective efforts of our clubs and volunteers who can be justly proud of delivering this amazing trail product over the past 50 years,” said OFSC Executive Director Paul Shaughnessy. “The Ontario Trails of Distinction designation will be beneficial to the future promotion and health of organized recreational snowmobiling across Ontario.”
Through its member snowmobile clubs, the OFSC provides more than 30,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails each winter that account for more than 50% of the total number of recreational trails in this province. More than 20% of the OFSC system is comprised of TOP Trails, which provide an integrated framework for the local and regional club trails that comprise the balance. Altogether, the OFSC trail network generates $1.7 billion of economic impact annually for Ontario.
Launched in 1993, OFSC TOP Trails provide snowmobile access across the province to tourism regions and connect snowbelt communities. As primary snowmobile touring routes, TOP Trails have links to services and amenities, heritage features, club trails and also include 33 designated OFSC Snow Tours.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in the Province of Ontario.
