Spending time outside in the winter is affordable, and good for you! So far this winter, the temperatures have been cold, but snow has been in short supply for outdoor activities. But, every community across the region offers free, or very low-cost outdoor recreation facilities for families, friends, and neighbours to enjoy together. There are many places to enjoy a walk, some skating, and if conditions permit, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Free facilities
Champlain Township
Vankleek Hill
There is an outdoor rink at Mill Street Park, beside the Vankleek Hill Community Centre. Currently, the rink is open.
The outdoor rinks in L’Orignal and at Miner Park are currently closed.
For the schedules for regular skating and hockey, and updates on rink conditions, opening, and closures, go to https://www.champlain.ca/en/recreation-and-leisure/outdoor-rinks.aspx.
Hawkesbury
Outdoor rinks at Larocque Park and Old Mill Park are currently open. The rink at Cadieux Park is currently closed. For updates on rink conditions, openings, and closures, check https://www.hawkesbury.ca/en/recreation-and-community/parks-and-infrastructures/parks-and-outdoor-rinks.
St-Eugène
Two outdoor rinks are available at Samuel Reilley Park.
Alfred and Plantagenet
Alfred
Larocque Park has an outdoor rink and trails through the forest for walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing when conditions permit.
Outdoor rinks are also provided at Lefaivre Park, Plantagenet Park, Curran Park, and Denis St-Pierre Park in Wendover.
The Nation
Outdoor rinks are maintained at Fournier Park, Jean-Paul Charlebois Park in St-Bernardin, Limoges, Jean-Maurice Lavergne Park in St-Albert, and Forest Park. To keep updated on rink conditions, go to The Nation Municipality Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=995724395922206&set=a.231966815631305.
North Glengarry
Alexandria
Whenever conditions allow, there is an outdoor skating rink on Mill Pond at Island Park.
The Friends of Glengarry Trails Association maintains a 15-kilometre network of trails through forests and wetlands, all accessible from in or near Alexandria. All the trails are marked and are easy for walking and snowshoeing. For maps and parking information, go to https://glengarrytrails.com.
Outdoor rinks are maintained in Dalkeith and Glen Robertson, whenever conditions permit.
Grenville
There is a covered, outdoor rink at Parc Normand-Woodbury on rue Tri-Jean. Beside the rink, there is a short skating path.
Brownsburg-Chatham
An outdoor rink, and an illuminated skating path through a wooded area are open at the municipal campground on Route 344/Route des Outaouais, subject to weather conditions. There are also 5.5 kilometres of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails are also open at the campground when conditions allow.
In Brownsburg-Chatham, there are also outdoor rinks at Parc Roland-Cadieux, Parc de la Nature, and Parc de la Caserne de Pine Hill.
For updates on rink conditions and openings, go to https://brownsburgchatham.ca/loisirs-et-culture/patinoires-et-activites-hivernales.
Lachute
There are three outdoor rinks in Lachute. They are located at Parc Barron, Parc Ayers, and at École Polyvalente Lavigne. To check if the rinks are open and for conditions, go to https://lachute.ca/loisirs-culture-et-vie-communautaire/patinoires-exterieures.
St-André-d’Argenteuil
The outdoor rink at Parc École St-André is open to the public. For hours and conditions, check at https://stada.ca/ouverture-de-la-patinoire-exterieure.
Photos: James Morgan
