Family Day Fun on Moraine

This blog is the second in a series that celebrates the Oak Ridges Moraine and engages readers in the upcoming review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Learn more about the moraine and plan review by visiting marvellousmoraine.ca.

The Oak Ridges Moraine is a natural playground for the young and the young at heart. Its rolling hills, kettle lakes and forested trails make it an oasis for winter activities. Here is a list of moraine hotspots for outdoor fun and exercise this Family Day weekend.

Take a hike on the 6.6-kilometer nature trail in Cold Creek Conservation Area in King Township. It’s a prime example of a natural linkage area on the moraine. Photograph by Robert Brown.

Looking for a little guidance and company as you explore the moraine? Join the Oak Ridges Trails Association on Sunday at 10 a.m. for a guided hike.

Try cross-country skiing in the Durham Regional Forest in the Town of Uxbridge where you can take your pick between shorter trails like the Lickety Split (533 metres) or longer trails like Red Oak (3,338 metres). Choice is abundant in this forest at its trails intersect with those of other trail systems. Photograph by Jason Kalmbach.

The Ganaraska Forest Centre ski trails in Port Hope are groomed, track-set and ready for your enjoyment! Purchase a membership or a pass and enjoy lunch at the delicious Ganaraska Forest Centre Canteen.

If you’re really adventurous, try winter kite-boarding on Rice Lake, but be careful not to blow away! The eight annual Snow Kite Weekend on Rice Lake happened last month. Photograph by Art McLeod.

Enjoy ice-fishing over the weekend at the Golden Beach Resort, located along the south shore of Rice Lake. To encourage families to enjoy the outdoors, Ontarians can fish without a licence from February 14-16.

Don’t forget to take a break to enjoy the moraine’s scenery after burning those calories, like this snowshoe enthusiast is doing in the Kawarthas. Photograph by Carol Lunney.

For more recreation hot spots on the moraine, check out Exploring the Oak Ridges Moraine in the winter issue of ON Nature Magazine.

EcoSpark is part of the Oak Ridges Moraine Partnership for 2015, which promotes the appreciation of the Oak Ridges Moraine and engagement in the upcoming review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Other partnership members include Earthroots, Ontario Nature and STORM coalition.

Joyce Chau was the Executive Director of EcoSpark, is part of the Oak Ridges Moraine Partnership along with Earthroots, Ontario Nature and STORM coalition.