15 Trail Crew Leaders Trained as part of Toronto Urban Hot Spot
 15 passionate trailworkers took part in the 2-day trail crew leader workshop. These new crew leaders will be heading up trailwork sessions on Toronto's trails this summer and fall. |
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 Safety is an important part of every workday. Here, prospective crew leaders take turns demonstrating how to use the tools, and reviewing safe ways to carry and store them. |
 To be effective, a crew needs to understand the objective of the project they are working on. A good crew leader will explain the project and make sure that all questions have been answered before moving dirt. This crew leader explains why a reroute is needed to replace an eroded fall-line trail. |
 To lead a project, a crew leader must be confident in their skills as a trailbuilder. Here, crew leaders practice the ancient art of stone-pitching. |
 Once a project is complete, it's important to try out the new trail. This will test the trail's flow and reward the crew that has worked so hard to build it. |
Fifteen new trail crew leaders were trained April 8 and 9, 2006 at a workshop taught by IMBA Canada and hosted by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation. As part of the Toronto Urban Hotspot Campaign these crew leaders will be helping to create more and better trail opportunities, as well as inspire volunteer trailwork.
In addition to learning about sustainable trail theory, basic trail construction, and maintenance, each new crew leader learned the importance of effective leadership and how to recruit and work with volunteers. The crew leaders will assist the City by conducting trailwork sessions throughout Toronto's trail network this summer and fall.
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed to find out how you can volunteer on
Toronto's trails: (416) 338-5053 or
Photos courtesy of Aaron Hershoff.
