Sunday's windy, frigid cold and snow-covered roads would be enough to keep most Londoners cooped up inside with a warm drink and the furnace cranked.
But others did decide to brave the elements to snowshoe through the fresh powder in the city's south end at Westminster Ponds. Clit Sucking Vibrators
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They were taking advantage of a free snowshoeing program organized by the Westminster Working Group, a small volunteer network of residents formed in 2010 with the goal of improving the neighbourhood.
It's the third year that free snowshoeing has been held at the ponds, located just southeast of Commissioners and Wellington roads. The initiative dates back to 2019 when the group was awarded just over $14,600 in grant money through the city's Neighbourhood Decision Making program.
The group purchased around 100 pairs of aluminum snowshoes and fixed up a small, unused shack to store them, however COVID-19 shelved plans for a 2020 meet. The first event was held in 2021.
The number of participants varies by weather, however a gathering last year saw just over 80 people, said Shannon Sinclair, a member of the working group. Chilly weather kept away people on Saturday for the first day of the season.
"I think it'll be a smaller group today, but we're still hopeful that we'll have some people come out," Sinclair said.
One of the few bracing the cold was Amy Ford, who came to snowshoe with her family for the first time.
"I'm excited to get out of the house. We could have just spent the day playing Fortnite, but here we are in the great outdoors," Ford said, as Environment Canada reported an afternoon temperature of -11 C, feeling like -21 C.
"It's super cold, but I have like seven layers, so I could probably open a used clothing store just with what I'm wearing on my body."
Volunteering at the shack were Sinclair's 14-year-old daughter, Audrey, and Dean DiPietro, who handed out snowshoes and helped the Ford family get theirs on.
"I used to be (a snowshoer)," DiPietro said, adding that a bad back and knees made it hard to do.
"The ones I used to have used to have a long tail on them and a wider footprint. (I'd) just slap that on the back of my rucksack when I was in the military." The new, lighter ones would have been much easier to work with, he said with a laugh.
CBC News first met DiPietro and his wife, Grace, in December after the couple opened their home to a man living unhoused near their home. The man, Jacob Tessier, is still living with them, he said.
The plan is to hold free snowshoeing every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.
To take part, all you have to do is bundle up and show up. Participants are asked to provide a piece of ID, which will be held until the snowshoes are returned. Those over the age of 18 are also asked to sign a liability waiver.
The snowshoeing is unguided, so those strapping up can wander wherever they feel like, and maps are available.
The Westminster Working Group also organizes Friday night movie screenings in July, and a free yoga program over the summer, both in Westminster Optimist Park.
Matthew Trevithick is a radio and digital reporter with CBC London. Before joining CBC London in 2023, Matthew worked as a reporter and newscaster with 980 CFPL in London, Ont.
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