Jump into Sydenham Lake to cool off at the Point beach. There will be a lifeguard present for supervised swimming. Waterfront games will be organized by South Frontenac’s Day Camp Counsellors. Pack your bathing suit, towels, goggles and don’t forget sunscreen!
July 25th, 2025 - The Point Park, Sydenham
Lakes and Trails Festival
July 12th, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, The Point Park, Sydenham
Lakes and Trails Festival 2025
The Lakes and Trails Festival is an invitation to embrace the outdoors, celebrate our shared heritage, and create memories that ripple across the water and echo through the forests. Together, we’ll weave a tapestry of connection, adventure, and appreciation for the natural wonders that surround us.
The event takes place at The Point Park in Sydenham. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Here's the Scoop
Supervised Swim and Water Games - 10am - 4pm
Kids Nature Craft Station - 10am - 4pm
Stop by our drop-in Creative Station, where imagination meets the outdoors! Bring your own rocks and sticks to create nature-inspired masterpieces. Perfect for all ages and completely free to explore!
Elements Outdoors Kid Ninja Station - 10am - 4pm
Our favourite Kid Ninja station will be at The Point for Lakes and Trails! Be sure to stop by and test your skills at their incredible obstacle course!
Educational Booths - 10am - 4pm
We collaborate with local organizations to educate participants on sustainable practices, wildlife conservation and how to care for our beloved lakes and trails. Find groups such as EarlyON, Queen's University Biological Station, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Frontenac County, and more!
Explore the beautiful Cataraqui Trail on 5k fun run/walk guided by the Frontenac Run Club along Sydenham Lake. The run/walk kicks off at the Point Park and leads to the Cataraqui Trail. Runners will then travel up the trail, along Sydenham Lake to Clearwater Road where they will turn around and head back to the Point Park. This 5k out and back fun run/walk is perfect for runners of all levels including children. All paces welcome!
Yoga and Pilates Fusion Class - 10am
Amanda Butterill brings over 15 years of teaching experience to her classes. She began teaching Yoga in 2009 after her first of many trainings in Costa Rica. She grew up in South Frontenac and has been providing classes in Sydenham, Inverary, Perth Road and Glenburnie for 12 years. In 2016 she completed a Pilates mat 1 and 2 training and in 2022 she completed a Myofascial release with a foam roller course. With over 500 hours of professional training and over 15 years of teaching experience, Amanda leads her classes with the belief that moving and breathing intentionally on a regular basis is the best way to enhance your well-being and keep you strong, flexible, and feeling your best.
The perfect balance of strengthening, stretching, breath work, and relaxation. This 45 minute session combines strengthening and stretching exercises to enhance mobility, with an emphasis on core strengthening to improve stability in the lower back. We will move with our breath, flowing through Yoga poses and Pilates exercises finishing with resting (savasana) to leave you feeling calm and energized. All levels welcome including beginners.
Instagram: @nomadyogini.ab
Facebook: @NomadYogini
Website: https://www.nomadyogini.ca
Tails on the Trail Dog Run - 10am
Pawsitive Impact, a non profit organization that aids in the veterinary care for animals in underserved areas, is hosting a DOG JOG during the Lakes and Tails... err, i mean Trails Festival.
Join the Pawsitive Impact Team, leash up your four legged friend and come for a 5k Dog Jog! Explore the beautiful Cataraqui Trail and run along Sydenham Lake. The dog jog kicks off at the Point Park and leads to the Cataraqui Trail. Runners will then travel up the trail, along Sydenham Lake to Clearwater Road where they will turn around and head back to the Point Park. This 5k out and back fun run is perfect for runners of all levels. All paces welcome!
Gaye Beckwith is a retired teacher and avid birder and photographer. He has been a member of the Kingston Field Naturalists which promotes nature conservation and education for the past twenty years.
Birds of Sydenham Lake and It's Shoreline
This outing will look for birds which live along the shores of Sydenham Lake. This will include large birds like osprey, loons, herons, and cormorants, as well as smaller birds such as kingbirds, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, cardinals, phoebes, etc. which live along the shoreline.
Route
We will start at the Point and work our way around the western end of the Sydenham Lake, cross the dam and join up with the Cataraqui Trail where we will walk about 1 km on the north shore of the lake. The total walk will be about 3 km lasting approximately one hour.
A Taste of Forest Bathing - 11am
Learn all about the practice of Forest Bathing and experience an hour of relaxation and sensory exploration led by Certified Nature Therapy Guide, Claire Beach. This Taste of Forest Bathing will take place at The Point Park, with a full immersive forest bathing walk taking place at Frontenac Provincial Park in the afternoon. Learn more and get your tickets here.
Testimonials
"The experience was well beyond any expectation. A soul refreshing afternoon that instilled an inner calm I continue to feel days later."
"Claire gently guided us along the path and brought us to a place of rest and healing. I came away feeling peaceful and calm with a renewed sense of what the forest has to offer all of us."
Pickleball Learn & Play - 11am - 1pm
Kingston Racquet Club will be at the courts serving up some fun with their skills and drills demo.
Canoe Skills Instruction - 1:30pm
Walt is a retired teacher with 34 years of instructional experience, 12 years in high school Phys. Ed. and Industrial Arts; then 22 years in Outdoor and Environmental Education with the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, (ALCDSB) running the outdoor education program and managing the Msgr. J.S.Ryan Outdoor Education Centre on Wolfe Island, ON. Walt has taught over 70,000 children and adults in all seasons in the outdoors; over 20,000 in canoes.
Walt will be hosting a canoe skills workshop for paddlers of all levels. Learn some new skills or get tip on how to improve as a paddler.
Tails on the Trail Dog Walk - 2:30pm
Pawsitive Impact, a non profit organization that aids in the veterinary care for animals in underserved areas, is hosting a Tails on the Trail Dog Walk during the Lakes and Tails... err, i mean Trails Festival.
Join the Pawsitive Impact Team, leash up your four legged friend and come for a 5k Tails on the Trail Dog Walk! Explore the beautiful Cataraqui Trail and walk along Sydenham Lake. The dog walk kicks off at the Point Park and leads to the Cataraqui Trail. Walkers will then travel up the trail, along Sydenham Lake to Clearwater Road where they will turn around and head back to the Point Park. This 5k out and back fun walk is perfect for the whole family.
Guided Bike Rides with Doug - Time TBD
Doug has been cycling all his life, but more avidly in the last 15 years. He's a member of the Kingston Velo Club where he organizes some of their rides. Doug has been cycling across Canada in 1,200 km increments each year. The last leg is coming up later this summer.
Guided Paddle - 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
Join the Sydenham Lake Canoe Club for some of their guided paddles around beautiful Sydenham Lake. Canoes, paddles, and lifejackets will be provided (or bring your own!).
11am - Nature Songs & Stories
Pete Moss
Pete Moss is an acclaimed children's musician who connects people of all ages with the natural world. Drawing inspiration from everyday birds, plants and weather, Pete’s playful, folksy style and sophisticated songwriting has been featured on CBC's Here and Now, Owl Magazine and City TV. With lines proclaiming “the sun, the moon, the stars are shining, in one dandelion” and referring to Chickadees as the “timbits of the sky”, Pete’s songs inspire empathy, wonder and affection toward living things.
Social media:
Website, Videos & Music:
www.petemossmusic.com
Live video reel
Chickadee video | Stinging nettle video
JP Weirdoughs
Food Vendor Highlight
JP Weirdoughs is a family-run business serving up creative chaos and wood-fired magic with a twist! From a couple of classics to weird combos you never knew you needed, our handmade pizzas are fired with love.
Smoke N' Barrel
Food Vendor Highlight
In 2019, we set out on a journey throughout the 7 BBQ regions of the Southern US to learn about the meat, the wood, the smoke, the seasoning, the spices and the culture.
We collected the best recipes, the best techniques, and bought the finest smoker to bring you the best BBQ north of the border.
Snowie Concessions
Food Vendor Highlight
Snowie Concessions sells snow cones & fun flavoured lemonade. What’s better on a hot day than a cool & tasty treat! We love brightening peoples’ days, one summer treat at a time. We all deserve a treat sometimes & with both snow cones & lemonade, there’s something for everyone!
Lenny's Deli
Food Vendor Highlight
From 10 AM to 3 PM, Lenny’s will be serving all-day breakfast alongside two festival-exclusive specials:
Lakes and Trails Cobb Salad – $12.50
A fresh and hearty mix of egg, ham, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber, bell peppers, and cheese, all topped with your choice of dressing.
Lakes and Trails Chopped Sandwich – $14.00
Stacked with pastrami, salami, pepperoni, ham, lettuce, red onion, and cheese on a kaiser bun, finished with a creamy vinaigrette dressing.
Stop by, fuel up, and taste a little local love while you explore the festival!
4415 Wheatley St, Sydenham
The Wild Edge Nature Immersion
Full Length Forest Bathing Walk at Frontenac Park
Immersive Forest Bathing Walk at Frontenac Park from 2-5pm on July 12th.
Unplug, relax and allow the goodness of the forest to soothe your mind, nourish your body & rejuvenate your soul. Come immerse yourself in the Forest through simple invitations and find a deeper connection to our natural world and yourself.
Certified Nature Therapy Guide & Mentor Claire Beach will guide a 3 hour walk that ends with a light snack and tea.
Things commonly experienced after a Forest Therapy walk are;
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Increased sense of wellbeing & peace,
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Reduced stress & anxiety,
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Boost immune system,
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Improved sleep,
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Enhanced creativity,
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Emotional regulation and so much more.
Contact Us
Township of South Frontenac
4432 George St. Box 100
Sydenham ON, K0H 2T0
T: 613-376-3027
F: 613-376-6657
TF: 1.800-559-5862
(if calling within the 613 area code)
admin@southfrontenac.net
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