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Rainbow Routes Association

Rainbow Routes Association (RRA) is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization and registered charity. The organization is dedicated to sustainable mobility through the development and promotion of active transportation routes in the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and is the local representative for the Trans Canada Trail.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/participate/ |title=Rainbow Routes :: About Us |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006041923/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/participate/ |archive-date=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead }}

Incorporated in 1998, Rainbow Routes has built recreational and commuter routes—200 kilometres winding throughout the city—for residents and tourists to enjoy by walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbawards.ca/Winners/2011/sportsAndRecreation.asp |title=Community Builders Awards of Excellence |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827145028/http://www.cbawards.ca/Winners/2011/sportsAndRecreation.asp |archive-date=2011-08-27 |url-status=dead }} They provide free trail maps that are available throughout Greater Sudbury at tourist information centres, libraries and at their website.{{Cite web | url=http://www.sudburytourism.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=413%3Arainbow-routes-association&catid=93%3Asummerfall-fresh-air-fun-hiking&Itemid=259&lang=en | title=Tourism Sudbury - Discover Sudbury, ON }}

This organization maintains a legal agreement with the city to build non-motorized trails, renewable every five years.

The 2016-2020 Strategic Plan for the organization identifies high level priorities in:

  1. Infrastructure development of non-motorized routes and trails;
  2. Promotion of routes, active transportation and sustainable mobility;
  3. Partnerships and collaborations to identify needs and maximize opportunities;
  4. Sustainable operations with a strong volunteer network.

Accomplishments

=Trail Construction=

Recent:

  • construction of the Riverside Pocket Park {{Cite web |url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/09/27/pocket-park-takes-shape |title='Pocket park' takes shape | Sudbury Star |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-date=2014-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006164652/http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/09/27/pocket-park-takes-shape |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/connecting-people-and-places-242822|title=Connecting people and places|website=Sudbury.com|date=22 September 2012 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}
  • refurbishment of the Lily Creek Boardwalk {{Cite web |url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/06/16/lily-creek-boardwalk-back-on-track |title=Lily Creek boardwalk back on track | Sudbury Star |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231009/http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/06/16/lily-creek-boardwalk-back-on-track |url-status=dead }}{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/lily-creek-boardwalk-renovations-underway-1.1192052| title = Lily creek boardwalk renovations underway {{!}} CBC News}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/09/14/rebuilt-boardwalk-open-to-users |title=Rebuilt boardwalk open to users | Sudbury Star |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053613/http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/09/14/rebuilt-boardwalk-open-to-users |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_XRA0hHKg|title=Lily Creek Boardwalk reopens - Sudbury News|access-date=November 14, 2019|via=www.youtube.com}}
  • completion of the Ramsey Lake Path (2 km paved path){{Cite web |url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/routes/science-north-to-bethel-lake/ |title=Rainbow Routes :: Ramsey Lake Path |access-date=2012-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806145532/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/routes/science-north-to-bethel-lake/ |archive-date=2010-08-06 |url-status=dead }}

From June 24, 2005 to June 25, 2009; Rainbow Routes accomplished the following:http://www.greatersudbury.ca/agendas/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=28&id=203

  • construction of Bell Park bike path {{Cite web|url=http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/bell-park-bike-path|title=Bell Park Bike Path | Ontario Trails Council|website=www.ontariotrails.on.ca|access-date=November 14, 2019}}
  • upgrading of Voyageur trail to a four-season trail (5 km)
  • construction of Kelly Lake trail (5 km)
  • construction of the Garson Park trail (2 km)
  • construction of Selkirk trail extension (2 km)
  • construction of the Bethel Lake boardwalk
  • completion of Bethel Lake trail (2 km)
  • completion of Sagebrush to Maley Drive section of the Junction Creek Waterway Park (1 km)
  • development of the Copper Cliff trail (2 km)
  • construction of Langdon Park trail (1 km)
  • development of the Robinson Lake trail/boardwalk (completion in 2009)

=Programs=

== Explore Sudbury ==

Explore Sudbury is the RRA's latest initiative towards healthy living and Greater Sudbury's urban transformation. Started in January 2017, the volunteer-driven program offers guided urban hikes of all sorts, geared to participants of all ages in the City of Greater Sudbury. All urban hikes are free of charge and promoted as a way to discover Sudbury's people and places.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/explore-sudbury|title=EXPLORE Sudbury|website=Rainbow Routes Association|access-date=November 14, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715041056/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/explore-sudbury/|url-status=dead}}

==Rainbow Routes Hike Club ==

The Rainbow Routes Hike Club was formed to provide an opportunity for people to explore local routes in a safe, friendly environment. Hikes are generally two hours long and range in difficulty from easy to challenging. Each month a new trail is selected in order to provide a sampling of the trails in the City. Hikes run on the first Saturday of each month between October and June from 10am to noon.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/volunteer/hike-club/ |title=Rainbow Routes :: Hike Club |access-date=2012-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027025354/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/volunteer/hike-club |archive-date=2012-10-27 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediacoop.ca/blog/grassrootssudburymedia/8250|title=MEDIA RELEASE: Rainbow Routes Hike Club|website=www.mediacoop.ca| date=28 September 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}

==Sudbury Cycles Project==

The goal of this project is to establish the conditions necessary to make cycling safe for and accessible to Greater Sudburians of all ages, abilities and incomes thus creating a more active and healthy community with fewer cycling injuries.{{cite web |url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/sudburycycles/ |title=Rainbow Routes :: Sudbury Cycles |access-date=2012-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006042005/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/sudburycycles/ |archive-date=2012-10-06 }}

The project was made possible through funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotionhttp://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/sport/hcf_program/2011-ApprovedGrants-Local.pdf {{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and partnerships with the Sudbury & District Health Unit, City of Greater Sudbury and the Social Planning Council of Sudbury .

==Sustainable Mobility Plan==

In 2010, the organization took the lead on the development of a Sustainable Mobility Plan for the city of Greater Sudbury which emphasizes the importance of walking and cycling for the purpose of personal transportation and not just for leisure.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/become-a-member/members-1/Rainbow%20Routes%20Association |title=Rainbow Routes Association | Ontario Trails Council |website=www.ontariotrails.on.ca |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101123916/http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/become-a-member/members-1/Rainbow%20Routes%20Association |archive-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead}} In response to a request from the City of Greater Sudbury Healthy Community Cabinet, a partnership was formed between City staff the Sudbury & District Health Unit, The greater Sudbury Social Planning Council, YMCA Sudbury the Sudbury Regional Hospital and Rainbow Routes Association. Through this partnership, funding was secured from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion to develop a Sustainable Mobility Plan for Greater Sudbury.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysudbury.ca/hcgs |title=Healthy Community Strategy and Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) |website=www.mysudbury.ca |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005010055/http://www.mysudbury.ca/hcgs |archive-date=5 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}

The concept of sustainable mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move freely within

their communities, and it generally refers to non-motorized modes of transportation. The

Sustainable Mobility Plan (SMP) for the City of Greater Sudbury is anticipated to move the

community forward in terms of active transportation strategies and initiatives. With a focus on

low income populations the plan will examine the mobility of individuals and the impact

mobility has on our health, our environment, and our economy.{{cite web |url=http://hosting.mysudbury.ca/hcgs/pdf/susplan.pdf |title=Sustainable Mobility Plan for the City of Greater Sudbury |date=June 2010 |access-date=2024-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224064759/http://hosting.mysudbury.ca/hcgs/pdf/susplan.pdf |archive-date=2012-12-24 }}

==Learning through Trails==

From 2007, Rainbow Routes Association developed the Learning through Trails program which is an innovative program that integrates the Ontario Ministry of Education elementary curriculum with the physical activity of a trail walk. Close to 2700 students and hundreds of educators and volunteers have participated in the program since its inception. Survey responses indicate that over 96% of students enjoyed their experience and 93% would recommend it to other classes. 100% of educators indicated that they had a positive experience and would recommend the program to their colleagues.{{cite web |url=http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/volunteer/learn/learning-through-trails/ |title=Rainbow Routes :: Learning Through Trails |access-date=2012-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201044133/http://www.rainbowroutes.com/index.php/volunteer/learn/learning-through-trails/ |archive-date=2013-02-01 }}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{official|http://www.rainbowroutes.com/}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20121224064759/http://hosting.mysudbury.ca/hcgs/pdf/susplan.pdf Sustainable Mobility Plan for the City of Greater Sudbury]

Category:Organizations based in Greater Sudbury

Category:Sustainable transport