Chelsea Trails

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Over the last few years The Chelsea Ski Challenge along the old rail right of way has experienced sunny skies with icy trails, and freezing rain with slippery roads. This year dished out sub-tropical temperatures in the -25C range, wind, and ideal snow conditions on well set ski tracks.  Nevertheless, even after Montreal closed its winter celebrations because of predicted inclement weather, Chelseaites proved, yet again that they are made of sterner stuff. They ventured out in spite of weather warnings to more timid souls elsewhere.

Sunday, January 20 from 10 am to 4 pm was the time for the 2019 Chelsea Ski Challenge under the banner of the Municipality’s “Winter Fun Days.”   This year, many locals took up the Challenge on the winter community trail.   Continue reading →

2018 was a remarkable year for Sentiers Chelsea Trails. You, our volunteers, members, supporters and sponsors have been involved in projects all over Chelsea that have connected residents and neighbourhoods with nature for now and for the future.

In a rapidly changing municipality, it is vitally important to preserve existing trails wherever possible, and to look for opportunities to develop new active transportation connections. Continue reading →

Get your friends and family out to enjoy the Chelsea Winter Community trail. If you want to join the challenge, just register at one of the access points.  No matter how far you go or whether you’re travelling on skis, your feet, snow shoes or fat bikes, everyone with a card is eligible to enter the draw and win prizes from our sponsors  Greg Christie’s Ski & Cycleworks and the  Nordik Spa-Nature.  To get involved, just pick up a card when you arrive at the trail and get it stamped when you visit one or more access points. The trail is groomed for 20 kilometers or even 40 km if you’re keen and go back and forth. Transcollines, will offer regular shuttle buses between the four major access points.  And there will be pop up snack stops along the trail where you can  fuel up on treats and hot chocolate generously provided by Les Fougères and Une Boulangerie dans un village  and Fair Trade Chelsea.

In addition to treats, you can warm up with a chili lunch Voie Verte Chelseawill be selling chili at the warm, cosy kitchen of Mill Road Community Space access point. and the Gatineau Valley Historic Society will display the interpretive panels trail history panels. (For more details on Winter Festival activities check http://www.chelsea.ca).

On Sunday, October 21, show your love for active living and join the  Grande marche Chelsea-La Pêche l a 5-km walk  along the Gatineau River led by the mayors of Chelsea and La Pêche.  Its all part of the Défi Pierre Lavoie www.gdplmd.com taking place in at least 75 towns and cities across Quebec.

This leisurely community walk will start at the Farm Point Park (33 River Road) and will end at the Wakefield-La Pêche Centre (38 Wakefield Valley Road). There will be parking at the start and finish points, as well as a shuttle service between the two.This is not a race, but an opportunity to unite with others in the community to encourage young people and communities to get out and play sports and develop healthy and active life styles which is the Défi Pierre Lavoie’s mission. Hope to see you there!

Check the Chelsea website for updates and info: www.chelsea.ca.

Good News! Work started last week on the leveling of the Chelsea Community Trail between Burnett and Welka. This follows from the leveling work that was done between Morrison Quarry and Burnett last fall.  The passage of a bulldozer has loosened the surface and pulled up many roots and debris. Make a contribution to the grooming of the trail. If you are walking the trail clear it of any loose roots, debris or branches.  Chelsea Trails is working with the Community Trails Committee and Voie Verte Chelsea to try and have the surface improved and brush and the grass cut over the next weeks.

You are invited to join in the SCT hike on Saturday, June 2nd, during Chelsea Days. The hike will start at 10 am, at the Meredith Centre and will last approximtely 1.5 hour. Come discover the beauty of the fauna and flora of trails between the Meredith Centre and the Hydro Quebec lands close to the Gatineau River with famous Chelsea photographer Geoff Burbidge! Bring your friends and families. Don’t forget your insect repellent, your hat and comfortable shoes. For more information on Chelsea Days, visit the municipality’s website http://www.chelsea.ca/?q=node/3254&lg=en.

SCT held its annual general meeting on Monday, April 30 at the Mill Road Community Space. Some 30 people participated in the discussions and presentations. Michel Gravel, outgoing president, presented an overview of the various trail projects that SCT worked on in the last year. To find out more, please see the presentation .

SCT gave a cheque of $8,000 to Mayor Caryl Green to help cover the costs of grooming the Chelsea Winter Trail.

The SCT Board also thanked Suzanne Cayer for her donation of $1,119 that she raised during her 800 km walk. The Board also thanked Michel Gravel, who retired from the Board,  for his dedication to SCT over the nine years of his presidency.

On March 17, 2018, Chelsea residents will have a chance to be part of the design process for the community trail along the railway corridor. The Municipality has hired consultants to hold a design charrette for all residents on Saturday, March 17^th as well as a pre-charrette meeting for residents living adjacent to the trail on March 14th.

SCT has been closely involved in the transformation of this corridor since the beginning. In 2015, SCT presented a vision document to the Municipal council and staff to propose a feasibility study.  Since that time, a lot of research and community consultations have occurred allowing us to refine our original vision. Here is our revised,  fleshed out Trail Vision 2.0  prepared by the SCT board as a contribution to the upcoming design process.