The North Shore Nordic Association was founded to promote winter use of the regions existing trail networks and recreational assets. The NSNA will work with existing organizations and governmental entities to design and maintain a system of winter trails for snow based activities such as cross country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing, which would not be detrimental to the maintenance of the snow surface on the trails. The trails will be donation supported and open to all.

The NSNA will use low impact grooming equipment to maintain a groomed snow surface and ski track along an established trail network that will use existing trails. Volunteers and or paid staff will tow a snow-grooming device behind a snowmobile. The snow surfaces shall be groomed on a schedule that is consistent with snowfall and trail use.

The NSNA will serve the North Shore communities of Essex County where there are existing municipal and private trails and recreational facilities. Starting in Hamilton the NSNA intends to eventually branch out to connect the trail systems of the Discover Hamilton Trail, The Trustees of Reservations Appleton Farms and Grassrides, The Harvard Woods, The Massachusetts DCR Bradley Palmer and Willowdale state parks, The Bay Circuit Trail and other local existing trail networks.

The NSNA will benefit the citizens of Hamilton and it’s surrounding communities by leveraging our existing trail and open space assets to provide winter recreational and athletic activities. Eventually the NSNA could work with local recreation departments to provide structured training and competitive winter opportunities for local youth. The NSNA will be able to use existing lighting in Patton Park to offer evening trail use in the park, providing outdoor opportunities when daylight is limited.