The McLachlin Trail 

Bridges have crossed the Madawaska River in the same location since the Buchanans built the first bridge. The east side, which the McLachlin Trail explores, was the site of several McLachlin sawmills over the years.

Hydro Park
This park, overlooking the Madawaska River, is located just east of the bridge.   In 1972 approval was given for the generating station, the creation of a 10-mile lake (both upriver at Highway 17), the four-span bridge and a new downstream weir. This weir helps to reduce soil erosion above the weir and to improve and control marine life and vegetation.  Located near the island are manmade spawning beds for pickerel. This is a great fishing spot for locals and tourists.   After leaving Hydro Park, continue through the residential area to reach Bell Park.

Bell Park

This park was donated to the youth of Arnprior by the grandchildren of James and Kathleen Bell in memory of happy summers spent with their grandparents in this area. As you follow the trail towards the point, you will pass the Yacht Club and the Fish and Game Club.  Bell Park, located at the conjunction of the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, has a beautiful view of the Quebec shoreline and the widened section of the Ottawa River known as Chats Lake (Lac des Chats).

1861-91 saw the height of the rafting of square timber down the Ottawa River, some of it from the former Gillies Bros. Mill at Braeside (visible to the left upstream on the Ottawa River) for export to Britain. The last Gillies square timber rafts floated in 1903. Water transport of logs continued into the 1990s. 

Leaving the road to Bell Park, turn left and follow McLean Ave. along the river until McNab St. is reached.
Charles Macnamara

Charles Macnamara worked for the McLachlin Bros. Saw Mills and Lumber Yards, starting as an accountant in 1886 and eventually becoming secretary-treasurer of the firm.  A keen naturalist and photographer, among other things Macnamara illustrated a study of beaver colonies on the Ottawa River. This research is now on display in the Royal Ontario Museum. The Macnamara Field Naturalists' Club was named in honour of Charles Macnamara.

Macnamara Nature Trail
The kiosk at the entrance to the Macnamara Nature Trail is at the end of McLean Ave. across from the Arnprior Amateur Ball Association diamonds.

This trail takes one through the Nopiming Game Preserve (a game sanctuary since 1920, whose creation was promoted by Macnamara). Nopiming is an Indian term meaning "in the woods." It was originally intended to protect the beaver colonies living by the Ottawa River. Access to the preserve is courtesy of Honeywell Nylon Canada Inc., which owns the land.   This trail is maintained by the Macnamara Field Naturalists' Club.

The total distance for this trail is 3.7 km, with the Macnamara Nature Trail a further 4.5 km round trip.
Information above was drawn from a pamphlet produced by the Millennium Trail Committee with assistance from Arnprior District High School students, and historical data provided from The Arnprior Story and the Arnprior & District Museum. 

For more information about Arnprior, consult The Arnprior Story by Leo Lavoie (available locally), the Arnprior & District Museum or the Arnprior & McNab/Braeside Archives (located at the lower level of the Arnprior Public Library).

Free maps and brochures for each of the Millennium Trails may be picked up at the Arnprior Public Library, The Civic Centre or at Town Hall.

Funding for the Millennium Trails was provided by the Canada Millennium Partnership Program and local service clubs and businesses.