The Peterborough Nordic Club was founded five years ago with the hope of bringing cross-country skiing to Peterborough, Ont.
Now, the not-for-profit organization maintains a stretch of the Trans Canada Trail extending from Atkinson Road to Jackson Park.
“Jackson Park is such a gem,” said club president Dave Dame. “Ninety per cent of our population (in Peterborough) live within a five-kilometre radius of the park so it is very accessible.”
The portion of the trail looked after by the club is under Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) jurisdiction.
“We’ve got four kilometres of trail,” said Dame. “We have an agreement with ORCA and we take care of the trail and they grant us access to it.”
That means the group is able to groom the trail for use. Access to the trail is not exclusive to club members, but Dame said membership fees of just $50 per year allow them to maintain the area.
He added that interest in the club is growing.
“We’ve got about 127 members this year,” said Dame. “We have certainly seen our numbers increase due to COVID, people are outdoors, they are active, and they are really appreciating the grooming and work we are doing to allow them to enjoy the trail.”
Brian Brown took up cross-country skiing four years ago. Now club vice-president, he said it is a great way to unwind for people of all ages.
“It is something that I was never into when I was younger, I got into it later in life,” said Brown. “It is good for mental health and it is just a good way to get outside and get some exercise.”
For more information or to join the club, you can visit the Peterborough Nordic Club website.