Our Story

Personal and environmental wellness has become a more important and widely discussed topic than ever as the bulk of Canadians are reaching an age where good health is a priority, and as childhood obesity and inactivity become a recognized societal problem. In June 2003, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health declared a “Call to Action on Physical Activity” in an effort to instigate a culture of wellness in Canada’s largest city.

The Toronto Trails Festival took the lead to join with the City of Toronto to encourage Torontonians to enjoy the health and social benefits of walking on the world-class system of trails that exist in Toronto. In partnership with the City of Toronto, Momentum 1 - Community In Motion developed the Toronto Trails Festival and on Sunday September 21, 2003 they took Toronto for a walk with the very first annual celebration of the joys of walking.

The first Toronto Trails Festival was a great success and as a result of the overwhelming positive response from participants, the initial Toronto Trails Festival concept was expanded in 2004 into an entire month of walking and hiking activities. In year three, the Festival again offered a month of celebrations and introduced a Grand Finale event that was unforgettable. In 2006, we expanded our events to six weekends. We're looking forward to another very successful year in 2008.

Our Mission

To promote the importance of being self-reliant on matters of personal and environmental wellness together by helping to create a culture of Walking in Toronto.

Tom Fiore, Director-Founder

Walk Leaders

Alan Lavine - Walking/Hiking Director

Alan has may years of experience in leading Walks & Hikes.
His relaxed manner and voice of experience make all walkers comfortable
while being lead through a most rememberable Walking experience.
Alan is responsible for getting many walkers started on to the path of
wellness and as they come more tuned into the joys of walking, they have become avid walkers, healthier individuals, and stewards of the environment.

Jay Tabac - Xtreme Walk Director

Jay Tabac is the owner and operator of Commit Fitness Inc. He is also a faculty member at Humber College’s Fitness program, and holds a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University where he studied exercise science and athletic therapy. He has lectured at national fitness and personal training conferences on topics of health, wellness, and professional development in the personal training industry.

In regards to Jay’s hiking and walking experiences, they range from leisurely walks with friends and family around the parks and ravines of Toronto, to extreme hiking and mountaineering expeditions in the Canadian Rockies.

Jay is excited to be taking part in Momentum One’s Extreme Walking Series.

Leonor (Leo) Mowry - Yoga Walks Director

Leo owns and operates Village Yoga in Toronto, Canada and is the co-author of Advancing Your Yoga Practice: The Art of Slowing Down with Susi Hately Aldous. In addition to teaching group classes, private lessons and facilitating corporate workshops, Leo specializes in teaching therapeutic yoga to students with various physical limitations and special needs. She is continually gratified and amazed by the human capacity to heal, using simple techniques.

Leo is delighted in her role as director of Yoga Walks and loves taking yoga off the mat and into the great outdoors. In February 2009, she’s teaming up with Evolve Tours and Marla Gold to offer the ultimate wellness/adventure trip to Costa Rica, featuring daily yoga, NIA and adventure activities. Check out the Village Yoga web site at www.villageyoga.ca to see what’s up!

Marla Gold - Rhythm Walks Director

Marla’s passion for a healthy lifestyle through movement is a natural fit with her teachings of Nia and Body Rhythms. She brings to her classes knowledge from diverse trainings in Dance, Fitness, Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology and Bodywork. Her goal is to encourage people to enjoy a lifestyle of health and well-being. Marla is a Holistic Practitioner and Brown Belt Nia Instructor who teaches regular Nia and Body Rhythms classes and workshops in Toronto.

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