Remembering Ian Edwards: A Lasting Legacy on the Trail

Today was a special day on the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail in Carleton Place as a section of the trail was formally dedicated in memory of Ian Edwards (1962–2025).
 
Ian was a dedicated community volunteer, snowmobile club volunteer, trail builder, leader, and community champion who gave countless hours to improving and supporting our local trail network. His efforts helped secure funding for trail infrastructure, improve bridges and trails, organize volunteers, and complete the hands-on work needed to keep our trails moving forward. This dedication is a fitting tribute to someone who understood the importance of trails not only for recreation, but for bringing people and communities together.
 
A memorial bench has also been installed overlooking the trail on the bridge overlooking the Mississippi River. Take a moment to stop, reflect, and remember Ian and the difference one dedicated volunteer can make.
 
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this tribute possible and to those who joined us for the dedication.
 
Ian’s work will continue to be enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, snowmobilers, ATV riders and other trail users for many years to come. His legacy truly lives on through the trail and the community he helped build.
 
Thank you, Ian.
 

BEAST Sep 2026 Meeting

BEAST Sep 2026 Meeting
OLD Beckwith Township Office
1702 Beckwith 9th Line
Thursday 10 Sep 2026, 7:30pm meeting
Contact info@thebeast.ca for questions

UCSR Awards 2026 – Trailblazer Award

UCSR TRAILBLAZER AWARD
This is a district 1 initiative, designed to recognize an exclusive group of snowmobile volunteers,who have a long service dedication to the clubs in UCSR. Entry into this elusive club requires 25 or more years of continuous volunteering.
We have a few this year!! First up!!
From the B.E.A.S.T, ED GEIER!!
Thanks Ed, for a quarter century plus, of making trails better for all of us to enjoy!!! Presented by UCSR District 1 President, Tim Krause.

UCSR Awards 2026 – Outstanding Groomer Operator of the Year

UCSR OUTSTANDING GROOMER OPERATOR OF THE YEAR!! Awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to grooming operations. Roll out the red carpet, or should we say white !! For the B.E.A.S.T operator TODD RUSSELL!!!
Todd can always be counted on when he gets the call! Long before the snow flies, Todd can be found clearing the trails, ensuring the groomer can pass safely. Todd assists in all aspects of the grooming world, and plays a vital role in the club’s success. Thanks Todd for all your hard work and dedication, it’s easy to tell you love what you do!! Todd was unable to attend on Saturday, accepting the award is Beast President, Chris Angel, presented by, UCSR District 1 VP, Darren Livock.

UCSR Awards 2026 – Club of the Year

Club of the year, THE BEAST!!
Congratulations on a well deserved win!!! Exceptional contribution to the sport of snowmobiling,through club operations and volunteer management. Hats off TO ALL BEAST members!!!
Presenting the award is District 1 president Tim Krause, accepting is BEAST president Chris Angel!!! 😇

2026 UCSR Volunteer Lunch and Awards

2026 UCSR Volunteer Lunch and Awards. RSVP to info@ucsr.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UCSR President’s Message Fall 2025

President’s Message
To our Clubs, Volunteers, Landowners and Permit Buyers
As we head into the 2025-2026 season and as the Ontario Federation of snowmobile clubs (OFSC) Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) comes online we would like to address some changes that will be taking affect for this coming season.
As some of you may have heard, the OFSC issued direction to all districts to reduce their trail network in order to create some financial efficiencies. OFSC has capped the trail network size for the 2025/2026 at 25,500 km of trail (down from 31,000 kms in the previous season). District 1 / UCSR’s portion of that cut was approximately 21% of the network which represents a reduction of 689 km across the 16 clubs. This left roughly 2626 kms assigned to District 1/UCSR.
While the directive from the OFSC was most unfortunate, the clubs worked hard to come up with the best results to maintain the trail network. As you will see once the ITG launches, the district remains connected between clubs but with fewer trails.
Clubs are still working to secure landowner access with private, corporate and municipal landowners. This process takes some time and will carry on into the new year. As the ITG goes live you may not see all the OFSC trails in the district. Check the ITG regularly as updates happen daily. We are fully confident that the clubs will bring 2626 kms of eligible trails onto the ITG for the 2025-2026 season.
If you have any questions about the trails in your area, please reach out to your club https://ucsr.ca/clubs/
With that said, and understanding the difficulty and stress placed on volunteers over the past couple of months, please do not take your displeasure out on these people who put so much effort, energy, and passion into putting a trail system together every fall, regardless of the season that follows.
We would like to thank our landowners for their continued generosity, and volunteers for their continued support.
If you would like to learn more, please attend a club meeting, or even better please offer to volunteer some time to help supporting organized snowmobiling in your area.
The single biggest way riders can help protect the system is to buy their full season permit annually.
Use the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) / Go Snowmobiling Ontario Mobile Phone Application for current trail availability.
Given the major trail reductions since last year, always ride with the Go Snowmobiling Ontario Mobile Phone Application turned ON as this will help OFSC, UCSR and clubs prioritize future trails and development.
Contact the District if you want a copy of our 2026 Trail Guide. You can download PDF versions from our website at https://ucsr.ca/area-trail-guide/. Keep in mind, that the Trail Guide, and all its content, is provided on an ‘As Is’ basis based on the best information available at the time of printing.

BEAST Work Weekends Fall 2025

BEAST Work Weekends

Hi Everyone,
It’s that time of year again where we head out to the fields and the bush to get our trail network ready for another year.
Are you coming along to help?
The next 3 weekends are our main push to get our trail network set up before winter finally comes and lays out the final piece of the puzzle.
This Saturday, November 22nd will be our first organized day.
If you have been out with us before you likely already know who to get in touch with, if they haven’t reached out yet.
If you’re new to volunteering with us send us a message to info@thebeast.ca and let us know what area you live in and we will get you in touch with the proper folks for your area.
We have set up another Trail Permit draw this season so keep track of your hours and make sure you get your name in for the possibility to win a 2027 permit.
We take all skills and abilities, we have work for everyone!
Hopefully we’ll see you this weekend!

Chris Angell
President,
The BEAST

See the following link to Upper Canada Snowmobile Region for volunteer information.
https://ucsr.ca/volunteer-information/

OFSC Permits for 2026

UCSR Lottery 2025

https://ucsr.ca/lottery/
Contact your local club or etransfer to tickets@ucsr.ca
Lic: M880029