The Macnamara Nature Trail in the southeast corner of Arnprior is a window into the past and present natural world of the Lower Ottawa Valley. One of the club’s largest projects to date, its boardwalks, viewing platforms, and benches – constructed entirely by volunteers – allow visitors to explore it without disturbing its wild character.

The trail guide, available at the trailhead kiosk, provides a vivid explanation of the flora, fauna, and human history on view. The trail is made possible by the co-operation of the landowner, Nylene Canada Incorporated, the generosity of the K.M. Hunter Foundation, and the dedication and hard work of club members and community volunteers.

It leads visitors past 19 numbered stops along four kilometres (with an optional half-kilometre branch that leads to a rocky point overlooking the mouth of the marsh where the marsh meets the Ottawa River. Many of its features were re-“discovered” (Algonquin people had known them in the traditional way for centuries) by Charles Macnamara, the club’s namesake, nearly a century ago. When he found a beaver lodge, he lobbied the Ontario government to declare their lands a game sanctuary, since the species was on the brink of extinction from the fur trade.

Among the many plants is the Showy Lady’s-slipper (shown at right), the club’s emblem, a spectacular orchid with one petal enlarged to serve as a landing platform for insect visitors. The pink to red pouch, open at the top, is designed to enlist bees as pollinators. It’s visible between late June and mid-July. Other wildflowers include blue vervain, Joe-pye weed, swamp milkweed, jewelweed and boneset.

On the geological front, many of the exposed rock outcrops consist of marble, which can be transformed by fire into useful lime, and the ruins of an old lime kiln are still here. Among other flora on view are the walking fern clinging to the rocks, a bitternut hickory tree, striped maple and hobblebush shrubs, and a multitude of mosses and fungi.

The Macnamara Trail is not on public land. It is on private property, made available for the protection, study, and enjoyment of nature by its owner, Nylene Canada Inc., and managed by the MFNC. Consumptive or disruptive activities not consistent with this purpose are not permitted on the trail or in the Nopiming Crown Game Preserve. This includes hunting, logging, harvesting wild plants, ATVs, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, and bringing dogs onto the trail. The use of the trail as a dog walk stresses wildlife, leads to unsightly and unhealthy accumulations of faeces, disrupts visitors' study and enjoyment of nature, and frightens legitimate trail users, particularly children, as strange dogs accost them on the narrow trail. Even though signs prohibiting dogs are at the trail entrance, and the Town of Arnprior has an ordinance that dogs in public areas should be leashed, experience has proven that some dog owners refuse to respect nature or other people. Accordingly, those with dogs on the trail will be asked to leave. If they refuse to do so, or if they are repeat offenders, they may be charged with trespassing. The Arnprior Bylaw Officers will also be patrolling to ticket any owners whose dogs are not leashed.

How To Get There

The Macnamara Trail begins on McNab Street in the southeast corner of Arnprior. From Highway 17/417 exit at County Road 29 (exit 180) and head north to Madawaska Boulevard. Turn left onto Madawaska Boulevard and continue for 1km to MacNab Street. Turn right on McNab Street (just after Rona) and look for the Macnamara Trail parking lot on the right after the entrance to the Nylene Canada plant.

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