For the third year, several community groups and volunteers are coming together to celebrate a very important piece of transportation infrastructure — trails.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have hundreds of kilometers of trails winding their way through our region, allowing for biking, walking and a variety of other uses. Not only do trails connect communities, but they also allow people to get out and about and become more physically active.
Expanded from a single-day celebration in the past, International Trails Week encourages people to explore and discover our local trails and appreciate their presence in our communities. Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, and a wide variety of community groups, municipalities and cycling and hiking clubs are behind the celebration.
The weeklong festival kicks off on Sunday, June 1st, with a celebration of all wheeled transportation at GreenUP Ecology Park and Beavermead Park. This includes bikes, trikes, wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Throughout the week, community residents and visitors to the area can take part in organized walks, hikes, and cycling opportunities on trails in Norwood, Bridgenorth, Lakefield, Millbrook, and Lang to Hastings.
International Trails Day, which falls on Saturday, June 7th, will include a celebration at the Harold Town Conservation Area (on the Old Norwood Road) with events and exhibitors from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The official declaration of International Trails Day and the opening of the Conservation Area will take place.
International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails to promote trail development, the use of trails and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June in several Canadian provinces including Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
Beyond celebrating our trails, International Trails Week is about discovery and exploration. By promoting several trails from throughout our region, it’s an opportunity to discover a new trail or section of trail you’ve never used before. There’s no better way to explore our region than by bike or on foot, using one of our local trails to get from point A to B.
Below is a listing of trail events happening as part of International Trails Week. Attend an event near you to learn more about our trails and celebrate their importance in our communities.
Sunday, June 1st
Wheels Day
A celebration of all wheeled transportation — bikes, trikes, wheelchairs, strollers and walkers. Enjoy a picnic, ride and group cycling workshop. Meet at GreenUP Ecology Park.
Activities begin at noon.
Hosts: Five Counties Children’s Centre, B!KE, GreenUP.
Monday, June 2rd
Norwood Trails Day at the Breathing Tree Forest
Meet at the Trailhead
9:00 a.m. Secondary School Hike
11:15 a.m. Elementary School Hike
2:00, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Community Hikes
Host: Township of Asphodel-Norwood and Local Businesses
For more information: Ron Scott 705-639-2149
Royal Gardens Seniors Walk along the Trail
2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Millennium Trail, across from Princess Gardens, Peterborough
Host: Royal Gardens
For more information: Heather McGinn 705-741-6036, ext. 4006
Tuesday, June 3th
Guided Hike at the Harold Town Conservation Area
10:00 a.m.
Join members of the Kawartha Hiking Club for a leisurely hike and explore the natural features of the conservation area.
Host: Kawartha Hiking Club
For more information: Tony Tasch 705-755-0815
Tuesday, June 3th and Wednesday, June 4th
Rotary Trail Fest with Prince of Wales School
The Kindergarten/Primary Division students will go on a nature walk through the GreenUP Ecology Park over to Roger’s Cove in Peterborough.
Host: Rotary Club of Peterborough
Thursday, June 5th
Discover Sawer Creek
Enjoy a walk or cycle the Trail and discover the natural beauty of Sawer Creek.
Meet at County Road 32 at Hickey Road (near Lakefield)
Host: County of Peterborough
Selwyn Trails Day
The students of Chemong Public School will be hiking the Bridgenorth Trail as part of Selwyn Trails Day.
Hosts: Township of Selwyn, BEL Rotary, Otonabee Conservation
Saturday, June 7th – International Trails Day
Guided Hike along the Millbrook Valley Trails
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Trail head at Distillery Street, Millbrook
Host: Millbrook Valley Trails Committee
For more information: Alex Bushell 705-868-5631
Official Opening of the Harold Town Conservation Area
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Located at 2611 Old Norwood Road
Workshops, Exhibitors, Fun for the Entire Family
Host: Otonabee Conservation
For more information: Kathy Reid 705-745-5791, ext. 224
For a list of all activities, visit www.otonabee.com/parks-trails/trails/.
