Stewardship & Volunteering

It is springtime and the Lakefield Trail needs you! Come lend a hand to help spread limestone screenings and pick up garbage along the Trail, and spread mulch around our Native Plant Garden.

Meet at the Shade Shelter at the base of Reid Street on the river (by St. Paul's Catholic Church) at 9:00 AM to start the work. If possible, please bring a shovel, heavy rake and a wheelbarrow. Don't forget working gloves, if you need them. 

• Questions? Please call Bruce Bellchambers of the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee at 705-652-5115.

Formed in 2001, the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation of the Lakefield Trail. The Stewardship Committee liaises with Selwyn Township's Parks & Recreation Department at the sub-committee level.

The goals of the Stewardship Committee are to:

• Organize fundraising activities for Trail maintenance and enhancements,
• Promote natural environment education and recreational activities, and
• Promote all local and area trails.

The Stewardship Committee normally meets on the first Tuesday of every month (except July and August) at 5:30 PM in the Centennial Room of Memorial Hall in Lakefield. Meetings are open to the community.

Due to COVID 19, meetings are presently being held monthly on Zoom. If you are interested in joining the Stewardship Committee or sitting in on one of the meetings, they would love to hear from you. Please e-mail Chair Bruce Bellchambers at bellcham@nexicom.net and he will provide you with the meeting link.

In addition to the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee, many Volunteer Stewards maintain designated sections of the Trail. Our Volunteer Stewards are responsible for litter control and reporting any damage to the Trail, it's benches or trees to the Stewardship Committee.

We currently have a few sections of the Trail that need a Steward's care.

Volunteer and become a part of the Lakefield Trail! This is your opportunity to help share your experiences, be a part of a team, learn new skills and develop lasting friendships. Volunteering for the Lakefield Trail will allow you to choose from a variety of opportunities with various levels of commitment.

If you are interested in supporting the Lakefield Trail as a volunteer, below are some of the opportunities:

• Become a Trail Stewardship Committee member. We meet one evening a month in Lakefield.
• Assist with general trail maintenance such as litter pick-up, spreading limestone screenings, and carpentry.

• Lend a hand at trail events such as the May spring nature walk, the Lakefield Jazz Festival booth, and the August sidewalk sale booth.

• Install benches.

• Assist with planting, especially at the Trailside Garden this spring.