The Three-Mile Rehabilitation Project (proposed)
Restoring community trails in the heart of Larose
A three-mile section in the middle of Larose Forest’s blue equestrian trail is in poor condition and continues to deteriorate each season. At this rate, travelling across the forest via the blue trail may soon become unsafe. To prevent this, OATREC is raising $20,000 to restore the trail, with the repairs to be completed by the United Counties of Prescott Russell between 2026 and 2027.
OATREC has already allocated $3,000 towards the Three-Mile Rehabilitation Project and is seeking donations and sponsorships to make up the rest of the needed funds.
OATREC has already allocated $3,000 towards the Three-Mile Rehabilitation Project and is seeking donations and sponsorships to make up the rest of the needed funds.
Donate now!
To make donations easy, we offer three different options:
- E-transfer to [email protected]
- Recommended for custom amounts
- Cheque to 1165 Sauternes Park, Ottawa, ON, K1C 2H3
- Please make out to "OATREC", with memo '3RP'.
- Donate below
- The easiest option!
Please note as a non profit organization, we do not provide receipts for donations. We can however, provide confirmation of a deposit for your records. We are deeply grateful for your invaluable support. Please watch this space for details on how we will recognize your contribution. Thank you!
Frequently asked questions
who and what IS OATREC?
The Ottawa Area Trail Riding Equestrian Community (OATREC) is a registered not-for-profit organization run by a group of passionate volunteers. We have been dedicated to maintaining and developing equestrian trails in the Larose Forest for the past 20 years.
We are the official representative for equestrians in Larose Forest, with a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, who own and manage the forest.
We are the official representative for equestrians in Larose Forest, with a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, who own and manage the forest.
WHAT DOES OATREC DO in the larose forest?
As the official representatives of equestrian community, OATREC:
* Special events in Larose Forest are often run under the OATREC insurance, as most other organizations do not carry the level of insurance required by the UCPR to use forest trails.
- Encourages equestrian trail use, including for competitions and special events (e.g., Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association (OCTRA) endurance riding competitions). *
- Promotes safe trail use by coordinating and providing insurance for members and day pass holders to comply with UCPR requirements.
- Spearheads ongoing maintenance and future development of equestrian trails by actively collaborating with the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR).
- Manages funds responsibly, effectively and transparently.
* Special events in Larose Forest are often run under the OATREC insurance, as most other organizations do not carry the level of insurance required by the UCPR to use forest trails.
how is oatrec funded?
As a volunteer-run organization, OATREC’s initiatives are funded entirely through annual memberships and day passes.
why is the three-mile rehabilitation project so IMPORTANT?
The blue equestrian trails have become increasingly muddy, rooty, and difficult, resulting in a steep decline in annual memberships, daily trail passes, and special events. With ongoing costs for mandatory insurance and banking, OATREC will soon be operating at a loss.
Given that the United Counties of Prescott-Russell will only support equestrian use of Larose if there is an official organization representing it, both the viability of OATREC as an organization and the continued presence of equestrians in Larose Forest are in jeopardy.
Given that the United Counties of Prescott-Russell will only support equestrian use of Larose if there is an official organization representing it, both the viability of OATREC as an organization and the continued presence of equestrians in Larose Forest are in jeopardy.
why is the three-mile rehabilitation project so urgent?
OATREC anticipates that within a few years, it will no longer be consistently safe to get from one side of the forest to the other using the blue equestrian trail. This also means the loss of a contiguous 9.5 km (almost 6 mile) trail segment in the Larose Forest.
The longer we wait to act, the more expensive the project will become as trails continue to degrade.
The longer we wait to act, the more expensive the project will become as trails continue to degrade.
Image taken in August 2024, showing a flooded section of trail in the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project area
WHY IS THE THREE-MILE REHABILITATION PROJECT AREA A PROBLEM IN PARTICULAR?
The Larose Forest is in a very marshy, low-lying area of Eastern Ontario with several waterways draining into, or through, the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project area (see topographic map, below). Trails naturally deteriorate over time; however, over the last decade, increased rainfall and extreme weather events have accelerated and worsened these effects, meaning that several segments of the blue trail are consistently wet or flooded, very susceptible to damage from hooves, and unable to rebound from wear and tear.
CAN YOU DETOUR AROUND THIS AREA?
The Larose Forest is comprised predominantly of low-lying marshland (see satellite map, below) particularly in the proposed Three Mile Rehabilitation Project area. Other than gravel concessions and roads to the north and south, shown as grey on the map, the blue equestrian trail is the only passage through these marsh areas. Repairing the existing blue equestrian trail would be significantly cheaper than creating a new raised path through these marsh areas.
how did you arrive at an estimated $20,000 project cost?
The United Counties of Prescott-Russell has provided the $20,000 figure as what they need to complete the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project. Funding could be provided as it becomes available (i.e., work split over several seasons). The $20,000 covers heavy machinery, staff time, and materials (e.g., culverts). The vast majority of the sum is for time and machinery, as most material used on the trail is sourced from further along or beside the trail, where available.
what is oatrec contributing to the project?
OATREC is contributing $3,000 towards the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project, representing almost the entirety of our trail fund.
Why does OATREC have to provide funding, and can other user groups assist?
The United Counties of Prescott-Russell requires that all user groups in the Larose Forest (e.g., ATV, snowmobile, dirt bikes, mush, bikes) contribute funds and manpower to maintain their trails to a safe standard.
The blue equestrian trail is a dual-use equestrian and ski trail, and the Counties maintain ski trails for the community free of charge. The blue equestrian trail in its current condition is acceptable for winter use and the Counties do not need to improve the trail for their purposes. Therefore, as the official equestrian organization for Larose Forest, OATREC is the only user group who needs the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project, and the burden of fundraising falls on us.
The blue equestrian trail is a dual-use equestrian and ski trail, and the Counties maintain ski trails for the community free of charge. The blue equestrian trail in its current condition is acceptable for winter use and the Counties do not need to improve the trail for their purposes. Therefore, as the official equestrian organization for Larose Forest, OATREC is the only user group who needs the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project, and the burden of fundraising falls on us.
could someone do the work more cheaply?
The United Counties of Prescott-Russell has agreed that an external contractor could be used to complete the work. This would be a formal agreement with the Counties, with several stringent stipulations including extensive commercial insurance, supervision, and quality control. OATREC is actively pursuing the option of a lower-cost alternative to using the Counties for the project.
how do other equestrian trail networks deal with similar challenges?
OATREC has spoken with representatives and users of several other key forest equestrian networks in Ontario and Quebec, and Larose Forest is unique in several ways. Other forest equestrian networks are located on higher ground, where damage from hooves and extreme weather events is significantly minimized. Maintenance is often subsidized by local authorities or able to be done by hand by volunteers, and collaboration with other user groups is key.
Unfortunately, these circumstances are not applicable to the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project.
Unfortunately, these circumstances are not applicable to the Three Mile Rehabilitation Project.
how will oatrec raise $20,000?
OATREC will be raising money through a variety of methods, including (but not limited to):
More details on fundraising will be on our website and Facebook page when available.
- Soliciting aid (resources and volunteers) from equestrian groups and organizations who use the forest
- Canvassing local businesses and equestrian businesses for corporate sponsorship
- Hosting a fundraising ride in 2026
- Providing links on our website for direct donations
More details on fundraising will be on our website and Facebook page when available.
how will oatrec recognize donors and sponsors?
OATREC will be offering several tiers of recognition, and will use several mechanisms to show our gratitude, including (but not limited to):
More details on sponsorship recognition will be on our website and Facebook page when available.
- Naming sponsors on our website
- Adding sponsor names to trailhead maps
- Adding signage along the trail identifying sponsors
More details on sponsorship recognition will be on our website and Facebook page when available.
how will donors and stakeholders track project progress?
OATREC will be updating its website and Facebook page throughout the project’s lifecycle to provide progress reports and engage with the equestrian and local community.
