Project 308
Earlier this summer the BEAST applied for OFSC TDF funding to refurbish a large portion of the 308 trail. If you are not aware where this is it is the connecting trail from 3 Mile Bay on White Lake to Clayton. The total distance of the trail is approximately 24km’s of the nastiest, stone infested, swamp straddling, beaver pond traversing, stumpy Canadian Shield Trail this side of Sudbury. No offence Sudbury. The extent of the work begins at Marshall Lake Road to the North to the start of “The Rocky Mile” approximately 15 km’s. The work on the trail began In early September with some grass cutting and brushing done by volunteers. After getting the green light from OFSC and our district the excavation work began on September 11th and finished up about Oct. 1st. The Contractor, Mike Truelove of Drummond Township, completed the work on time and on budget.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention a volunteer who spent many days working on and organizing work parties on this trail. Grant Penstone, a groomer operator, spent hours with the contractor and other volunteers clearing brush and cutting trees. All in all there would be more than 500 combined volunteer hours completed. One volunteer who was working on the second work Saturday commented that this trail is “gergis”. That is Grantspeak for great. The BEAST feels that these improvements will make that trail a must use this winter.
Many thanks must go to the landowners who allow us to use their land for our trail. There are a number of them all who completely supported the project and are grateful for the improvements made. It is definitely a winwin for all concerned.
Attached to this memo you will see a variety of pictures with captions describing the work. The pictures do not do it justice. The work performed is amazing.
As mentioned before the work performed is on private property. Access to this winter trail is by land use permission between the individual landowners and the OFSC. This is private property so access is only at the discretion of the landowners.
