News | 2020

Trails Closed – Thanks for a Great Riding Season (12/1/2020)
Almost as if on cue the snow is here and the trails are now closed and respectfully handed over to the snowmobile clubs and their members for their riding season.
Please respect our snowmobile trail partners and stay off of the trails. This includes the Somerville Forest and the 5 Points as our land use agreements do not include winter riding.
If you’re looking for some place to ride this winter remember that your KATVA pass allows you access to winter trails at the Lake of Bays ATV Club and Quad Niagara ATV Club. If you have any questions about their trails message them directly through their Facebook pages.
For those of you in the Kawartha’s and Haliburton County there is also some really great winter riding at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. This is a private business so your KATVA and HATVA passes are not recognized there but their trails are worth taking the drive and buying a day pass. Check them out at https://www.haliburtonforest.com/
Annual Memberships Good for 12 Months (11/18/2020)

This is just a reminder that KATVA trail permits are good for 12 months from the date of purchase so you can still buy them now and they are good until this time next year. Our trail permits are recognized on the following trail systems:

  • Kawartha ATV Association
  • Algonquin West ATV Club
  • Lake of Bays ATV Club
  • Haliburton ATV Association
  • Quad Niagara

If you’re looking for winter trails our sister clubs Lake of Bays and Quad Niagara have groomed winter trails.

Opening Roads Study – Master Plan :: County of Peterborough (11/18/2020)

The County of Peterborough’s Transportation Master Plan Update and Off-Road Vehicle Study

The County is seeking your feedback to help better understand the different needs between active transportation users (i.e., pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) and ORV users, and help to further refine areas of concern or opportunity.

Here’s a summary of how this study affects Kawartha ATV trails:

  • North Kawartha: If the county were to open Cty Rd 36 & 49, that would coincide with our current project to open roads in Bobcaygeon and would allow riders access to gas and food in Bobcaygeon when they are coming out of the 5 Points trails. It would also allow users to rent a cottage or cabin anywhere from Bobcaygeon to Buckhorn and then ride to the trails in the 5 Points.
  • South Kawartha: County Roads 10 & 21 are key roads if we manage to open up some of the municipal roads in Cavan Township. Again, this would assist us with our goal to gain access to food and gas for our riders and allow the possibility of connections to the other trail systems such as Northumberland Forest and the Ganaraska Forest.

Show Your Support to Open Roads (11/2/2020)

**UPDATE**

Attention all residents of Cavan Township:
If you live in Cavan Township please take note that the public meeting for road use in the township has been scheduled.
This meeting will be a virtual meeting and will take place Monday November 30th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.. Anyone wishing to speak must register by November 23, 2020. Speakers are limited to residents of the Cavan Ward in the Township of Cavan Monaghan and each individual will be given a 3 minute time slot.
If you do not wish to speak but would like to provide comment please click on the link below and submit comments via one of the below listed methods:
  • Online comment form
  • email to orv@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Download and complete a comment form and return to the Township Office at 988 County Road 10, Millbrook, ON L0A 1G0
Comments will be received up to December 4, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. As always, please keep your comments positive and respectful of everyone involved.
Please note: your comments will be summarized into a Staff Report to Council and as such, will be part of a public record. No names will be included in the report. If you are unable to attend the public meeting you can view it on the Township’s Youtube Channel either live or after the date.
Please share this so that we reach all residents in Cavan Township.
***  *** ***

Mayor: Scott McFadden

  • Email: smcfadden@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Phone: 705-201-1026
  • Text: 705-772-0360

Deputy Mayor: Mathew Graham

  • Email: mgraham@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Phone: (705) 418-1628
  • Text: (705) 418-1628

Cavan Ward Councillor: Cathy Moore

  • Email: cmoore@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Phone: (705) 760-3554
  • Text: (705) 760-3554

Millbrook Ward Councillor: Ryan Huntley

  • Email: rhuntley@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Phone: (705) 932-2757
  • Text: (705) 760-1476

North Monaghan Ward Councillor: Tim Belch

  • Email: tbelch@cavanmonaghan.net
  • Phone: (705) 742-3185
  • Text: (705) 741-6976

No photo description available.

City of Kawartha Lakes to form Task Force Committee (10/22/2020)

It’s only the first step but it’s a big step! This week in council the City of Kawartha Lakes councilors voted unanimously in support of forming a task force committee regarding off road vehicle (ORV) use on municipal roads across Kawartha Lakes. We have asked the councilors to look at opening up more roads in the municipality to help us connect the villages and communities to the trails. This is the first time in our history that the council has unanimously voted in support of ORV’s and taken so many big steps forward in recognizing the value of off road vehicles to the local economy. They have seen and continue to recognize the positive contributions we as a club have made to the community as a whole in not only the management and maintenance of the trails but also the education of the riders and our members. They not only recognize the tourism benefits from visitors to the trails but they are listening to the residents who have made it clear that they want to be able to ride their ATVs and SxS to the trails from their homes and cottages. This is a great opportunity so please do your part in assisting us by riding responsibly and respecting the local residents and landowners. Thank you again to council for taking this step forward with us. Thank you to council for being open minded and willing to move forward and a special thank you to councilor Tracy Richardson​ and KATVA President Carolyn Graham Richards​ for the countless hours they have put into spearheading this project. We look forward to seeing the outcome in time for the 2021 riding season.

ATVs on road sign

Reaching Us (10/19/2020)
KATVA and KORMA have grown so much over this last year that we found it necessary to add a second phone and a new person to our team to help with the work load.
You can reach someone with your questions as follows:
Carolyn Richards, President – 705-328-0931
Rhonda White, Office Coordinator – 705-328-4482
Membership inquires – contact us here
Trail inquiries – email us at contact us here or contact Carolyn
All other general inquiries- contact us here or contact Rhonda and she will forward the information or refer you to the appropriate person
You can call or text these numbers but please remember that we all have other full time jobs and can’t always get back to you right away.
One Step Closer to Opening Roads (10/19/2020)

We’re one step closer to making this a reality. Our president Carolyn Richards has been working hard behind the scenes with councilors to look at opening more roads in the City of Kawartha Lakes when Bill 107 takes effect January 1st, 2021 and setting up a task force would be a great next step. It opens the door to valuable collaborative discussions between councilors, municipal staff, law enforcement, other stakeholders and our club, giving everyone a chance to voice their opinions and come up with recommendations for council to consider and vote on. Our team has been working on opening more roads for a number of years now and we can honestly say that this current council has been the most honest and open-minded council we’ve ever worked with. We’ll keep you informed on our progress as much as we can.

Dream of off-roading on more Kawartha Lakes roads stutters, stalls

Trail 50 closed to all but landowners from Oct 1st – May 1st (10/4/2020)

Reminder to all…Trail 50 is now closed to all ATVs , UTVs, and dirt bikes!! This is private property used for hunting. Please respect the landowners rights to their property!!

K9ine Security on KATVA Trails (9/29/2020)
     
Did you get a chance to meet Apollo this past weekend? If you were riding in the 5 Points this weekend you may have been lucky enough to meet Apollo in your travels. He had a great time on our trails hanging out and enjoying the scenery.
Apollo and his human friends have recently begun patrolling our trails in the 5 Points to help keep the trails safe for all users. They’re working on behalf of KATVA and all the private landowners making sure that motorized users have the appropriate trail permits and they are there to answer any questions riders may have. They have assisted some riders with paper maps and navigating the Polaris Ride Command app as well. If you see them this weekend be sure to give Apollo extra pets for being such a good boy!
Contest Time – Help Name our Property! (9/28/2020)
It’s time for another contest and We want your help!
We want to give our property a real name that reflects our trails and our members, and we’re looking to our members for ideas. If we choose your idea then your next membership renewal is on us! If more than one person suggests the same name we will do a random draw from those entries to choose a winner. You must be a current KATVA member to participate.
Remember, the trails on our property are for ATVs, dirt bikes, jeeps and sleds so let’s make sure the name reflects the best inclusive trail system in southern Ontario!
The contest closes November 1st!
Send your ideas to secretary.kawarthaatv@gmail.com
Image may contain: text that says 'KATVA PROPERTY'
Hunting Season Starts – Trail 50 Closed to All (9/17/2020)

As hunting season approaches please remember that as of October 1st KATVA trail #50 will be closed to all motorized users. The is at the request of the multiple landowners on that trail who made this a condition of allowing us to keep a trail through their property and we completely respect their request. This is the trail that goes from the 5 points to Crystal Lake Rd and connects with the village of Kinmount. Please respect our landowners and stay off this trail as of October 1st until the trails reopen next spring.

Each individual should verify the hunting season dates for their specific areas. The hunting season dates for those areas including our trails are as follows:

Bear

  • September 1 – November 30

Moose

  • Rife, Shotgun, etc: October 24 – 30

Deer

  • Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzle Loader and Bow: November 2 to 15
  • Black Powder: November 30 –  December 6
  • Bow only: October 1 – November 1, November 16 – 29, December 7 – 31

 

CASI ATV Safety Training Course (9/9/2020)

***Update …our course is fully booked, if you are still interested let us know and we’ll put you on the wait list in case of a cancellation or for the next course***

KATVA is offering a one day CASI ATV Safety Training Course! This course is available for youths ages 12-17 and adults who want to become CASI certified. This is a great chance for new, young, inexperienced or experienced riders to learn or brush up on their skills for safe ATVing! The day will consist of in-class lessons as well as hands on training. This is a Canada wide recognized training program! Don’t miss your chance!
Cost for the course is $85.00 for youth and $125 for adults, current members receive an additional 15% savings for themselves, their children and their grandchildren.
Register today so you don’t miss your chance! Spaces are limited! To register, please email our training coordinator Don Chapman at chapcer@nexicom.net

New Gates on VRTC (9/9/2020)
Please note that the City of Kawartha Lakes has started installing the first of many gates to be put up to control the size of ATVs and SxS allowed on the trails as well as keep cars and trucks off of the trails. The first set of gates installed this week was just north of Superior Propane.
As we’ve said since the beginning of the pilot project the maximum width allowed on the VRTC and Somerville Forest is 64 inches and they are going to start enforcing this width moving forward. The gate opening is 68 inches so even if your machine came from the manufacturer at 64 inches and you modify it beyond that you won’t be able to use the trails. The fine for having an unauthorized motor vehicle on the trail is $400. Do not drive around the gates as that is causing damage and will jeopardize the pilot project for SxS that ends this fall.
If you are parking at Superior staging area and have a larger machine your only option is the 5 points trails and you can drive up Cty Rd 121 to get to the 3rd Concession and then cut across to the 5 points. The same restrictions don’t apply to our trails in the 5 points although some trails are a tight fit for the larger machines.
5 Club Rides Planned for September and October – you must pre-register (9/1/2020)

We have planned a few (5) club led rides for September and October. We have to ask everyone to pre-register for the rides – all of them are restricted in number – please check out the rode level and only register for the ride if you match the criteria. In all cases, the rides are limited to specific numbers – which we cannot exceed – so register early if you want to be sure of a place on the ride. Pre-register at katva.ca – register for a ride. You will receive an email late in the week before to inform you where to meet and what time and what to bring.
The rides are 1) a new member/beginner ride (limited to 2 groups of 20);
2) a night ride in the 5-points (expert ride) limited to 20;
3) A ladies Ride – limited to 20 intermediate level
4) A SxS only ride – limited to 20 intermediate and expert – no beginners
5) end of season ride to Haliburton – limited to 2 groups of 20 – beginner and intermediate levels.

All rides will follow strict COVID Protocols – social distancing and masks when not riding.

Pre-Register at KATVA.CA !!!!!

Restricted Access – VRT South of Northline Rd (8/3/2020)

Just a reminder that SxS are not allowed on the Victoria Rail Trail south of Northline Road. If you are trying to get into Fenelon Falls you can legally leave the trail at Northline Road and follow the roads into town. City staff will be posting these signs along the trail as a reminder for SxS to stay off of the trail.

VRT – Kinmount – Storm/Tornado Damage Cleaned Up (8/3/2020)

The Victoria Rail Trail in the area of Kinmount is re-opened after being closed due to trees blocking it from August 2nd’s tornado. 

A big thank you to our Volunteers for their quick and thorough work!  Great job!

 

KATVA Presents Burnt River Fire Station with SxS (8/3/2020)
On July 30, 2020, on behalf of Kawartha ATV Association and Kawartha Off Road Motorcycle Association, the KATVA Team was honoured to present the City of Kawartha Lakes Burnt River Fire Station with a 2020 Polaris Ranger 1000 SxS to add to their Emergency Response Fleet.
The Burnt River hall is the responding fire station for the Somerville Forest and the VRTC north of Fenelon Falls. This is a volunteer fire hall and they play an important roll in the safety on our trails. This unit was dedicated in memory of John and Sandy Blackmore who were long time volunteers of the fire station and of KATVA. We were lucky enough to have John and Sandy’s 4 daughters in attendance to say a few words.
Mark Lowell of Log Chateau Park, who is also a volunteer firefighter in Burnt River accepted the unit on behalf of the fire station. The rest of the community including the KLSC, Tow-All Inc. and the Burnt River Bullies baseball team came together and raised funds to outfit the unit with a much needed stretcher kit for carrying out injured persons from the trails.
A special thank you goes out to the KATVA board of directors for their dedication to the communities of Burnt River and Kinmount and to the safety of ALL trail users. Thanks also goes to Spoiled Sports in Bowmanville and Polaris for giving us such a great deal on this unit and KATVA director Bob Kish for the time he put into making this happen.

 

Garnet Graham Park to Northline Rd, Fenelon Falls (7/27/2020)

Important Notice!

The speed limit on the Victoria Rail Trail from Garnet Graham Park in Fenelon Falls to Northline Road is 20km per hour.

The Victoria Rail Trail is a shared-use trail system that we are privileged to use.  It is not a right, and as such, we can lose it.  It is up all ATV riders to know and follow the speed limit and show respect for other users on the trail.

Specifically, the section of trail from Garnet Graham Park to Northline Road in Fenelon Falls sees a lot of use from motorized and non-motorized enthusiasts alike. We must all be respectful of each other’s right to use the trail – no speeding, minimize dust, pull off to the side to let others pass, etc.

Not only is this section of trail one of the nicest, most scenic sections of the VRT, it is an important link to Fenelon Falls.  Without it, riders would have to do the long ride on the roads from Northline Rd down into Fenelon Falls.  This will especially affect those who have kids who ride their own machines as they will not be able to get to town any longer.

So please, no speeding and show respect for other users.  You risk receiving a fine or worse, and the club risks losing the trail.

VRT Temporary Closure – Mount Horeb Rd to Crosswind Rd (7/22/2020)
Please be advised that drainage work is scheduled to take place on Thursday July 23rd along the Victoria Rail Trail Corridor. This work will require the closure of the trail between Mount Horeb Road and Crosswind Road in Ops Township.
Signage of the closure will be posted at the intersections of Mount Horeb Rd and the Victoria Rail Trail Corridor and Crosswind Rd and the Victoria Rail Trail Corridor.
The trail will be closed in this section between 8am and 1pm in order to complete the required work.
Forest Fire in 5PTS – Use Caution (7/10/2020)
Forest Fire Alert! Please take note that a forest fire has started in the 5 points trail system between KATVA trails 44 and 54 southeast St. Croix Lake and north of the fire access road. This is an incredibly large area so the fire is apparently not affecting the trails at the moment but please use extreme caution as it can spread very quickly with the current dry conditions. Also watch for heavy equipment and firefighters on the trails as they work their way in to access the area affected.
As of July 10th, the fire is “Being Held” which means it hasn’t spread beyond the controlled boundaries set by the fire crews. Caution is still required.
The fire is believed to have started from lightning on July 8th.