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Snowmobilers: Parry Sound welcomes you!

3/11/2010

Bobby Orr was fours years of age when he began skating. The Seguin River became Bobby's rink of choice where he'd spend hour after hour practicing his skating and stick handling playing Shinny. If that was not enough, he would spend another hour nightly practicing that lethal shot in his garage.

Bobby began playing organized hockey at age five. By the age of twelve was playing against young adults 4 years his elder. While Bobby was in kindergarten, he began playing in the Parry Sound Minor Squirt Hockey League. By 9 he had won the MVP in the Pee-Wee Division. He may have been smaller than the other boys, but not in heart and he knew he would have to develop a strong body to keep up with the bigger kids.

At thirteen, Bobby signed a Junior A contract with Boston, and he began playing with the Oshawa Generals while still attending elementary school. At 14 he was playing against 19 and 20 year old men.

Orr played well in his first season of "A" hockey, then was described in his second year as positively phenomenal. Still just 15 years old he was the unanimous choice for first string All-Star defenseman in the strong Ontario Junior A League. He was regarded as unquestionably the outstanding defenseman in the league but he was also one of the most dangerous scorers.

At the age of 18, Bobby Orr joined the NHL signing with the Boston Bruins. In May 1970 Bobby led the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup in 29 years.

Simply put, what Bobby did was change the face of hockey forever. Defensemen were "Stay at Home" types. Never daring to charge the net, they knew their place was at "the point". But not Bobby... he set the tone for today's great defensemen, the likes of Ray Bourque, Chris Pronger, and Paul Coffey. But no one has ever done it quite like Robert Gordon Orr.  Parry Sound's extraordinary new centre for arts and entertainment, thanks to the support of donors from both the public and private sector and the tireless efforts of its citizens, is a breathtaking new edifice on the shores of Georgian Bay of which we may be proud. And in which to celebrate! Come celebrate with us as we launch our new Centre. We promise joy, inspiration, surprise... and a rollicking good time for everyone!  Come on outside and see what the jewel of the 30,000 islands has to offer!

Snowmobiling in the Parry Sound Area

Parry Sound is renowned for its extensive network of high quality snowmobile and ATV trails. Parry Sound Snowmobile District (PSSD) is the regional snowmobile association that represents the nine local snowmobile clubs in OFSC's District 10. The PSSD trail network offers over 1,000 kms of picturesque, groomed snowmobile trails spanning from the Key River in the north to the Moon River in the south and from the shores of Georgian Bay in the west to the Hwy 11 corridor in the east.

Whether travelling with a group, the family, or just passing through on one of several Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) trails, the PSSD trail network contains both a mix of looping, or family trails that are accompanied with numerous resorts, restaurants and service facilities conveniently located on the trail system, ensuring that all your snowmobiling needs will be satisfied within Parry Sound Snowmobile District.

Parry Sound Snowmobile District encourages snowmobilers to support their local clubs and "BUY WHERE YOU RIDE."

Snowmobile Trail Enhancements

Members of the Town's Business Retention & Expansion (BR & E) Team have been meeting with representatives from the snowmobile clubs to determine ways in which the Town can become more "snowmobile friendly."

Council recently approved a recommendation from the BR & E Team to permit snowmobiles on the Fitness Trail extension (adjacent to Parry Sound Drive), from the Optimist Centre in to the north end of Town.

Parry Sound Snowmobile District (PSSD) is preparing a signage proposal for the Town's review. This proposal will recommend enhanced signage on the in-town trail and also at junction points leading in to Town.

Approval has been received from the owner of the former Sutcliffe property (across from Economy Fair), for a staging area/lock-up in the front of this property (facing Seguin Street). Art in the Park, which takes place every July in downtown Parry Sound, is a great opportunity to view the works of a variety of local artists and artisans - and to get an early start on your Christmas shopping!  The Parry Sound Snowmobile District operates over 1,000 km of looping family trails and several TOP trails offering fabulous scenery, and easy access to restaurants, resorts and service facilities.  Contact us today for more information about:

• Bobby Orr memorabilia
• Stockey Centre
• smallmouth bass fishing ontario canada
• studio art tours
• ontario art tour
• ontario craft show
• craft show in ontario
• craft show in ontario canada
• snowmobile trip
• biosphere reserves in Canada
• snowmobiling ontario
• Hockey Parry Sound
• smallmouth bass fishing in ontario
• ontario triathlon
• triathlon canada
• Bobby Orr Hall of Fame
• Parry Sound Ontario
• snowmobiling

The Park-to-Park Trail

The Park-to-Park Trail is a multi-partnered, regional initiative to create an east-west, 200 kilometre year round recreational trail link between the Towns of Parry Sound and Huntsville and Killbear and Algonquin Parks. Permitted uses on the trail segments in and around Parry Sound include snowmobiling, ATVing, riding, hiking, cycling, dirt biking and skiing.

The trail will provide connections to several other communities, provincial parks, trail networks, features, attractions and services in Parry Sound, Muskoka and Haliburton Districts. A 50 kilometre portion of the trip route has also been registered as part of the Trans Canada Trail, a country-wide effort to create the longest recreational trail system in the world!

In Parry Sound, the Park-to-Park Trail will utilize the existing Rotary & Algonquin Regiment Fitness Trail. From the historic Carrington Colonization Road in Seguin Township, the Park-to-Park Trail will pick up the fitness trail at its southern extent and wind its way along the Georgian Bay shoreline along this former CNR/CPR spur line. The trail will then continue on a roadside/sidewalk route as it heads north out of town and into the neighbouring municipality of McDougall.

Start making plans for your vacation trip today!


A large-scale map of Parry Sound, Bobby Orr's Hometown, can be found in the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, highlighting the points of interest and of special importance to hockey fans and others alike. There you will also find a showcase displaying Bobby Orr childhood photos and other artifacts representing Parry Sound's Hockey heritage.   Looking for something fun to do in Ontario? Bundle up your family and head out for an ice fishing derby. If you're not a avid angler, and don't already have your fishing license, just pick your weekend carefully: Canadian residents can enjoy the fun of fishing in Ontario without a licence during the annual Ontario Family Fishing Weekend (usually the third weekend in February).  Wintertime is a great time to visit Parry Sound because when the snow flies the snowmobiles get started! The Town of Parry Sound and its surrounding communities in Ontario are home to miles and miles of groomed snowmobiling trails offering scenic trips for any taste. Local snowmobile clubs have joined together to implement a district plan with a goal of snowmobile trail grooming consistency and maximum use of the region's groomers.

And when the snowmobiles are silent, rev up your ATV! Or if you don't have your own, one of our tour outfitters will hook you up for an adventure you'll never forget. Travel trails and paths near secret lakes and through fabulous forests to experience the magnificent scenery of the Canadian Shield.



The triathlon returns to Parr Sound in the summer of 2009! In conjuction with the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, the town will again host two types of triathlon swim-bike-run events (try-a-tri and standard distance).  Parry Sound, the birthplace of world superstar Bobby Orr, is the venue of the Charles W. Stockey Centre and the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, for music and sports fans from around the province and the world!

Opened in July 2003, the BOHF is a tribute to a man who has been described as the Parry Sounds's favourite son, an exceptional defenseman and athlete, a gentleman and humanitarian, and a great Canadian.

The Hall of Fame is comprised of three major components...Zones, Exhibits and Interactive Games. The exhibits are: Parry Sound Hockey Heritage, Local Minor League Champions, Oshawa Generals, Boston Bruins, Orr Changed the Game, The Greatest Season Ever, Stanley Cups and Records, Other Greats, and Canadian National Teams. Go interactive at the Goalie/Defenseman Game, Dome & Air Hockey Game, the Play-by-Play Booth, the Slap Shot Game, and more.

Come see it for yourself!