The Active Trails Sudbury program was launched in June 2018 with a vision of developing a set of helpful tools and fun activities to engage our community members to get active outdoors in a self-guided and explorative way.

With over 30 official RRA trails offering more than 100 km of urban and rural hiking opportunities, in addition to numerous unmarked neighbourhood trails, we are at no shortage of beautiful green spaces to explore. And yet, there was still a gap in connecting our community to these local gems.

The program focused on finding solutions to this problem by making trail improvements, creating new trail infrastructure, developing web-based tools, designing unique trail guides, and hosting interactive trail-based activities and challenges.

Highlights

The Challenge

The RRA Trail Challenge series invited participants to get active on as many local trails as possible with hopes of winning cool prizes.

THE STATS

6 Challenges - 4 Seasons - 325 Registered participants - 973 Trail based activities

Sudbury Camino Passport

The Sudbury Camino Passport is a self-guided tool that helps direct trail users along a 30km segment of the Great Trail in Greater Sudbury. The passport redesign focused on providing clear directions and highlighting attractions along the route.

Kids on trails guide

The Kids on Trails guide was created to help inspire children and their families to explore the outdoors! This guide introduces popular RRA trails and highlights interesting nature-based activities that will get kids excited about the exploration of their natural surroundings.

Tales from the trails

Tales from the Trails is an elegant collection of nature based stories, photography, poetry and local trail maps. This book was published by RRA to help people discover the history behind some of our most celebrated trails, and enjoy some of the most sought after and scenic views captured by local trail blazers and outdoor enthusiasts. This colourful and dynamic book will leave people excited to get outdoors to explore the trails.

Innovative

Find Your Trail is a web-based tool designed following an extensive examination and classification of the RRA trail network. This tool helps trail users pick the most suitable trails based on their needs and interests.

Advancements

The virtual map was revamped to create a more user-friendly product. The RRA online map now includes trails identified by colours, improved trail details, and easier navigation.

Improvements

Trail pages feature improved trail details, photography and trail specific maps.

Stats

Through Active Trails Sudbury, focus has also been placed on social media and website analytics and advancements to foster growth and improved engagement with the community. This has resulted in significant growth on all social media platforms and a better understanding of our audience.

INCREASES

Facebook | 55%

Instagram | 122%

Twitter | 20%

Unique Website Visitors | 42%

Newsletter Subscribers | 51%

Trail enhancements

The Active Trails Sudbury program facilitated a variety of trail enhancements including accessibility upgrades, design and installation of a custom-made bench, play based features and new trail signage.

New

The RRA Tshirts and hoodies were produced showcasing a thoughtfully designed logo to increase the Association’s visibility in the community and to encourage an appreciation for our local trail network. Designed by local illustrator, Kat Perkovic, this work of art reflects the RRA trail network and its trail users.

Program awareness

Rain, shine or freezing temperatures, trail and program awareness was always a priority.

Financial supporters & Partners:

Active Trails Sudbury is funded in part by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport / Ontario Sports and Recreation Community Fund.

Program Partners and Contributors:

The Parkside Centre
Collège Boréal
City of Greater Sudbury Tourism & Culture
Greater Sudbury Public Library
CNIB
Reading Town Sudbury
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
Laurentian University
Ramakkos Source for Adventure
Adventure 365
Sessions Ride Company
The Great Trail
Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Sudbury 4-H
Ranger Debb Photography
True North Drone 74
Volunteer Sudbury