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For the individual who desires to contribute to recreational snowmobiling a unique opportunity exists to join the Trail Patrol Program. It demands an adventurous spirit and a high degree of personal integrity. You will often deal in unstructured situations that will test your resourcefulness. For further information contact your local district.
Trail Patrol Member's duties and responsibilities are all centered around activity on OFSC Prescribed Trails. Although the program was designed to patrol on open trails, as this is where having a permit is law, patrolling off trail is a valid and sometimes necessary activity. According to the spirit of the Prescribed Snowmobile Trail Land Use Permission, the club has a moral obligation to attend to issues arising from the existence of the trail both before and after the winter months when activities relating to opening, closing, upgrading and maintaining are taking place. Therefore, Trail Patrol Members can patrol on closed trails.
It is illegal to ride on a closed trail on private land, whether or not the sled has a permit. The permit makes riding on a trail legal, only when the trail is open. Therefore, a Trail Patrol Member, as the agent for the landowner, has the authority to lay a Trespass to Property charge on a closed trail even if the sled has a permit on it. The best course of action depends on circumstances, of course. Has the landowner complained of sled activity before the trail is open? Are sledders continuing to ride after repeated warnings from the club? In these cases, laying a charge might be the right action. Keep in mind that the Trail Patrol Member is a snowmobile Ambassador and should do everything in his / her power to build goodwill with riders. An alternative to laying a charge may be to ask the sledder to leave the trail and maybe even issue a warning. Explain the potential dangers and the requirements of club volunteers to prepare the trail properly so it can open as soon as possible.
Although the intent of the program is to sell permits on open trails, as this is where Bill 101 and the MVSA makes having a permit a legal requirement, Trail Patrol Members are not restricted to selling just on trail. They can sell permits at any time or place, on trail and off trail if the rider agrees. However, they only have the 'authority' to sell on the trail (where the permit is a legal requirement). Thanks to Trail Patrollers: |
Trail Patrol Officers are dedicated snowmobile club volunteers who regularly patrol Ontario's snowmobile trails, provide valuable trailside information to snowmobilers and promote the provincial user pay system.
