St. Lawrence Parks Commission & Elizabethtown Snowmobile Club Pilot Partnership Agreement

To enhance safety on the Thousand Islands Parkway Multi-Use Recreational Trail in the winter months, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) has launched a pilot project partnership with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) District 1 Elizabethtown Snowmobile Club (ESC) to create an OFSC snowmobile trail along the trail.  

About the Pilot Partnership


Snowmobiling has been allowed along the trail since 2014. Now, under the pilot partnership, the OFSC will require all snowmobilers to hold an OFSC permit and to follow OFSC rules.

ESC will provide trail marking and maintenance as well as trail wardening, making the trail safer for all users. Additionally, the ESC will provide grooming services during the winter months, creating a packed snow trail that is safe for walking pedestrians and other sport and recreation users.  

The pilot partnership between SLPC & EFSC will create safer conditions for all users of the trail this winter. The ESC will now perform winter grooming maintenance of the trail, defining a path for snowmobilers with dedicated signage and oversight. 

Residents are asked for their cooperation in continuing to refrain from plowing the trail as it creates safety hazards for users, maintenance issues with the asphalt due to freeze-thaw cycles and could result in liability for those operating the plowing equipment. Private plowing of the trail is restricted to ensure the safety of all trail users. Unauthorized plowing of the trail by local residents increases the risk of liability to the individuals conducting the plowing. 

Only specific sections of the north lane (green space north of the paved recreational trail) may be plowed by permit holders that have applied, paid for, and who have been granted a Controlled Access Entrance Permit in order to gain safe access to their private property.

We would like to ensure the safety of the community and visitors while utilizing the trail. We ask that everyone respect the trail, the safety of its users and the sensitivity of the infrastructure. 

All Trail Users: Non-motorized users always have the right of way. Expect and respect all other trail users and obey all trail signs and rules. Trail use at own risk.  

Snowmobile Users: are now required to have a permit from the OFSC to use OFSC Trail E63 (31 kilometres along the Thousand Islands Parkway Multi-Purpose Trail) for snowmobiling.

  • A valid license and insurance are also required.
  • Stay on the trail. Do not divert from the marked trail.
  • Motorized vehicles other than snowmobiles (with valid OFSC permit) such as ATVs, side-by-sides and golf carts are prohibited on the trail.  

  

Actions Taken

  • On February 5, 2021, St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Front of Yonge, and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands placed safety messaging on their respective websites and social media channels notifying residents living along the Thousand Islands Parkway to refrain from plowing the recreational trail.

Trail Etiquette Facebook Post

  • On March 4, 2021, an initial virtual meeting took place with Ontario Trails Council, St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Front of Yonge Township, and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.

  • On March 23, 2021, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission in partnership with the Ontario Trails Council, Front of Yonge, and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands announced the start of a Trails Alliance. A coordinated approach was proposed to resolve the challenges encountered with the plowing of the multi-use recreational trail along the Thousand Islands Parkway.

View News Release

  • On April 28, 2021, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ontario Trails Council.

  • On June 2 and 3, 2021, the first set of public meetings took place virtually.

  • On June 29, 2021, the core leadership group met to discuss mission, mandate, vision, roles and responsibilities, organizational structure and to prepare for the next public meeting.
  • On September 28 and 29, 2021 St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) and the Ontario Trails Council (OTC) held a wrap-up public-facing meeting to introduce the new Thousand Islands Parkway Trail Advisory Committee (TIPTAC) to the community. An independent body to help guide decision-making for the Thousand Islands Parkway Multi-Use Recreational Trail, the committee took on plans to resolve concerns around winter use.
  • In November 2021, risk management considerations were explored with insight provided by Ontario Trail Council, OFSC and risk management professionals.
  • From December 2021 to spring of 2022, TIPTAC explored various winter use solutions. Trail grooming was the preferred solution, however a potential partnership with the OFSC to provide grooming services could not be implemented due to legislative restrictions under the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act.
  • In September 2022, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Smith-Gatckie advocated through the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for a legislative exemption to be granted to allow for snowmobile traffic to cross Highway 137.
  • In November 2022 SLPC was advised by MTO staff that an exemption has been made to current MTO legislation that prohibits snowmobiles from crossing Highway 137 (an intersection along the Thousand Islands Parkway trail), allowing for the creation of an OFSC trail on the Thousand Islands Parkway Multi-Use Recreational Trail.
  • In December 2022, SLPC signed an agreement with the ESC to create a pilot project partnership with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) District 1 club, to create an OFSC snowmobile trail along the trail.  
  • In November 2023, an agreement was signed between SLPC and ESC to allow for the continuation of the pilot project partnership, whereby ESC will maintain and groom a multi-use recreational path, where conditions are favourable for grooming, for another winter season.