Dear ECTA Supporters, Well, if we wanted snow, we certainly got it! This will be a great week out on the trails for all of our winter recreation fans! A few reminders on winter trail etiquette:
1) Try to avoid walking, riding or cycling through cross country ski tracks when possible
2) Be cautious of trail conditions on warmer days – look behind you, are you leaving deep hoofprints or tire ruts on the trail? If so, head for drier ground or come back on another day 3) Respect landowners’ requests – if a trail is marked as closed, please do not use it!
Read on below for details on our events-filled spring calendar and to learn more about our expanded Trail Steward program!
Explore The Trails With Us Every Month
We kicked off our 2013 Monthly Trail Events program on January 26th with a 4 mile hike from Appleton Farms to Patton Park, followed by a hearty lunch at The Black Cow in Hamilton. To see pictures from the event,click here. Our next event will be the Ski to the Village Pancake House in Rowley on February 23rd. These monthly events are a great way to explore new trails, learn about the wildlife and history of the area, and meet fellow trail enthusiasts!
Do you know how ECTA monitors over 450 miles of trails? We currently have 23 trail stewards who regularly walk or ride the trails and report back to us on the conditions in their area. We have recently refined and expanded our Trail Steward program and have mapped out designated monitoring zones. We still have a few zones that need coverage. To learn more about our Trail Steward program and monitoring zones, click on the link below.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Equine Expo and Paraphernalia Sale! This popular event, now in it’s 18th year, will be held at the Topsfield Fairgrounds Arena Building on April 27th. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day and, as always, many great vendors will be on location selling new and used goods! Vendor booths and sponsorships are still available, and ECTA is seeking donations for our silent auction and sale tables.
The retailers below offer ECTA members great discounts on goods and services.
Farm Bar and Grille
Ipswich Inn
Wenham Sports Stop
Zumi’s Coffee Shop
First Light Anglers
Pinnacle Bikes
New England Running Co
Green Elephant Toys
Grassy Roots
True North Gallery
North Shore Dressage
