Record Turnout for Family Day

RECORD TURNOUT FOR FAMILY DAY AT THE SUMMERSTOWN TRAILS

Summerstown, ON – It was a perfect day and a record turnout for the Family Day Festivities at the Summerstown Trails as more than 500 people attended the event organized by the Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST). There was not a cloud to be seen the whole day, the forest gives protection from the wind and the minus 6-7 temperatures kept the trails hard enough for all to enjoy.

Even though the event was scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m., families started arriving at 9:30 to take advantage of the free XC ski and snowshoe equipment. The free fat bike rentals were also very popular with many trying out this exciting new winter activity for the first time. By 11:00, more than 200 people had arrived on site and many cars were parked on the road, as the parking lot was already overflowing.

The more than 40 volunteers were kept busy throughout the day, handing out the free equipment, the free food and giving directions to those who were visiting the trails for the first time. A few statistics: 25 dozen hot dogs were consumed, 400 homemade cookies, plus uncounted roasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, maple taffy sticks, etc.

FOTST president, Vic Leroux, was amazed at the number of first-time visitors at the trails, even though this was our 9^th annual Family Day Festivities at the Summerstown Trails. “It was great to see so many young children XC skiing or snowshoeing for the first time. We even had a 3-year-old on skis, and he did great,” said Leroux, adding: “They’re our future.” At the end of the day, 300 free equipment rentals were made to the participants.  

The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401, and are open seven days a week. There is no charge to access the trails and donations are accepted to offset the cost of maintaining the trails. Rental of equipment on weekends only. More information at www.summerstowntrails.com or on our Facebook page.

- 30 -

Contacts:
Vic Leroux
FOTST President
613-551-6915

Jean-Pierre Tibi
FOTST Secretary
613-347-1229

About FOTST: The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is incorporated as a non-profit group run by volunteers with a stated mandate to maintain and develop green, recreational trails for healthy outdoor activities in the Summerstown Forest. In recent years, an impressive amount of progress has been made specially with the addition of a new parking lot on County Rd. 27; also, trails have been improved and expanded and new grooming equipment and signage installed. Many activities are offered, such as races, instructional lessons, outings for schools and seniors and Family Day activities. Rental of XC ski and snowshoe packages and fat bikes is also offered on weekends. The Summerstown Trails are situated on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401.