Just like you, I’m a huge fan of immersing myself in the great outdoors, taking a leisurely stroll or an invigorating bike ride down our local trails. It’s a fantastic way to breathe in some fresh air, soak up that Vitamin D, and get lost in my thoughts while appreciating my surroundings. But, have you ever delved into the history and culture that surrounds these trails? Let me tell you, there’s a wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered.
Recently, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet Ashley from Ramara Township and Analynn Faulkner from the Trails Committee. We embarked on an exploratory journey down a couple of the trails Ramara has available. Hearing about the historical significance, cultural heritage, and the dedication that goes into maintaining these trails was nothing short of a revelation.
Our first stop was the Ramara Trail, nestled just off Highway 12. Spanning 5 km, this walking and biking trail extends all the way to Casino Rama! If you ever plan to avoid the parking frenzy during a popular concert, this trail is your ticket. Safe from highway traffic, scenic, and well-kept, the Ramara Trail is the oldest among the three trails in the township.
The trail starts at the Narrows, home to fish weirs built by the Mnjikaning First Nation people. “Mnjikaning,” an Ojibway word, translates to “the place of the fish fence.” This ingenious method of driving stakes into the bottom of the Narrows to direct fish to their nets is recognized as a national historic site – the largest and best-preserved wooden fish weirs in eastern North America. Carbon dating estimates suggest these stakes are over five thousand years old!
Formerly a decommissioned CN rail line, the Ramara Trail is now part of the esteemed Trans-Canada Trail system. The vision is to one day connect the Ramara Trail with the Washago Trail for an unparalleled experience for cyclists and walkers alike.
We owe it all to Analynn! In the early 2000s, after coming across the abandoned rail line, she was inspired to approach the township and convince them to allow her to convert it into a trail for the community. Today, she and her committee members fundraise and maintain these trails themselves. They even installed the benches and built the bridges we cross. They are the unsung heroes who make our adventures possible.
Next on our list was the Lagoon City trail, a haven for herons. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any during our visit, but we did catch sight of a baby one! This trail also partners with the Ramara Library to create a unique experience for young kids called Story Walk. All Along the trail are small posts with storyboards that encourage you to seek out the next section of the story as you walk along the trail. I immediately thought of how much my kids would enjoy walking along this trail together discovering section after section of this cute story!
The tranquility of this trail is truly unmatched. It’s level and easily travelled – perfect for families or individuals who may have trouble with inclines. The Township plans to extend this trail towards Concession 7 as an alternative route for cyclists to bypass Highway 12.
We’re incredibly privileged to live in such a picturesque region. Before winter makes its appearance again, do yourself a favour – explore these trails. You’ll discover parts of our area that you might not have ventured into before!
