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June is Recreation and Parks Month

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

It never fails to amaze me – living in the Bethany area provides unlimited opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding us. And the month of June is a perfect time to get out and enjoy the local conservation areas.

“CPRA celebrates the month of June as Parks and Recreation Month.  We take this opportunity to recognize the benefits of parks and recreation, encouraging Canadians to get out and be active in their communities.  This initiative raises awareness about the importance of parks and recreation and the role it plays in the quality of life for all Canadians.”   (Canadian Parks and Recreation Association)

There are 2 conservation areas within 10 km of Bethany: Fleetwood Creek Natural Area and Squirrel Creek Conservation Area.

Bethany.Ontario.Blog.Conservation.Areas.1

Source: https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/component/geocode_factory/?view=mapcb&idMap=1&Itemid=538 

Fleetwood Creek Natural Area is a river valley system located within the Oak Ridges Moraine. Visitors can discover and experience a distinctive part of Ontario’s natural heritage including lowland forests, hardwood bush, meadows and steep valleys. You will also find over 250 kinds of plants and 44 types of birds, including wild turkey that were reintroduced into the region during the 1980s.

And if geology is a hobby of yours, you will find a variety of geological formations caused by the past glacial period including kames, kettles, eskers and ice-contact ridges.

Squirrel Creek Conservation Area sits along the Otonabee River. In addition to the natural vegation it includes a beach, picnic shelters, baseball diamonds, boat launch and small dock. If you have an event, you can rent the picnic shelters and ball diamonds.

Bethany.Ontario.Blog.Conservation.Areas.2

Source: https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/ 

Travel a little further. Within a 25 km radius there are 9 more conservation areas.

Bethany.Ontario.Blog.Conservation.Areas.3

Source: https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/component/geocode_factory/?view=mapcb&idMap=1&Itemid=538

CPRA is encouraging followers on Twitter and Facebook to help spread the word about what ‘June is Parks and Recreation Month’ means to you.

Post pictures to @CPRA_ACPL or to Canadian Parks and Recreation Association on Facebook, using #JPRM2018 over the month of June.

All participants will be entered into a draw for the chance to win 1 of 3 – $50 Mountain Equipment Co-op gift cards to start your summer off right with new recreation gear.

You can post your pictures all month long!

 

 

 

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Still Looking for the Path to Enlightenment in Bethany

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , on April 2, 2013| 2 Comments »

Along with the Victoria Rail Trail I recently posted about, another great hiking or biking trail near Bethany is the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail

The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail is a 44 kilometre trail between Peterborough County and Muncipality of Durham, near Uxbridge.  Most of the trail is the abandoned rail line which makes it easily accessible for all users. It’s a four season route with some historic and cultural heritage, linking five communities, parkland, farmland and the natural environment and providing opportunities for nature appreciation and interpretation.  There’s lots of room to hike, walk, cycle, go horseback riding and snowmobile on the trail.

The eastern part of the trail hits downtown Omemee.

Trans Canada Trail

I was interested to discover that this trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail, which is the world’s longest network of recreational trails. When fully connected, the Trail will stretch 23,000 kilometres (14,000 mi) from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans. More than 16,800 kilometres (10,400 mi) of trail are currently usable, making it approximately 73% complete.  The network of the Trans Canada Trail is made up of more than 400 community trails. Each trail section is developed, owned and managed locally by trail groups, conservation authorities and by municipal, provincial and federal governments

Two hundred forty gaps totaling 6,200 kilometres (3,900 mi) must be bridged in order to achieve a fully connected trail. The Trans Canada Trail has given itself until its 25th anniversary and Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017 to reach this objective.

The Trail has been funded by Canadian federal and provincial governments and contributions from corporate and individual donors. The first province to have completed its designated section of the trail was Prince Edward Island.

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Path to Enlightenment

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , on March 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Victoria Rail Trail

Victoria Rail Trail

In Bethany?  It’s possible.

Spring arrives on Wednesday, although it may not seem like it today!  It’s my favourite season.  To me, spring means getting back into my garden, reconnecting with my neighbours now that the winter hibernation is finished, hikes, bikes and baseball.  Spending time outdoors is a priority as soon as the snow melts and the winter coats are put away.

My next few posts will be looking at what to do in and around Bethany in the spring.  Not sure if any of the activities will lead to enlightenment but they’re sure to help shake off the winter blahs (and pounds!)

VICTORIA RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR

The Victoria Rail Trail is an 85 km rail trail with corridors linking Kinmount to Bethany, through Lindsay.  The trail follows the former CN rail line which was constructed  in 1874.   This public trail is open year round for recreational uses including walking, hiking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing; and, with  a valid trail permit, snowmobiling and ATVing.  It’s a great, well- maintained trail for hiking or biking with beautiful scenery and reported wildlife sightings.  Some favourite sections are the area around Cameron Lake in the North Corridor and Draonel Station, outside Bethany on the South Trail.

This trail seems like a great way to reconnect with nature.  Reportedly, it’s good to head there as soon as the snow melts!

NORTH CORRIDOR

The North Corridor follows the former CN rail line north from Lindsay to Kinmount.  It begins at the North end of Lindsay at the top of William Street North, traveling 55km through the Ken Reid Conservation Area and  Fenelon Falls and onto Kinmount.

SOUTH CORRIDOR

south corridor

south corridor

The South Corridor, the old CP Rail Line, extends 30 km from Lindsay to Bethany. This trail begins off King St. E., with the new Rotary Trail – 1.5 km of paved pathway. The trail heads south to Bethany, progressing through farmlands and the natural areas of Fleetwood Creek Valley, bordered by the rolling hills of Bethany, including Devil’s Elbow Ski Resort. A portion of the trail passes through the newly formed Windy Ridge Conservation Area.

Recommended Access Points

  • Bethany (Intersection of Ski Hill Rd. & Jackson St.)
  • Pigeon River (limited parking) Mount Horeb Rd. (Arterial Rd. 31)
  • Lindsay (King St.)
trail rules

trail rules

TRAIL USE GUIDELINES

While on the Victoria Rail Trail a few basic rules apply:

  • Speed limits of 20 km/hr
  • Hours of use between 7:00am to 9:30pm
  • No ATVs between Logie St. & Thunderbridge Rd. in Lindsay at anytime; ATVs are not permitted on the trail during the winter months; Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the VRTC during the month of April
  • No two-wheel motorized vehicles are allowed
  • Only licensed and insured ATVs and snowmobiles only
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash
  • Pedestrians have the right of way over all other users
  • Privacy and the rights of abutting landowners must be respected
  • No littering or removing natural vegetation

Visit explorekawarthalakes or Victoria Rail Trail for more info

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