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Our Annual Trail Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than usual, on Saturday, November 3, starting at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 24.
As there is virtually no garbage on the trails, all the volunteers attending will be asked to do trail maintenance work which consists in trimming back small branches and seedlings along the trails and removing fallen branches. Please bring pruning shears, manual brush cutters, hedge trimmers, etc. We do not need chainsaws for this type of stuff. And don’t forget your work gloves. Even though the forest is very dry this year, wear appropriate footwear as there may be some wet spots on the trails.
Also, we will have a membership registration desk available from 10:00 to noon. If you want to just come out for a late Saturday morning walk in the forest, you can do so and take advantage of our registration desk while meeting other FOTST members.
Thanks for coming out to help!
On May 12 and 16, 2018 (7:00 a.m. to noon), fifteen members of the Friends of the Summerstown Trails participated in the annual bird walks led by Martin Bowman in the Summerstown Forest. Here is the cumulative list of the 50 bird species identified during the two walks.
Bold species signifies 22 species seen or heard on both walks. ** one species seen by Martin Bowman on his scouting walk (May 10) but not seen on members’ walks.
5th Annual DION Summerstown Forest Snowshoe Race.
COURSE: Mostly single track with lots of possible passing areas. Packed rolling terrain making this a fast beautiful tree covered course.
PARKING: Free limited parking at race start for the early birds and the rest will be road side parking.
SNOWSHOE RENTAL: If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, we have a limited number of Dion Snowshoes for rent, and are available on a first come, first serve basis when you register online, so register early! Rental fee is $10/race. Other snowshoes may be available for rental at various outdoor clubs and/or stores.
WEATHER: In the unlikely event of no snow, the race will still take place as a trail run (without snowshoes). Since the race will take place with or without snow, we cannot offer refunds or race transfers.
ENTRY FEES: EARLY ENTRY FEE (before Jan 20, 2018): 7.55km race – $25.00 | 3.5km race – $15.00 REGULAR ENTRY FEE (Jan 20 – Feb 8, 2018): 7.55km race – $35.00 | 3.5km race – $20.00 LATE ENTRY FEE (Race day): 7.55km race – $45.00 | 3.5km race – $30.00 Race is capped at a maximum of 150 competitors. Race day registration only available if we haven’t reached 150 by race day. Please register early!
RACE SOUVENIR: Sign up early to guarantee your customized race souvenir. Available while supplies last to those who preregister.
REGISTRATION: Online registration available at Running Room.
POST RUN AWARDS: • Merchandise awards from our sponsors. • All participants are eligible for numerous draw prizes. • Post race hot and cold snacks will be provided after the race.
DION ONTARIO SNOWSHOE RUNNING SERIES: Each racers top three finishes will count towards the series with the lowest point total being declared the winner. The first place male and female winner of the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series will each win a pair of top-of-the-line Dion running snowshoes at the conclusion of the series. We will also be randomly drawing for a free pair of Dion Snowshoes and additional prizes at each race in the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series. You must be at awards ceremony to win!
The District 8 of the Ontario Senior Games Association (55+) will hold a XC ski race at the Summerstown trails on Feb. 15.
Cost: $15 annual registration fee which permits participation in all OSGA event throughout the year.
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails will be hosting their annual Family Day activities at the Summerstown Forest on Monday, February 19, from 10am to 4pm. Come out and enjoy the trails and other outdoor fun activities. Free XC ski and snowshoe rentals for families throughout the day. Many other free activities and food offered. The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401. For more information, visit www.summerstowntrails.com.
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Ski outing on Wednesday evening, January 31, 7:15pm.
This event will take place even in the case of minimal cloud cover as enough light is still available. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the FOTST website and Facebook at 5pm at the latest.
For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.
Our Annual Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than usual, on Saturday, November 4, at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 25.
Given the improved garbage situation at the trails (good news!), most of the volunteers attending will be asked to do trail maintenance work which consists in trimming back small branches and seedlings along the trails and removing fallen branches. Please bring pruning shears, manual brush cutters, hedge trimmers, etc. We do not need chainsaws for this type of work. And don’t forget your protective equipment and boots as there may be wet spots on the trails.
Any garbage clean-up will be concentrated in and around the parking lot and at specific areas on the trails. All you need are work gloves; we will provide the trash bags.
Come out and see the remarkable bird life of the forest in spring.
UPDATE - the maximum number of participants for this walk has been reached. Unfortunately, we cannot accept anymore names for our waiting list either.
All members of the Friends of the Summerstown Trails [FOTST] are invited to join us for our Annual General Meeting. Come out and meet the folks who look after the trails and chat with the people who are planning the new parking lot and entrance way to Summerstown Forest.
Time: 7:30 p.m. General Meeting followed by a social hour.
RSVP by email if you are planning to attend so we can plan the social hour. For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Ski outing on Friday evening, February 10, 7:15pm.
This event will take place even in the case of minimal cloud cover as enough light is still available. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the FOTST website to that effect at 5pm at the latest.
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails will be hosting their annual Family Day activities at the Summerstown Forest on Monday, February 20, from 10am to 4pm. Come out and enjoy the trails and other outdoor fun activities. Free XC ski and snowshoe rentals for families throughout the day. Many other free activities and food offered. The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401. For more information, visit www.summerstowntrails.com.
SNOWSHOE RENTAL: If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, we have a limited number of Dion Snowshoes for rent, and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact us if you would like a pair reserved. Rental fee is $5/race and payable on race day at pickup. Email parisiengl@sympatico.ca to reserve.
WEATHER: In the event of no snow the race will be a trail race.
ENTRY FEES: EARLY ENTRY FEE (before Jan 31, 2017): 7.55km race – $25.00 | 3.5km race – $15.00 REGULAR ENTRY FEE (Feb 1 – Feb 10, 2017): 7.55km race – $35.00 | 3.5km race – $20.00 LATE ENTRY FEE (Race day): 7.55km race – $45.00 | 3.5km race – $30.00 Race is capped at a maximum of 150 competitors. Race day registration only available if we haven’t reached 150 by race day. Please register early!
Event Update: Given the adverse weather and snow conditions, the moonlight outing scheduled for Friday, will be a SNOWSHOE instead of a ski.
The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Snowshoe on Friday evening, January 13, 7:15pm.
Our Annual Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than ususal, on Saturday, November 5, starting at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 26.
Garbage clean-up will be concentrated in and around the parking lot and at specific areas on the trails. All you need are work gloves; we will provide the trash bags.
Note: We will begin with a short ceremony for the unveiling of our new interpretive signs which will be installed on the trails.