Lakefield Trail... now have their own website !!
Click on the following link: Lakefield Trail Website
There's Never Been a Better Time to Become A Friend of the Lakefield Trail! 
The Lakefield Trail is a 5.5 km trail that meanders through the Village of Lakefield . The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee was established to promote the benefits that the Trail contributes to the community and to maintain the Trail, ensuring both the safety of those who use the Trail and the preservation of the natural beauty of the Trail.
Many of you have enjoyed our spring and winter guided nature hikes along the Trail. Many of you link your Trail experience with recreation and relaxation. But the benefits are far greater. The Lakefield Trail also provides economic, health, social, heritage, cultural and environmental benefits to our community.
But, there are many pressures that can work against our Trail. One of those pressures is nature itself. As the trees grow up along the Trail, so do their root systems. A paved section of the Trail close to the Lakefield Beach must be repaired at a cost of up to $20,000. Another of those pressures is vandalism. Sadly, over the winter, some of the trees that we planted along the Trail were damaged and must be replaced.
Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee appreciates the volunteers who contribute their time to helping us maintain the Trail. We encourage you to celebrate their contribution! Our Friends are recognized for the cumulative donations they make over the years. The most essential benefit to contributing to our Friends Program is the knowledge that you have become part of a network of people in your community who are committed to protecting, restoring, enjoying and sharing the joys and beauty of hiking and walking in Lakefield.
The Lakefield Trail Committee needs your support. We graciously accept donations of any amount. Call the Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Recreation Department at 292-7034 to find out how you can become a Friend of the Lakefield Trail. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. "The Lakefield Trail is there for all and free for all the taking to run along, to stroll along, to bike along or skate upon," said Dorothy Thompson who was a great supporter of the Lakefield Trail.
Become a Friend of the Lakefield Trail Application Form
Lakefield Trail Newsletter - Spring 2009
Lakefield Trail Volunteers Needed
The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the following committee activities:
Becoming a Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee member- we meet 1st Thursday of every month in the Centennial Room, beside the Lakefield Public Library, 7 pm.
- General Trail maintenance,
- Spreading limestone screenings in the spring,
- Sweeping paved sections of the Trail,
- Planting trees along the Trail,
- Installing benches,
- Gardening,
- Litter pick-up,
- Carpentry work for the 2 Shade Shelters on the Trail,
- Raffle ticket sales,
- Lending a hand at our raffle ticket sales booth at the Lakefield Jazz Festival, Ennismore Shamrock Festival, and Lakefield's annual Sidewalk Sale, and
- Helping out at our annual Trail-A-Thon in September (donating baked goods for our bake sale, barbeque duty for our back bacon sandwich sales).
If you have a couple of hours to spare once in a while and are interested in supporting the Lakefield Trail, please email Heather English, Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Recreation Department or phone 705-292-7034
Lakefield Trail Events 2010
- Earth Hour - Saturday, March 27, 2010
- Earth Week Trail Work Day - Saturday, April 24, 2010
- Earth Week Spring Nature Hike - Sunday, April 25, 2010
- Trees by the Shore tree planting - Sunday, May 16, 2010 - ?
- Family Paddle Event - Thursday, June 24, 2010
- Booth at the Jazz Festival - Saturday, July 3, 2010
- Booth at the Lakefield Sidewalk Sale - August 14, 2010
- Historical Walking Tour - Sunday, September 19, 2010
- 10th Anniversary Gala - Friday, November 12, 2010
- PolarFest Night Hike - Friday, February 4, 2011
In addition to these events, there are tree planting and Trail repair activities planned. Dates will be announced in the Lakefield Herald when finalized.
Be sure to mark your calendars! More information will be posted prior to each event.
See you on the Trail!
If you would like to know more about our events or would like to offer your services as a volunteer, please email Heather English, Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Recreation Department or phone 705-292-7034.
Earth Week 2010 Activities on the Lakefield Trail
Over 20 volunteers joined the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee last Saturday morning for the annual Earth Week spring cleaning of the Lakefield Trail. New limestone screenings were added to sections of the Trail near Baptie Lane, along Water Street and going north from the Lakefield Beach. Volunteers also collected several bags of garbage along the Trail. This year volunteers came from as far away as Holland to help! The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee thanks all of the hardworking volunteers who gave their rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows a good workout and the litter pick-up crews for cleaning up the Trail.
Last Sunday morning, biologist and avid birder, Ken Rumble, led a group of 35 hikers along the Lakefield Trail to the Doug Sadler Viewing Tower. Ken spotted 14 different birds that morning! The hikers learned about the spring migration of North American birds that come into our area and how important areas like Imagine The Marsh are to migrating birds. After the hike, Regina Varrin from the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre explained why turtles in our area are becoming endangered and what we can do to protect them. "I really enjoy coming out to the Spring Hike on the Trail because every year I learn something new. Now I know why I only have one wren family in my backyard when I have more than one wren birdhouse," said Lynda Parsons.
The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee would like to thank both Ken Rumble and Regina Varrin for sharing the wonders of nature as part of Earth Week 2010 activities on the Lakefield Trail.
See You On The Trail!
Earth Week Activities on the Lakefield Trail - Photos
PolarFest Night Hike 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Over 70 participants took advantage of ideal winter weather conditions last Friday evening to join Ministry of Natural Resources ecologist and naturalist, Mike McMurtry share the wonders of nature in winter. Mike led the enthusiastic group of hikers along the Lakefield Trail from the Marshland Centre to Imagine The Marsh where he explained how owls survive in the winter when food sources hide under the deep snow. Hikers also learned how the frogs survive through the cold winter by turning into "frogsicles" as their tiny bodies actually freeze!
The PolarFest Night Hike, sponsored by the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee, has been a favorite family event since 2005.
The hike ended back at the Lakefield beach where everyone was treated to another of Wendy Wallace's spectacular Fire and Ice displays. Participants gathered around a warm campfire on the beach as they enjoyed hot apple cider and children roasted marshmallows. Hikers from Ennismore remarked that, "It was a perfect night walk."
The Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone who attended for making this another successful Lakefield Trail event. We especially thank Mike McMurtry and Wendy Wallace for providing an entertaining evening for everyone.
The Lakefield Trail is a 5.5 km. trail that connects along the Otonabee River via the Peterborough County Rotary Trail, to the Trans Canada Trail. Call Heather English, of the Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Recreation Department at 292-7034 for more information about our Trail. "The Lakefield Trail is there for all and free for all the taking to run along, to stroll along, to bike along or skate upon," said Dorothy Thompson who was a great supporter of the Lakefield Trail.
The First Annual Historical Walking Tour of Lakefield
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Over 70 people joined members of the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee and the Lakefield Historical Society for a Historical Walking Tour of the Village of Lakefield last Sunday afternoon. Historical enthusiasts listened to Athabelle Tighe, Gwen McMullen, Michael Townsend, Lois Kellar, Brenda Neill, and David Glover bring the story of the roots of the Village of Lakefield to life. Each colourful narrative described how the Village's history has shaped the community we live in today.
Participants sipped tea and enjoyed home baked cookies at the replica steamship pavilion in Isabel Morris Park at the end of the Tour as they let their minds wander back to the time when the Village was vibrant with excited passengers as they boarded the big steamships that took them to their cottages on Ston(e)y and Clear Lakes. The Belle Tones, directed by Mark Hiscox, delightfully added to the celebration of Lakefield's history. One lucky participant won From Nelson's Falls to Lakefield, a book that recounts the history of Lakefield up to 1950. All that was missing was the majestic Stoney Lake waiting at the wharf!
The goals of the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee are to maintain and enhance the Trail, to plan events on the Trail that promote environmental education and healthy outdoor activities, and to promote local and area trails. Funds raised from this event will help the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee complete ongoing maintenance along the Trail. The goal of the Lakefield Historical Society is to preserve and promote the dynamic history of the Village. If you would like to purchase a copy of From Nelson's Falls to Lakefield, you can find it at Happenstance Books & Yarns in Lakefield. This event very successfully met the goals of both organizations in ways that beg the planning of the next Historical Walking Tour of Lakefield! Thank you to everyone who participated.
