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Paddle Day on the Lakefield Marsh

It was not billed as the first annual Family Paddling Day, however the inaugural event that took place on Thursday evening was a great success and is sure to be repeated.

Over 25 canoes and kayaks filled with close to 60 people hit the waters of the Lakefield Marsh and Katchewanooka Lake in an event associated with National Canoe Day.

The public was urged to come out and bring their own paddle propelled boat and those that did not have access to a canoe or kayak simply phoned Adventure Outfitters and a seat in a Paluski boat was supplied at no charge.

Once on the water participants were treated to a nature talk delivered by Dennis Gagne, a former Ministry of Natural Resources employee and kayak craftsman.

Paddlers learned how the marsh was formed and which species of wildlife call the marsh home.

After approximately an hour and a half paddle participants came ashore at the Lakefield beach where a fire was stoked and the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee had hotdogs on sticks ready to be roasted over an open flame.

The food was free, however donations were accepted for the Lakefield Trail.

Jennie MacKenzie of the Lakefield Pantry not only came up with the idea for a Family Paddling Day event in Lakefield, but also baked a cake shaped like a canoe on the marsh.

Family Paddling Day was a free event sponsored by Adventure Outfitters, Paluski Boats, The Lakefield Pantry, The Lakefield Trail Stewardship committee, The Canadian Canoe Museum and The Lakefield Herald.

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