The South Temiskaming Active Travel Organization (STATO).
Overview of the steps that have been taken by STATO to date:

In April 2004, The South Temiskaming Active Travel Organization (STATO) was formed as a result of community members' interest in promotion and development of an active participative transportation routes through the City of Temiskaming Shores hi-lighting the waterfront.  Dedicated volunteers make up the not-for-profit organization bringing a wide and varied range of experience to the organization.  

STATO's mission statement is "To develop, manage, preserve and promote a system of integrated, year-round, Active Travels in South Temiskaming for non-motorized public use."

The stated objectives of the organization are to:
a)  Develop and oversee a trail system in Temiskaming Shores connecting Dymond, New Liskeard and Haileybury,
b)  Pursue trails development with a focus on environment sustainability and harmony as well as economic self-sufficiency, and
c) Work in partnership with other communities in South Temiskaming and the surrounding regions for the development of a broad network of integrated an interconnected trails.

In November of 2004, STATO submitted an application for funding to the Community in Action Funds.

In February 2005, we have been accepted for a grant from Community in Action Funds to start up our
Project and received $19,800 to conduct the development planning.

In April 2005, STATO hires Sutcliffe Rody Quesnel  as consultant for our project.  SRQ prepares the draft report titled 'From a Dream to a Vision'.  The document identifies a preferred Active Travel corridor as well as SRQ 's recommended conceptual route.

August 8, 2005, the Council of The Corporation of the City of Temiskaming Shores approves, in principle, the process of establishing a multi-use trail/linear park and directs municipal staff to assist the STATO organization with the establishment of multi-use service standards, including, but not limited to way finding, trail profile standards, multi-use criteria and that staff report to Council periodically on the process leading to the implementation and operation of the multi-use trail system.

December 20, 2005, the draft report "From a Dream to a Vision" submitted to the municipality by STATO is accepted by the Council of the City of Temiskaming Shores.  

June 6, 2006, a resolution was carried supporting the Linear Park Program as a new level of service and directing staff to prepare a by-law to confirm the Linear Park Program level of service standard.

June 12, 2006, a by-law to establish a linear park/Active Travel maintenance program for the Corporation of the City of Temiskaming Shores was adopted.

In June of 2006, the Honorable Jim Watson, Minister of Health Promotion announced the intention of the Government of Ontario to initiate a $10million action plan to promote healthy living and eating habits for the Province's residents.  The Healthy Living Action Plan is in response to a 2004 report by Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health which recommended a province-wide effort to resolve health problems associated with obesity.  

The Healthy Living Action Plan is intended to allow the Government of Ontario to act as a catalyst with community groups and not-for-profit groups to work together.

In June of 2006, the Council of the City of Temiskaming Shores determined that a Community Health and Wellness/Health Community Design would be incorporated into the City's new Official Plan Process.  The City Council also initiated the creation of a Volunteer Coalition of local health and wellness practitioners and other community stakeholders.

June 20, 2006, a resolution was carried directing staff to prepare the necessary by-law to enter into a Strategic Alliance Agreement with STATO, and appoint two members of Council as representatives of the Joint Trails Committee.

June 26, 2006, the City of Temiskaming Shores and the not-for-profit STATO entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement.  STATO has initiated community-wide citizens' engagement process, which has incorporated a fundraising goal.  The group will focus its energies in 2007 on fundraising.  The fundraising limits are approximately $1.5million.  

Sustainability for the linear park has been established.  The City of Temiskaming Shores passed a by-law adopting the linear park/water front walkway design concept and authorized the City to commit to the annual maintenance and upkeep of the planned expansion.  The financial contribution from the Municipality to the project is a commitment for the on-going annual maintenance of the walkway/corridor of approximately $30,000 per year.

In February 2007, STATO applied for funding with the Frogsbreath Foundation.  The same month, we found out that Frogsbreath Foundation is not hosting their annual fundraising event.

In February 2007, STATO receives $600,000 from the Ministry of Health Promotions.

Between February and April 2007, STATO representatives have met with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, FedNor, and a local Fundraising Foundation outlining the details of the project and have been encouraged to submit initial applications at their earliest convenience.
The success of the project relies on approval from each branch of the Government, the success of the fund-raising program, and the condition that the municipality will not incur any cost for the capital project.
Applications have been submitted to allow for sufficient time for the review of the applications with the goal of having all funding in place to complete the project.  

February 13th, 2007, Council approves the Waterfront Expansion Terms of Reference stating that STATO is now responsible for fundraising and the Municipality will be responsible for the funding applications as well as construction and maintenance of the trail.

April & May 2007, STATO meets with different consultants who will be submitting their bid for a chance to be the project manager in designing the trail and taking the lead as manger of the project and assistance in the construction. Staff will be working with local consultants to design the park, complete a traffic study, and complete environmental assessments and all surveying.

May 2007, STATO is working at finalizing their sponsorship packages.  

August 2007, STATO hires a project manager.

November 2007, STATO hires a consultant for the first phase of the construction.

December 2007, STATO and the City of Temiskaming Shores are pleased to announce that the initial ground work for the development of an active transportation system from one end of the municipality to the other is underway. Phase one of the project which is located north of City Hall to the Haileybury Beach was staked by local Contractor James Lathem Excavating in mid-November and completion of this phase is set for July of 2008.

2008 will see continuation of the waterfront linear park expansion project.

Construction of the waterfront linear park expansion is recognized as part of the City of Temiskaming Shores' economic development goal of positioning the municipality as a retirement living community and tourist center.  The municipality views the STATO group as being a valuable catalyst to encourage "new tourism" dollars to our community.  The construction of the linear park expansion will not only provide leisure opportunities for the inhabitants and visitors to the community, it is also regarded as a determinant of public health.  

Health promoters recognize increased physical activity by all age groups as a factor of lowering incidences of chronic disease.  This park will become a destination for tourists looking for a healthy alternative to get-a-ways in the urban centres.

STATO has been and continues to be active lobbying local interest in the project and fundraising.  To date we have raised over $15,000 in membership only (new & renewal).  The cost of a membership of $10 per person.  The $10 membership is a great way for you (the community) to show your support towards our project. It is also a great way of fundraising. Furthermore, it is a big proof of community support when added on our funding application.  Community Support is a very important criteria.

STATO has also held many fundraising events, including an annual dinner/fashion show, annual amazing race, a walk-run-bike event, annual fishing derby, a sausage drive, a pond hockey tournament, a membership drive, annual chilly lunch, a chilly run, annual golf tournament, a human auction, a diva show, some walking and family biking events, and several other, raising over $372,000 locally thus far.  The momentum is building in the community for the development of the waterfront linear park, as part of STATO's active transportation plan.  

The benefits of constructing and maintaining the Temiskaming Shores Waterfront Linear Park Expansion will include, but are not limited to the following attributes.  The project will link many of the regional attractions that we have been building on in the past few years.  For example, there will be a corridor of park land from the northern part of the Township of Dymond to the southern tip of Haileybury with a vision to link to Cobalt, along the shore of Lake Temiskaming along Dawson Point Road and into the Province of Quebec.  Planning into the future could ultimately mean a natural waterfront expansion that circles Lake Temiskaming in its entirety.  Tourist attractions and retail businesses along the waterfront will be linked not only by highway/roadway but also by a walkway parkland area. the steps that have been taken by STATO to get where we are today.