Ottawa – Skiers, snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers will soon enjoy a multi-use winter trail along the Ottawa River Pathway, right by the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. One track will be set for skiers, the other for snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers.
The proposed winter trail will connect the Canadian War Museum, with parklands along the Sir John A. Macdonald corridor all the way to Westboro Beach.
The Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail is a grassroots initiative led by the Westboro Beach Community Association, a not-for-profit community organization with a long, healthy history of partnerships, with the active collaboration of the National Capital Commission (NCC). Jeff Leiper, City Councillor for Kitchissippi provided support and assistance on this initiative.
Dave Adams of Nakkertok Ski Club, Canada’s largest ski club located in Cantley, Quebec is the project coordinator and chief groomer. He will oversee the first trial run on Friday, February 26th. Skiers, snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers will be able to test the trails on Saturday, February 27th.
The snowshoeing and walking track will follow the existing pathway. The ski track will be groomed (prepared) for skiing. Serpentine loops at open green spaces will add distance to the ski track for an expected distance of 16 kilometres.
Run as a pilot project this year, this initiative will see the trail groomed up to three times this winter with hopes of making it a regular service as early as next winter.
The LeBreton Flats, Bayview/O-train and Dominion public transit stations make it easy to access the Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail. Parking is available off the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway at the Canadian War Museum, the Champlain Bridge and Kitchissippi Lookout.
Contacts:
• Dave Adams, Trails and Facilities Coordinator of Nakkertok Ski Club
trails@nakkertok.ca, 613-761-1980
• Mari Wellman, Chair of the Westboro Beach Community Association
wellmanemail@sympatico.ca, 613-722-5944
• Jean Wolff, NCC Media Relations
jean.wolff@ncc-ccn.ca, 613-239-5678 x5703 or 613-797-0279
