The Natural Environment Trail Strategy (NETS) represents the first phase of system wide planning for 300 kilometres of informal, natural environment trails, which, until now, has been managed on a piece-meal basis. The Strategy represents a shift in natural area management philosophy that recognizes that building better, sustainable trails with a light footprint can be a more effective solution than attempting to limit all public access. This approach provides a greater sense of community ownership, increased awareness and opportunities for environmental protection, and increased access to nature, low cost recreation and interpretation opportunities. NETS underpins all future planning, design and management of trails in natural parkland and ravine ecosystems across the City of Toronto.
