May 2000

Issue

Minor amendment to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Management Plan to provide an east/west, shared-use trail link from the Cliff Top Trail to the 1st Line of Mono.

Purpose

The purpose of this east/west trail link is to allow local park access for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing and is not intended to be seen or used as an alternate parking or access area. The park entrance is and will continue to be from the 3rd Line EHS, Town of Mono.

Location

The proposed trail would enter the park midway on the closed portion of the 1st line EHS, between 20th sideroad and 25th sideroad (see attached map.) The trail leads from this point along an old (abandoned) farm lane to join McCarston’s Lake Trail. Following McCarston’s Lake Trail to the east will provide access to the Cliff Top Trail (shared-use), the park’s existing trail system and special features.

Background

The proposed trail will be on an old farm lane that had been traditionally used to access Mono Cliffs since the land was acquired in the early 1970's. Local residents had used it in the same way the other three remote access points are used. These remote access points are located where the old parking lots had been prior to the spring of 1999. At these points local hikers, bikers, and horseback riders are allowed "walk in" access, as no parking is available. With the addition of the proposed trail there will be access for local people on all sides of the park.

Closing the "traditional" trail in the west has been an ongoing struggle for park managers, Town of Mono Council and local interest groups. The local Mono Hills Saddle Club was one of the main users of this trail in the past. With the trail closing in 1999, members had concerns of not being able to access the park unless they were willing to ride along municipal roads, to the north or south walk-in gates. Opening this former trail in cooperation with the Town of Mono Council and the Saddle Club is the "best option" in terms of providing outstanding recreational opportunities, and enhancing partnerships. Using the old farm lane for this trail will ensure Ontario Parks' protection mandate is maintained.

Trail use

The proposed trail would be a shared-use trail allowing hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Use on the portion of McCarston’s Lake Trial, that connects the proposed trail to the Cliff Top Trail, would be changed from hiking only to shared-use to accommodate this new access.

Conditions

It is proposed that the Mono Saddle Club enter into an agreement with Ontario Parks to assist in the maintenance and monitoring of the access trail. Implicit in the agreement will be the understanding that no other new trails are created and that off trail use will not occur. To ensure that parking problems do not happen on the 1st Line EHS, the Town of Mono has agreed to post the area as a "no parking" area and to enact and enforce the necessary by-laws.

Approval statement

This minor amendment to the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Management Plan is approved to provide an east/west, shared-use trail link from the Cliff Top Trail to the 1st Line of Mono.

Signed by:
Park Superintendent
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Date: June 12, 2000

Zone Manager
Southwestern Zone

Date: June 15, 2000

Prepared by:
Keith Early
Assistant Park Superintendent
May 2000

Figure 3: Proposed Development at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

This map shows detailed information about the Proposed development in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park.

Enlarge Figure 3: Proposed Development at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park