ATHABASCA – In what is fast becoming a seasonal tradition in Athabasca, residents and visitors alike are once again taking to the Muskeg Creek Trails to bring some Christmas colour, cheer and magic to the treasured trail system.
Last year Rhonda Gustafson, Rachael Dragun, Tammy Morrison and Tabitha Stewart decided to take to the trails and start decorating to help get fellow users into the Christmas spirit after Gustafson came upon a random decorated tree on a trail in Spruce Grove and thought it would be a great way to draw some attention to the local trails and encourage a fun, family-oriented, outdoor activity in Athabasca.
“Wouldn't it be cool to decorate a tree for Christmas because everybody's stuck at home with COVID,” Gustafson recalled saying to Morrison. “They don't get out, but they're allowed to walk. So, we just said ‘Yeah, let's decorate one … and let's put up a Facebook page and everybody can decorate one as a family.’”
It was a hit, to say the least, with many of the trees along the path taking on a decidedly brighter appearance in the approach to Christmas and into the New Year. And this year, the hope is even more will participate, and the trails will become even more magical.
With an already established Facebook page sporting more than 200 members — Magical Muskeg Creek Trail - Light it up! — Gustafson just put out the question a few weeks ago, asking if people would be interested in doing it again this year, and she was overwhelmed with the positive response.
“I would like it to be an annual thing, every Christmas, with everyone just having a tradition with their families to go out and decorate a tree,” said Gustafson. “It only takes five or 10 minutes, and it gets them outside and gets them walking as a family. I find being outside is mental therapy, for me anyway.”
Those interested in taking part are invited to check out the Facebook page to take a look at the fun that was had last year, and if they do go out to decorate a tree on the trail they’re encouraged to take a picture of their own and post it to the page.
“We did this last year and it worked out really well, there were tons of lights. Everybody is welcome to do whatever they want for a tree or decorate it, as long as they clean it up at the end,” said Gustafson.
