PREECEVILLE — The Preeceville Lions Club and many community volunteers have been busy working on expanding the Family Trail on the south side of the Town of Preeceville.
The trail system was the brainchild of the club members, who were looking for another major project to do in the community. They made the decision in 2018 to start building a walking, hiking trail system in the summer, also to be utilized as a ski trail in the winter. They began the slow process of clearing bush and making a trail that started at the north side of town. It took many volunteers and hard work but a trail began to take shape. The first few kilometers took the trail around Annie Laurie Lake and the project has continued to grow over the years. “Each year we progress and add more to the trail system with hopes to eventually have an eight-mile trail that circles the Town of Preeceville,” said Ralph Ager, Preeceville Lions representative.
Recently the cub added another one-and-a-half miles on the south side of town. It runs from behind C Horts Autobody and runs adjacent to the railway bed coming up to the Esso gas station. The club hopes to keep expanding the trail on the north side to complete the circle.
The Preeceville Lions Family Trail is multi-purpose for cross-country skiing in winter, as well as walking and biking in summer. The trail is a simple loop with a couple of cross paths. It is an easy trail, mostly flat. It winds through aspen trees and hugs Annie Laurie Lake to the north. The trailhead is located at the north end of Preeceville at the Wildlife Park. Easy access is available from several other spots in town.
The trail committee maintains the ski trail in the winter using a snow machine that makes two tracks. The trail committee plans to expand the trail and include warmup shelters and improved signing. The club has made a ski chalet that was put up at the entrance of the trail on the north side of town.
