Ready to help
Clarence-Rockland firefighters and Prescott-Russell paramedics were on hand in case of emergency and to provide information at the Larose Forest Day. Vetter photo
Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
LIMOGES – The winter edition of Larose Forest Day on Sat., Feb. 24, provided a perfect opportunity for members of the public, particularly children, to ride on a dog sled pulled by very energetic sled dogs, as well as take part in other winter trail activities.
A different type of sledding
Alexandre and Emily Champagne of Russell enjoyed sitting behind the dogs on the sled owned by Dana Cranstone of the Mush Larose dogsled club. The club brought their dogs and sleds out to the forest and gave rides to the public as part of Larose Forest Day on Feb. 24.
Vetter photo
The day was mild and snow on the trails granular, offering enough base for the dogs to run on at the northern end of the parking area off Indian Creek Rd. northeast of Limoges. The hobby dogsledding group, Mush Larose, offered its annual opportunity for the public to experience dogsledding. Members of the recreational club brought their own sleds and their own dogs, all of which seemed very happy to see, hear and smell each other.
Member Dana Cranstone said the once-yearly event is a way of thanking the community for allowing the group to use the forest. “It’s our way of saying thanks for the trails,” she said.
The day also offered horse-drawn sleigh rides from Gentle Giant Stables, a bonfire, information, and the presence of Clarence Rockland firefighters and Prescott Russell paramedics. In addition, lots of people came out to enjoy the trails on fat bikes, snowshoes and cross-country skis. Those particular trails are for non-motorized vehicles only, but some other trails in the forest allow ATVs.
Other activities available in the forest include horseback riding, birding and dog-walking. On a date to be announced in October the forest offers another Forest Day and the inauguration of the Henri Latreille shelter, unveiling of the new logo, and the launch of the Heritage Tree Poster Contest. Currently, plans for activities that day include horseback riding, tree identification, logging history, a nature walk, birding, mushroom identification, the history of the Village of Grant, and highlighting several points of interest.
A barbecue lunch will be available for nominal cost between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants should confirm their attendance ahead of time: 613-487-4103, 1-800-667-6307, extension 7101 or mbesner@prescott-russell.on.ca.
Larose Forest was initiated almost 100 years ago when agronomist Ferdinand Larose undertook a conifer plantation on sandy lands that were abandoned due to soil erosion after tree cover had been removed by farming practices. Today, the Larose Forest is owned and managed by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and covers over 11,000 hectares.
More than 18-million trees have been planted there, making it the second largest community forest in Ontario. It includes conifers, wetlands, mixed forest and is crisscrossed by the South Nation River, many smaller creeks and over 200 kilometres of roads and trails.
