Adventure Awaits Challenge along the Seaway aims to get people off the couch and into nature
A new challenge along the St. Lawrence is asking people to get out and explore the trails in their communities, and it also helps local businesses.
Three townships have partnered together—the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Front of Yonge and the Town of Gananoque—to promote the many trail systems throughout the area.
"The idea is to explore what we can and what is accessible to us in our back yard, which is really so many options. It doesn't have to be far to enjoy a great adventure," said Town of Gananoque community services coordinator Emily Parker.
"We know that the area is very beautiful and there is lots to do in a time when we were all looking for things to do, especially staying active during the pandemic," Parker added.
The challenge is open to anyone. There are several trails to hike and walk, including Jones Creek, Marble Rock Conservation Area, Charleston Lake Provincial Park and Landon Bay, in Thousand Islands National Park.
"Lookout Trail is one of the more common trails," said Cara Lemkay, recreation coordinator for the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. "It's shorter, more of a moderate hike for some. It depends on your pace because it is an elevation to get to the lookout at the top."
Richard Marcoux & Cara Lemkay take a stroll on the Lookout Trail. (Nate Vandermeer / CTV News Ottawa)
"It's social distancing, out in nature, (and you) can use the parkway as one of the trails along with all of the other ones," said Front of Yonge councillor Richard Marcoux.
"This is something where everybody can learn something new and the main thrust was to get people off their couches and out into nature," Marcoux added. "Get some of this beautiful fresh air and be with their families."
Residents and tourists are encouraged to take photos along their hikes, including scenic shots, family portraits, selfies and pets, and submit them online through the Leeds and the Thousand Islands website.
"You can submit your information and a photo, and then you get a chance to win a gift card," parker said. "Contest winners are announced every Tuesday afternoon until the end of August."
"We choose a winner from each township and give them a gift certificate for a local vendor to promote them," said Marcoux.
"They're finding new things, like somebody makes something with beeswax. You can explore the country and at the same time explore the vendors in your area," he added.
David Chambers and Nathalie Larocque, visiting from Ottawa, just completed the Landon Bay Lookout Trail Thursday morning.
Lookout Trail. (Nate Vandermeer / CTV News Ottawa)
"It's a beautiful walk, beautiful view, really rugged, lots of rocks but not, like it's 2.4 kilometres, it's not too hard," Chambers said.
They snapped photos at the top of the lookout and said they are looking forward to submitting them.
"Definitely going to send in a picture. We've done some walking along the Thousand Islands; it's definitely a hidden gem. Gananoque itself is really cute. The trails along the parkway are really nice. There's a bit of everything," Chambers added.
The team has even received feedback from long time residents about trails they have never explored.
"One of the things they said was, 'We enjoyed the trail we didn't know was here,' and they were surprised by the lake that ran through the area," said Lemkay about a trail along Jones Creek.
"I would say that Jones Creek is actually probably a favourite. There's a lot of diversity and it is accessible for the first part of the trail so I think that's an excellent spot to get started in our area," she added.
A woman walks her dog along the Lookout Trail in eastern Ontario. (Nate Vandermeer / CTV News Ottawa)
"Of course we're in the beautiful region of eastern Ontario. There's so much that you could go on and do an adventure every day and find something beautiful to see and enjoy," added Parker. "You don't have to go far to have a great adventure and that's kind of the idea."
For trail locations and maps, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere website is a great resource.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.