Winter Family Fitness Day at Pineland Farms

Making the trek uphill

          Sometimes a little fresh air is just what the doctor ordered!  After a week of recovering from our first colds since summer time (I'm whispering this, so that they don't come back), we were ready for some sunshine, some warmer temperatures, and some fun.  We might not have found any warmer temperatures, but we found the sunshine and fun at Pineland Farms on Monday, February 21. The Winter Family Fitness Day event was free and well worth the half-hour drive.  Although we spent most of our day at the sledding hill, there were many other outdoor activities at the Farm if only we could have torn Dylan away.  The well-sloped sledding hills provide a fast ride landing you at the bottom without the typical crashes into trees or other children.  There are so many areas to sled here that even on the busiest days the hills are never as crowded as at Eastern Promenade or Payson Park.

            If sledding is not your thing, there is a great skating pond and numerous trails through the expansive farm and surrounding woods. Pineland Farm charges $3.00 per person for those interested in self-guided exploration.  Make sure to check out a nature pack at the Welcome Center to use during your adventure.  Nature packs include a variety of outdoor tools including field guides, binoculars, and local species tracking and nesting information.  They also rent out snowshoe and cross country ski to use on the many trails.  Prices are as follows: 
SKI & SNOWSHOE PASSES
Day Passes

Laura and Claire

Adult Ski Pass
$13 Day
$9 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Senior/Youth Ski Pass
$9 Day
$6 Afternoon (after 1pm)
Children (under 6) FREE

Adult/Senior/Youth Snowshoe Pass
$6 Day
$4 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Dylan and Casey

            Make sure to stop in at the market, located right next to the Welcome Center, for lunch.  They have breads, cheeses, sandwiches, drinks and tables for you to eat with your family in a laid back atmosphere.  Every Monday there is a story time at 10:00 that provides a snack, story, and some group songs.  Each month the Farm showcases special events from milking the cows to carving pumpkins to learning about making maple syrup.  Pineland Farms is a wonderful, inexpensive place in which to immerse your family in the outdoors.  If you have been there before, please share your experience!  For more information, check out http://www.pinelandfarms.org/index.htm.