Motorized trails in the Northumberland County Forest will reopen to snowmobiling in time for the 2021/2022 season. County Forest trails are accessible to snowmobilers through an agreement between Northumberland County and the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association (GPRSA). Following a period of closure during the 2020/21 season while an updated agreement was under discussion, the County is pleased to announce that an agreement has now been finalized, with provisions for seasons up to the end of March 2026.
Under this finalized agreement, both parties have approved terms for the continued safe and acceptable use of County lands for snowmobiling activities, such as trail maintenance and signage standards, volunteer management, and insurance requirements. This includes enhanced liability protections for the County and Northumberland taxpayers related to this motorized sport.
“The County Forest is an important space for outdoor recreation in our community. We are pleased to welcome snowmobilers back to the Forest in time for this season and look forward to seeing them out on our 47 kilometers of motorized trails as well as patronizing local businesses in the surrounding communities,” states County Warden Bob Crate. “We appreciate the collaboration with the GPRSA and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to define mutually-agreeable terms that get snowmobilers back out on the trails at an acceptable level of liability risk for Northumberland taxpayers.”
The updated agreement covers a two-year year period, concluding March 31, 2023, with an option for the parties to renew for an additional three years, until March 2026. At the conclusion of this period, the agreement will be assessed by both parties to ensure it is continuing to fulfill its intended purpose.
For more information about snowmobiling trails and other recreational opportunities in the Northumberland County Forest, visit Northumberland.ca/trails
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
