Friends of Glengarry Trails Association

Our Spring Newsletter: https://glengarrytrails.com/

Photos this week from Janet Lalumiere

Moose on the Loose!! Three moose were spotted on the Glengarry Trails near county road 45 ( Kenyon Dam Rd.) While it may be exciting to see animals on the trail, it is wise to remember that they are wild and approaching them could be dangerous, particularly if they feel threatened. Enjoy the trails. They are in good condition for this time of year. Many spring flowers and butterflies are out to greet you.

Check for ticks. And protect yourself please.

Found: on the Lochiel trail, two sets of keys . 1. Photo below: Found at the Lochiel parking lot, If yours call 613-525-0566 2. Photo of a sign with information if you lost a set of keys. They were found near the aluminum gate west on the Lochiel trail.

Trail sharing and covid-19...please read During covid lockdown we have seen an explosion in trail usage. Consider fellow walkers, skiers and snowmobilers. Follow trail etiquette and safety measures.... 1. Dogs on leash....keep everyone feeling safe 2. Pick up after your dog...no one wants to step in your dog’s poop! 3. Avoid tracks set for cross country skiing 4. Be aware of multi use areas, particularly the Green Trail, which has snowmobile use in winter. During Covid-19 1. Keep your distance from others 2. Wear a mask, or carry one to use if the parking areas or the trails become crowded. Stay safe, enjoy the outdoors, and be respectful of fellow users.

If you are using the Glengarry trails you will know that there are icy spots. It would be best to wear crampons. On the east end near Alexandria, Yvon Ranger (a dedicated volunteer) has created a bypass to help you walk safely around an ice covered hill. Janet, a walker on the Garry Fen trail off Lakeshore Road, says the trail is slippery and suggests you wear crampons if using that area. Hopefully, we will soon have sticky snow to solve the problem.

This fellow is on the Glengarry trails to wish everyone joyful winter days even as covid continues to play havoc with our plans. Stay safe and enjoy the trails. A huge thank you to our volunteers, donors and those who support us through their membership.

Exciting news! The third tale on the trails will be posted on December 14 at 1:00PM and will remain in place until mid February. Bobi Leutschaft Poitras has written the thought provoking poem with whimsical snow-people illustrations. The unveiling, with social distancing, will take place at the trailhead on Lochiel Street West in Alexandria. Only two more days to enjoy, Fen, the story presently on the trails.

Santa’s masked elves were busy on the Glengarry Trails. Take a walk on the red trail from Lochiel Street to Hwy 43 to enjoy their handiwork .

Wonderful weather, beautiful colours and the trails in good shape: it was a perfect location for a virtual race to benefit The Royal Ottawa Women’s mental health program. The T-shirts read, together we are unstoppable. So true in many walks of life.

LOST: Please help if you walk Garry Fen trail. A medical alert bracelet was lost on the trail yesterday, Sunday, Sept 20. See information below.

Plants along the Glengarry Trails

A perfect weekend to walk the Garry Fen trail at Lakeshore Road. We were in search of exercise and interesting fall plants.

The bilingual Tales on the Trails feature is now open starting at the trail head on Lochiel Street West in Alexandria. The story, Charlie Chipmunk’s Three Pots of Paint, was written and illustrated by Flip Flockton. Take a walk on the lovely trails. Stop at each of ten story board holders to read Charlie Chipmunk’s adventure.

How does one have an Annual General Meeting in covid times? Outdoors of course. Wednesday, August 25 the FGTA installed its board of directors consisting of 3 new members. We thanked Pat Kerr for her past service as a director. She continues to be the FGTA web master.

You are invited to join us Friends of Glengarry Trails Association Annual General Meeting Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 7:00 PM Public invited to bring lawn chairs to Island Park, Derby Street W., Alexandria... (In case of severe rain: Glengarry Sports Palace will allow for social distancing) We are looking for new members and new board members -there are several openings. See more

We are number 10!

Have a look at these drone photos of our new boardwalk, taken in early Spring. GlengarryTrails.ca

Rebuilt boardwalk on part of the Garry Fen Trail

A Tale on the Trail. Glengarry Trails is nearing completion of the many facets of the trail upgrades. With financial support from North Glengarry Township and the Ontario Trillium Foundation we will soon have a new feature beginning at the Lochiel Street West, Alexandria, entrance. Ten panels will tell a children’s story written by local authors and illustrated by local artists. Glengarry Encore Education and the Glengarry Arts Collective collaborated with the FGTA to produce the story boards.

This cute trio is looking for adventure on the Glengarry Trails. The boardwalk from Lochiel Street West in Alexandria will take them into hardwood forest and open trails. They may spot frogs, squirrels, butterflies and a variety of birds. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Great Outdoors

Look carefully, can you spot the wee oak tree in this photo. It is one of the newly planted trees donated by the RRCA. The tree planting is another step toward completion of the boardwalk upgrade.

Near the boardwalk off Lochiel Street. Thank you Lisa and Matthew for planting trees donated by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA). Although small now, these trees will eventually be enjoyed by those using the trails. Both Matthew and Lisa are employed by the RRCA. Matt is also an FGTA board member and Lisa sits on an FGTA subcommittee.

Facelift for FGTA gates. Eight volunteers for eight gates. Not everyone reacts the same to a job well done.Thank you Karen, Gary, Rhonda, Julia, Tina, Maureen, Lauren and Madison

Let me solve a mystery for you. Why are there 6 posts west of the Lochiel Street boardwalk? A piece of outdoor artwork? Food for a friendly woodpecker? No. This is the foundation for a lookout. It should be a boon to photographers, birders and those who simply wish to view the surrounding habitats. I am excited to see the finished product.... Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of this project. See more

Yahoo! The Garry Fen boardwalk is once again open for your enjoyment. Now we are turning for help to you, the people who benefit from our wonderful trails system. The Friends of Glengarry Trails (FGTA) was faced with the decision to either permanently close the boardwalk to the public or replace it. Much of the labour was done by volunteers with the help of our contractor, Perry v.d.Oetelaar. However, the materials must be paid. Unfortunately, we were not successful in our bi...d for a $5,000 grant to help cover the cost of lumber. We will need to recoup this shortfall through fundraising. The FGTA is a registered non-profit and will issue tax receipts. If you feel you could support us with a donation, it can be mailed to Friends of Glengarry Trails, PO Box 108, Alexandria, On. K0C 1A0. or dropped off at the Georgian House mailbox located on the porch left of the main entrance. Or use Pay Pal on the FGTA website www.glengarrytrails.com. You may consider taking out an membership at an annual cost of $20 for a single membership of $30 for a family. Thank you. Enjoy the trails . Stay active and stay healthy. See more

Working on the boardwalk at the Garry Fen. It was closed for a couple of weeks and is now open for your enjoyment.

https://glengarrytrails.com/the-glengarry-trails/the-trails/

The Glengarry Trails are open. Please respect each other and the trails. for maps please see glengarrytrails.com.