Ten years on the Lang-Hastings Trail
It’s one link in a path across Canada from coast to coast
The Peterborough-Hastings Trans Canada Trail Association hosted a special 10th anniversary celebration on May 6 along a section of the Trans Canada Trail known as the Lang Hastings Trail.
The Peterborough-Hastings Trans Canada Trail Association is an incorporated, non-profit charity originally founded in 2012. This army of volunteers and supporters are dedicated to “the operation, maintenance and promotion of the Lang Hastings Trail, a 33-kilometre stretch developed on the abandoned Canadian National Railway rail bed between Peterborough and the Trent River at Hastings.
The process of “bridging the gap” in the Trans Canada Trail by opening up this scenic and desired section between Peterborough and Hastings was actually many years in the making, however the goal was accomplished on May 2, 2013.
The property on which the trail is situated is leased by the association from the Province of Ontario and The Cowan Family Foundation.
The 10-year anniversary celebrations were held to commemorate the original opening of the trail in 2013, however the festivities were also an opportunity the recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers and donors who are indispensable for the improvement of trail sections through essential seasonal maintenance activities, infrastructure upgrades and the installation of new amenities and informational signage.
Each year, volunteers contribute hundreds of hours of work to ensure that all users can safely access the Lang Hastings Trail and reap the benefits of outdoor recreation in the county.
The Trans Canada Trail would not be the tremendous national asset that it is without the dedication and commitment of tens of thousands of volunteers across the nation, who play a critical role in the development, care, and maintenance of the trail.
The Peterborough-Hastings Trail Association will also be launching a new trail monitor and trail steward volunteer program this year.
To learn more please email Christine Painter at langhastingstct@gmail.com or visit langhastingstrail.ca.
The festivities took place on-trail at the shelter gazebo between Heritage Line and Nelson Road/Base Line. The shelter, which contains an informational plaque and a park bench to give the weary wanderer a chance to rest, was constructed last year on the historical site of the original Grand Trunk Railway Keene Station.
Projects such as the shelter are funded by Trans Canada Trail Trail Care Grants. A total of 192 trail groups received funding from the grants this year to help them prepare the trail for the 2023 spring and summer seasons. These grants are supported by Hydro One’s Energizing Life Community Fund and by Columbia Sportswear.
Blue whales and yard sales
The Norwood Lion’s Club will once again be hosting their traditional Victoria Day events at the Lions Park (The corner of Alma and Highway 45) this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The club has preparations well in hand to host their traditional barbecue and yard sale, also joining them again will be the Norwood Swans (formerly The Lioness) with their traditional bake sale of homemade goodies and the Norwood library will also be hosting a book sale alongside the Lion’s yard sale.
The Lions’ annual Blue Whale Race down the Ouse River is also set to go again. The pod of bath time play toys will be released into the raging water around 12:30 p.m. with the speediest arriving at the park around 1 p.m. to claim a top prize of $1,000.
The eager bargain hunter will also find a number of community yard sales happening throughout the village over the weekend. Anyone not hosting their own sale and would like to donate items to the Lions yard sale can drop them off at the park between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning or call Lion Bob Brickell at 905-715-5416 for more information
Legion hosts yard sale
As mentioned above, the village of Norwood has long-standing tradition of hosting plenty of yard sales over the Victoria Day weekend. The Norwood Legion will join in the tradition this year, hosting a large indoor yard sale on May 20 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Other events at the local legion (on the corner of King and Alma Streets) include wing night every Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Up until recently kitchen renovations had placed wings nights on hiatus and while there is still work to be done they are pleased to announce the return of the popular deep fried delicacies.
The legion is also hosting bingo every Sunday. Doors open at 5 p.m. games start at 6:30 p.m. and food from the kitchen will be available.
They also have their Catch the Ace Draw running; proceeds from the draw go to kitchen renovations.
Church rummage sale
St. George’s Anglican Church next door in Hastings, 38 Bridge St., is hosting a rummage sale on May 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church has decided to host the sale a week after their Norwood neighbours.