The Development of the James Cooper Lookout Trail: An Evaluation of Council and Community Cooperation in the Township of Algonquin Highlands

The Development of the James Cooper Lookout Trail: An Evaluation of Council and Community Cooperation in the Township of Algonquin Highlands

Black, Georgia; Scace, Lizzie

Haliburton Highlands Trails and Tours Network
Host contact: Brogden, Peter

Beyers, Chris
Department: International Development Studies

TP-494

2005

U-Links Office and online

Algonquin Highlands

Community Partnership for trail development
Geography 
Recreation & Tourism

This report seeks to record the community and council cooperation during the creation and maintenance of the James Cooper Lookout trail (JCL trail). The JCL trail was made possible via the positive partnership and cooperation between the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the Haliburton Highlands Trails and Tours Network (TTN), and local citizens. This evaluation examines the relationship between the Township and the TTN by documenting and analyzing its achievements as a model for recreational trail development. This evaluation is intended to serve as a model for successful trail development so that other Townships and Municipalities can follow it as a guide for the development of their own recreational hiking and walking trails. We aim to use the example of the JCL trail to show that partnerships between private landowners and public townships can function well, and that hiking and walking trails serve as successful and legitimate income generating investments.

Primarily, the case of the JCL trail shows that the presence of a strong and committed community based organization is vital to the successful creation of recreational trails. Without the support of local organizations, the construction, maintenance and upgrading of recreational trails is both economically and logistically impossible. Secondly, we found that a Town Council who recognizes and values the importance of trail development will be competent and capable to develop successful partnerships with community-based organizations. Town Councils must play the role of mediator between the volunteer base and the public in order to facilitate this cooperation. Thirdly, a community who recognizes the socio-economic benefits of developing recreational trails, especially those in areas that depend upon tourism and seasonally oriented activities, are more likely to house volunteers who are willing to donate their time and resources to community oriented activities, such as trail development and maintenance. Fourthly, landowners whose property is adjacent to public trails need to begin developing more flexible and cooperative attitudes with their local Town Councils. Private property owners have to start granting access to parts of their property to local Town Councils in order to foster the development of recreational trails for the community’s benefit. If not, communities will continue to experience the enclosure of common spaces that has become increasingly common.

Trent University