On Sunday, February 11th, representatives from ParkBus, Parks Canada and MEC welcomed a group of newcomer families from Ryerson Community School and Orde St Public School to usher in the Chinese New Year with a winter hike in Rouge National Urban Park.

The group, together with the representatives and the settlement workers, Lucy Zhuang and Stanley Teo, put on snowshoes and hiked the snowy Vista Trail Loop. Throughout the trip, the participants learned more about staying warm and comfortable in cold weather, Rouge National Urban Park and an overview of snowshoeing. At the end of the hike, snacks, tea and hot chocolate were also served.

We often blame the snow for getting in our way but on this day, the group managed to slow down and enjoy the serenity of its beauty.  It was a pleasure to witness the glittering snowflakes on the tree branches in a park that is entirely blanketed in powdery snow. Of a greater pleasure is the look on the newcomer families, all of whom are trying out snowshoeing and hiking in the snow for the first time.

This trip would not have been possible without the generous support from Park Bus and Parks Canada and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

By Lucy Zhuang & Stanley Teo