Saskatchewan Trails Day

Come out and celebrate the beauty of the prairies during Saskatchewan Trails Day on June 5!

Quarantine fatigue is a reality for many of us as the pandemic continues. Many people find turning to nature helps curb feelings of isolation. The Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA) invites all residents to get out and enjoy the province’s trail network on Saskatchewan Trails Day on Saturday, June 5, while at the same time adhering to provincial health standards.

“We are pleased to be able to offer a slice of the outdoors through our many hiking trails,” said STA President David Powell. “It’s a great way to spend a day with family and friends, or even make your own solo adventure. As you are out on your exploration, we encourage you to share your experience and photos with us by using #SaskTrailsDay. You can follow us and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.”

If by chance you run into other trail lovers on your hike, the STA advises that you adhere to the guidelines set out by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). You can help protect yourself and others by practicing physical distancing, while also avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as any other surfaces others may have come in contact with. It is also important to practice good hand hygiene.

If you’d like to find trails throughout the province, then check out the STA’s on-line trail directory at sasktrails.ca/trail-directory/.  The directory provides information about trails, locations, difficulty, length, photos and maps. This information can help you get from point A to point B and back, on your journey to experience nature on the trails.

As part of the Saskatchewan Trails Day celebrations, the STA is launching a month-long photo contest. Take lots of photos while hiking the trail you picked, and submit them to us through Instagram using #SaskTrailsPhotoContest2021. You can enter as often as you like, and there are prizes! The best images, as selected by the STA board of directors, can win a first prize of a $200 gift card or one of two honorary mentions valued at $50 each. All photos become property of the STA and will be used to promote your favourite trails. The contest begins on Saskatchewan Trails Day and wraps up on June 30 as part the province’s June is Recreation and Parks Month. A decision on the top photo prizes will be made the following week.

After you’ve experienced the trail system, the STA encourages you to make a donation to the trail of your choice, and to help support trail development and maintenance programs in Saskatchewan. Memberships for a STA member are also available for as little as $25 per year for an individual.  STA members have access to trail funding and other resources, and can attend and vote at meetings of members. Visit Sasktrails.ca to find out more information about trails and activities available in your area. Every new trail offers a unique adventure!

For more information, contact Pat Rediger at (306) 522-9326 or email prediger@sasktrails.ca.

Cathy Watts Volunteer Award Recipients

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Cathy Watts Volunteer Award. Curt Schroeder and Tom Landine were co-recipients and have made long-term commitments to the trail community.

Curt’s experience with trails dates back to the 1990s when the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) was the lead agency for the Trans Canada Trail for this province. SPRA formed a Saskatchewan Trails Council of trail stakeholders and Curt was one of the original members of this group. He then went on to organize and become President of the Great Plains Trans Canada Trail, which was responsible for developing the trail in the Regina area.

When the Saskatchewan Trails Council evolved into the Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA), Curt was one of its founding members and became a board member. Serving as President from 2007 to 2011, he led the development of the first strategic plan for trail development in Saskatchewan.

Later, as the Secretary to the Canadian Trails Federation he was nominated to serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the National Trails Coalition (NTC), which was recognized for implementing a dedicated trail funding program for motorized and non-motorized trail users throughout the country.  Curt remains an active board member and currently serves as the President of Regina Search and Rescue.

Tom has been involved in trail building for more than 15 years. He began his trail-building career in the Qu’Appelle Valley as a member of the local mountain bike club, the East Qu’Appelle Cartel (EQC). He and a small group of volunteers built some of the best mountain bike trails in Saskatchewan over a period from 2006-18. The trails were also used by the EQC to host an annual mountain bike race from 2008 to 2019.

In 2013, Tom began organizing a project to build a walking/biking trail within the regional park in Esterhazy. He began by endorsing the project, followed by the approval of the town. Next, he led the fundraising efforts, planned a roughed-out provisional route for the first stage, and hired a trail-building contractor. The first section of trail was completed in 2016.

Upon completing the first half of the trail, Tom and a group of volunteers carved out the remaining half of the trail so that it would be a full loop. He even went through the effort of purchasing a mini excavator to build the trail and was successfully able to complete the other half prior to the first snowfall in 2020.

Under his leadership, the trails continue to expand and improve steadily. Every year he organizes a trail clean-up and mowing program which then moves on to track setting in the winter.

           

First recipient, Curt Schroeder               Second recipient, Tom Landine

Welcoming Corman Park Horse Riders Association

We are pleased to announce that Grasswood Horse Park/the Corman Park Horse Riders Association (CPHRA), located south of Saskatoon on the corner of Baker Road and Preston Ave., has recently become a member.

The Grasswood Horse Park is managed by CPHRA, a volunteer non-profit group. The riding facilities include a natural trail obstacle course, two fenced arenas – one contains a permanent working equitation course and dressage arena, a perimeter trail and a polocrosse field.

Horse riders/handlers must purchase a CPHRA and Sask. Horse Federation membership to enter the park. The Natural Trail Obstacle Course requires an additional membership for access to that area. All membership fees go towards maintenance and development of the park.

The Park features and amenities include:

Arena #1
140’ x 200’ wood fenced arena

Perimeter Fence and Trail
Providing safe and contained riding

Camping during events
Camping only while attending an organized event (max. 3 nights)

Water Hydrant
Not potable in 2 1000L tanks around the park

Arena #2 Working Equitation and Dressage arena
200′ x 300′ metal fenced arena

Announcer Stand
With power supply

Parking Area
Mowed and marked for more than 50 rigs

Pens for Horses
For temporary holding, overnight only while attending an organized event

Natural Trail Obstacle Course
Over 30 elements, including a trestle bridge and pond

3 Bleachers for Spectators
Polocrosse Field
Port a pot

For more information visit https://grasswoodhorsepark.ca/