Take a hike! Rainbow Routes releases new trail map

Rainbow Routes Association recently unveiled its first new trail map in five years, as the Sudbury leg of the of the Trans-Canada Trail nears completion.

The new map, as well as other key updates, were shared with the media on June 17 in the foyer of Tom Davies Square.

The third edition of the map, which is dramatically updated over the 2010 version, covers off more than 200 kilometres of trails within the Greater City of Sudbury municipal area.

"These trails contribute to the liveability of our neighbourhoods, and help to connect neighbourhoods," noted mayor Brian Bigger.

Rainbow Routes president Ursula Sauvé said when the TCT is completed, ideally by 2017, there will still be plenty of work to be done. "We would like to see more trails inside of Greater Sudbury, and more connection between the trails," said Sauvé.

"Both walking trails and cycling are critically important. If people are cycling on the roads, safety becomes a huge issue."

Given a mandate to develop “8 to 80" trails - that is to say trails that can be navigated by folks aged anywhere from eight years old to 80 years of age - it is clear that there remains plenty of room for progress.

Still, there are plenty of encouraging signs.

"We're really pleased with the increase in the number of routes that are available for people to be out and active," said Sudbury & District Health Unit acting director of health promotion, Nicole Frappier.

"Our goal is to make it easy for people to be active,” she said.

“What we are seeing is that lack of awareness, lack of availability, the access piece, the need for safe routes - all of these factor into the challenge of trying to increase our numbers.”

Rainbow Routes executive director Samantha Baulch said some 300 responses to an association survey seeking input on what Sudburians were looking for was taken into account when creating the new map.

"It's a fresh, up to date reflection of what people wanted to see included," said Baulch. The free maps are available at any Citizen Service Centre, or at any branch of the Sudbury Public Library.