MINDEMOYA—Thanks to the partnership program of Community Living Manitoulin (CLM) and Manitoulin Special Olympics (MSO), snowshoe and ski trails used by Manitoulin Special Olympics (MSO) athletes and residents of Maple Ridge in Mindemoya have been expanded.
“This is a partnership project of (MSO) and (CLM), with tremendous support being provided from donations and a grant that allowed us to expand our trails at Maple Ridge trails at Hope Farm,” said MSO snowshoe coach Judy Olacke, late last week.
Those who have supported the trails include TD Friends of the Environment, Central Manitoulin Lions Club, H & R Noble Construction, Cranston’s Tree Service, D.A. Williamson and Sons Hardware, Taylor Sawmill, Charles Love and the Providence Bay Lions Club.
Ms. Olacke explained “we had applied for funding through TD Friends of the Environment to expand the trails, for use by our (MSO) athletes and residents of Maple Ridge. There used to be trails on the property but they all grew in, so the grant we received allowed us to do the cutting necessary to open the trails again, with the bulldozer also used and mulching done. We also received in-kind donations from the local sponsors.”
“And we have volunteers like Rob Mellan who grooms the trails,” said Ms. Olacke. “Our athletes and residents (of Maple Ridge) are now able to use quality ski and snowshoe trails.”