The Saskatchewan Trails Association celebrated Saskatchewan Trails Day in conjunction with International Trails Day on June 3. This was an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the beautiful trails in the province and the STA was encouraging people to find their path on this day. The trails promote healthy living, economic development, tourism, and environmental preservation.
鈥淕o have an adventure, and discover the beauty of the Saskatchewan trails,鈥� said STA president Saul Lipton. 鈥淏ring your family, a friend, or have your own personal adventure. As part of the Saskatchewan Trails Day, the STA launched a month-long photo contest from June 1 to 30. The public can take photos of their favourite trails and submit them as often as they like to #SaskTrailsDay.鈥�
The best photo, as selected by the STA board of directors the week after the contest ends, will receive a prize package valued at $200. All photos become property of the STA and will be used to promote your favourite trails. The contest is part of the 鈥淛une is Recreation and Parks Month鈥� in the province.
Another initiative for Saskatchewan Trails Day will be the launch of the STA鈥檚 new Saskatchewan Rails to Trails manual. This 200-page manual will assist organizations that are interested in converting abandoned rail lines into usable trails and will be available for download at sasktrails.ca. 鈥淲hen we prepared this manual, we reviewed Saskatchewan rails-to-trails projects in all stages of development and interviewed people involved in those projects. We then developed step-by-step guidelines and compiled links to resources to help make rails-to-trails projects a success. This manual supports the STA鈥檚 vision to provide support to local trail clubs including resource materials, education programs regarding trail development, facilitating communication among trail clubs and fundraising,鈥� said Lipton.
The STA has the following suggestions to make the most of the province鈥檚 trails:
1. Try a New Trail: Visit www.sasktrails.ca, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out more information about trails and activities to do in your area.
2. Introduce a friend to your favourite trail for hiking: Share your love for nature and hiking in Saskatchewan with your friends.
3. Share your favourite trail photos with us #SaskTrailsDay. Pictures could be featured on the STA鈥檚 page and could win great prizes.
4. Become a Saskatchewan trails association member: Memberships are available for as little as $25 per year for an individual. STA members have accesses to trail funding and other resources, and can also attend and vote at meetings of members.
5. Donate to the STA: The STA accepts individual and corporate donations for communities, or to the trail of your choice, to help support trail development and maintenance programs in Saskatchewan. 聽
The STA was established in July 2004 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of the Trans Canada Trail and other recreational trails in Saskatchewan. The STA is also responsible for increasing trail usage and promoting trails in the province.
