Mission
To encourage walking, hiking and trail development in Ontario.
Vision
Hike Ontario is the province’s most valuable support resource for hiking and walking groups and pedestrian trail users.
Organizational Summary
Hike Ontario acts as the voice for over 9 million hikers and walkers in Ontario.
While Hike Ontario recognizes the diversity of trails and trail uses, our focus is on the representation and promotion of pedestrian based trails and their benefits, focusing specifically on:
- Connectivity
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental
- Health
- Heritage
- Recreation
- Transportation
Hike Ontario is the umbrella organization that provides these province-wide associations with resources and services to build on these long-established local and regional initiatives in a way in which complements and enhances them.
Governance Structure
Hike Ontario is governed by a board of directors that meets four times per year at various locations across Ontario. Our board consists of 23 people. Eight Directors at Large and Fifteen Trail Club Representatives.
The executive committee of the board meets once a month. The executive consists of President, Vice President, Past President, Treasurer and Secretary and the Chairs of each standing committee.
Objectives
- Encourage walking for recreation, transportation and health
- Provide courses in introductory safe hiking and hike leadership in both wilderness and non-wilderness settings to people of all ages
- Support and facilitate trail development for walking and hiking throughout Ontario
- Enable good trail maintenance and hiking practices and the enhancement and quality of the walking experience
- Encourage and facilitate the development of trail building hiking clubs in Ontario
- Advocate for a club or clubs when requested or when an initiative is deemed necessary
- Promote education and research into the health benefits and other aspects of recreational walking
- Encourage conservation and appreciation of the natural environment
- Maintain and disseminate information on hiking and hiking trails
Strategic Plan
Our five strategic directions are to:
- Build a sustainable organization;
- Create value for members and non-members alike;
- Develop and deliver programs for all stakeholders;
- Promote hiking and walking and pedestrian trails;
- Develop effective organization and systems.