The Friends of the Summerstown Trails receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

Provided by Friends of the Summerstown Trails
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant
Three generations enjoying time together at the Summerstown Trails opening day. (Photo : Krystine Therriault/Seaway News)

Summerstown, Ontario – On January 15th, the Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) hosted a media conference at the trailhead to recognize the $17,900 Community Building Fund – Capital stream grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

“By retrofitting this school portable into a welcome center, the Friends of the Summerstown trails will be able to provide even more fulsome programming for the over 15000 visitors that currently visit on an annual basis,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. “The year-round network of over 30kms of trails serves the residents of Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry well by allowing access to nature, free of charge. This new addition to the Summerstown trails will be welcomed by all users.”

This grant allowed FOTST to renovate the school portable, which will act as the hub for all their activities and events. The recognition event was held during the annual Official Opening Day at the trails where the public is invited to come out to the trails and take advantage of the free rental of equipment on that day.

“Our volunteers are behind everything we do, from grooming the trails to running our events and programs,” said Vic Leroux, FOTST President. “We have a great group of dedicated volunteers, over 70 in total, and they are the ones who allow us to offer our school hosting program, Family Day Festivities, Learn-to programs, etc. to the community.”

Mother Nature delivered snow just in time and hundreds of people came out to the trails, enjoying the sunny temperature, skiing, snowshoeing, biking or just walking the trails. The parking lot overflowed and cars had to park on the adjacent county road. With snow and ice still sticking to all the branches, the forest was sparkling when the sun came out at noon.

The Summerstown Trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401.

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