Research Initiatives
The Trail Research Hub undertakes research, education, and outreach initiatives to support sustainable trail development, construction, and maintenance across Canada while establishing best practice guidelines for trails governance and management.
Research
The Trail Research Hub undertakes research initiatives to support sustainable trail development, construction, and maintenance across Canada and to establish best practice guidelines for trails governance and management.
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As such, members of the Hub offer the following
Research Services:
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Community-Based Research Facilitation
Study Design and Implementation
Data Collection and Analysis
Production of Academic Papers and Industry White Papers
Presentations of Research Findings
Current Research Initiatives
You can learn more about our current research projects and related initiatives below.
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The Hydrocut Trail
Economic Impact Study
Community-Based Research Project
Team: Kelsey Johansen,
and Harvey Lemelin
The Hydrocut Trail system is consistently ranked as one of the top MTB riding destinations in Ontario and is recognized across Canada for its 35km of “flowing” trails that see over 80,000 visitors per year. The trails are open and free to the public. They feature board walks and bridges, switchbacks and “armoured” walls, with fast lines and technical features to challenge the most skilled of riders.
The purpose of this study is to define the current local versus non-local Hydrocut Ridership profiles, riding and spending patterns, and market segments, understand the trail tourism destination development needs of its market segments, and determine the current and projected future economic impacts of the Hydrocut trail system for the Waterloo Region.
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This project a joint collaboration between researchers affiliated with the Trail Research Hub, Lakehead University's School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, the University of Eastern Finland's Tourism Business Research Community, and community partners, the Hydrocut Trails Committee.
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Trails and Social Enterprise
Longitudinal Research Project
The Trails and Social Enterprise Research Project is a longitudinal research project investigating how community-based trail organizations can function under a social enterprise and collective impact model.
This research seeks to identify key trends impacting trail use in Canada, and to determine what governance structures can best support and grow trails in communities across Canada as meaningful outdoor recreation and tourism resources.
Past Research Initiatives
You can learn more about our past research projects and related initiatives below.
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Grand Watershed Trail-Based Recreation and Tourism Project
Community-Based Research Project
The Grand Watershed Trails Network is a new trail development organization actively engaged in the design and development of a multi-use trail along the Grand River, encompassing a network of trails in the watershed.
The purpose of this study is to gauge regional businesses awareness of the Grand Watershed Trails Network and Ontario by Bike – Bike Friendly Business criteria, and the importance they place on trail-based recreation and tourism, including but not limited to cycling, hiking, and paddling.
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Blacksheep MBC - Thunder Bay Region Mountain Bike User Survey
Community-Based Research Project
The Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club Thunder Bay Region Mountain Bike User Survey is a joint collaboration between researchers affiliated with the Trail Research Hub, the University of Waterloo's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and Lakehead University's School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, and community partners, including the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club.
Insuring Ontario's Trail Survey
Analytical Support for
Survey Research
Team: Kelsey Johansen
and Patrick Connor (Ontario Trails Council)
In response to issues presented by members of the Ontario Trails Council’s Subcommittee on Trail Tourism in early 2021, the Ontario Trails Council designed and implemented the Insuring Ontario’s Trails Survey in partnership with the Trail Research Hub who provided analytical support for the survey.
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This survey aimed to better understand the current insurance acquisition and insurance policy parameter challenges being faced by trail organizations in Ontario as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing policy and practice changes within the insurance sector observed over recent years.
Ontario Trails
ICD Projects
Joint Community-Based Research
Project and Educational Initiative
The Ontario Trails Integrated Curriculum Design (ICD) Projects are a series of joint community-based research projects and educational initiatives being undertaken by the University of Waterloo's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in partnership with the Ontario Trails Council and trail organizations across Ontario, including the Bruce Trail, Hastings Destination Trails, and the Hydrocut.
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Research Publications
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Publications arising from these collaborations, including academic papers, white papers, and other outputs (like Infographics, maps and audiovisual materials) created by members
of the Trail Research Hub will be available by clicking the button below
after they have been shared with community partners.
