THIS ACTIVEDAYS TRIP IS ORGANIZED BY THE ACTIVEDAYS COMMUNITY. SEE ALL ACTIVEDAYS TRIPS AND JOIN US VIA OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!

Parkbus and Active Days are venturing outdoors for an accessible hiking event. We will be heading to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area- a gorgeous location containing forests, meadows, rivers and unique geological formations. The Dundas Valley lies within Hamilton, but you would never know it. There is a 450 million year old geologic history here and we will be travelling through the biodiverse Carolinian Forest that can be found nowhere else in Canada.

ACCESSIBLE HIKE

This hike is open to people of ALL abilities whether you use a wheelchair, a walker or are just interested in walking an accessible trail. In the spirit of community this hike has several intentions:

1) To provide access to new experiences and support to those who wish to take them on and

2) To bring together people across all differences to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors with each other.

We'll be chartering an accessible bus that can accommodate both wheelchair and ambulatory passengers. The Dundas Valley Trail Centre has an accessible washroom and there are a variety of trails that can suit different hiking needs. Both trails can be lengthened and shortened to suit individual needs.

As always with ActiveDays, participants are invited into community by spending the day sharing the trail together. This could look like walking with a new friend with a wheelchair, encouraging each other through difficult legs of trail or quietly wandering at your own pace. Most of all we hope that this hike gives people the opportunity to see from a new perspective.

WHEN REGISTERING PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH MOBILITY DEVICE YOU ARE USING.

SUPPORT PEOPLE

Parkbus will NOT be supplying support staff. Please make sure if you are required to have a support that you bring them along- please bring supporting documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: SUPPORT PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL FOR FREE ON THIS TRIP. IF YOU ARE A SUPPORT PERSON ACCOMPANYING ANOTHER PERSON WITH A DISABILITY, PLEASE CONTACT CARLY@PARKBUS.CA for a code.

TRAILS

The Main Trail Loop is hilly but in good condition. It is a compact gravel trail. Devices need to be able handle rough trails and support persons need to be able to push wheelchairs uphill and slow them down coming down hill.

There is also the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail which is level, flat and straight.

DAY SCHEDULE

9:00am - Tour of Mountain Equipment Co-op new Accessible Store

10:00am - Depart MEC 300 Queen Street West

11:15am - Arrive Dundas Valley and start hike

12:30pm - LUNCH! Lunch is not provided. Please pack something to eat along the trail.

1:00pm-3:15 pm: Continue the hike

3:30 pm - departure to Toronto

WHAT TO BRING

Lunch and snacks (litter free if possible)

Comfortable footwear

Water (at least 1.5L)

Medications

Weather appropriate clothing- we recommend layers that you can take off if you get hot and add if you get chilly

Hat and sunscreen

Bug spray

Camera

Binoculars (optional)

Whatever else you need to have fun on the trail :)

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ACTIVEDAYS

To us, facilitating this event is about creating an environment that you can engage with in your own way. This is your experience and everyone has their own relationship with the outdoors and their bodies. We want to meet you where you are at — you can take part in the group hike, or spend your time exploring nature on your own.

Active Days is also a community. This is an inclusive space to meet new people, share stories and have fun! To us, there is no better place to get to know someone than the outdoors. We all share a desire to get out, explore and move.

All ActiveDays participants are required to sign a waiver. We will bring printed copies of the waiver to sign on the bus. You can find a digital copy of a sample waiver HERE

ActiveDays is made possible with the support of our partners Mountain Equipment Coop