(Left to right): Katherine Johnston, OFSC District 3 Administrator; Lisa Ainsworth, Northumberland County Director of Corporate Services; Jennifer Moore, Northumberland County CAO; Todd Farrell, Northumberland County Natural Heritage Manager; Bernie Harrigan, GPRSA Vice President
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
On a day that dawned with fresh depths of snow, Northumberland County announced that it is preparing to welcome snowmobilers back to Norhtumberland County Forest for the 2023 season – which will feature enhanced trail maintenance thanks to funding from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association.
OFSC District 3 Administrator Katherine Johnston and GPRSA Vice-President Bernie Harrigan recently presented Northumberland County staff with a cheque for $17,732 through their grant program for advancing snowmobile tourism opportunities in Ontario. These funds will be used to enhance trail safety in the Northumberland County Forest by building a new section of trail, repairing sections of the existing trail network, and modifying an exit/entrance to the trail network.
Harrigan said in the announcement that safe trails are a top priority for the GPRSA.
“We are pleased to have worked with both the OFSC and Northumberland County to improve this trail section for all users. We look forward to similar future co-operative projects.”
“Northumberland County thanks the OFSC and GPRSA for this grant and for their partnership to enhance snowmobile trails in the forest for improved winter recreation experiences for our residents and visitors,” Northumberland Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore said.
The Northumberland County Forest has an extensive network of recreational trails, including 47 km. of trail designated for motorized sports like snowmobiling. For more information, including a downloadable map of snowmobile trails and guidelines for safe snowmobiling in the Forest, visit Northumberland.ca/Snowmobiling.
For updates on when the trails will officially open for snowmobiling, along with the latest snowmobile trail conditions, consult the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association Facebook page Facebook.com/ GreatPineRidgeSnowmobileAssociation/.
Author: Cecilia Nasmith
