COLTON -- Higley Flow State Park has been bustling with activity recently. The ski trails have been groomed, Colton Winterfest is gearing up, and the Higley Trails Lodge construction project is under way.

Higley trails have been groomed and maintained by the Friends of Higley Flow State Park and St. Lawrence University, which purchased a new groomer this fall in addition to the groomer purchased by the town. Clarkson University also contributed to the purchase of the groomer.

The trails are ready in time for Colton Winterfest, planned for Jan. 25 through Jan. 27. The Winterfest will include two events on the park’s trails; a family day at the park and the Higley Hustle Ski Festival.

The family day, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be sponsored by the Friends of the park and will include refreshme speech nts. The trails will be open to skiers and snowshoers.

The Higley Hustle Ski Festival, Jan. 27, will include a 5k and 10k classic at 10 a.m., the Bill Koch classic race for those under 14 years of age at noon and 2.5 and 5k freestyle skate races at 1 p.m. Registration for each race begins 1.5 hours prior to the start. Awards will be given to the first three placers in each category.

In addition to trail cleaning and preparations for Winterfest, construction has begun on the Higley Trails Lodge. The lodge will serve as a four-season multi-purpose building, with a great room, office and restrooms. It will provide a location for school classes to be held in conjunction with outdoor activities, a place to present programs and activities during the camping season, as well as a place for skiers and snowshoers to socialize.

Funding for the lodge has come from a grant secured by the Friends of the park and from donations. The investment in materials is also being met by “in kind” labor supplied by the Thousand Islands State Park. Pictured above, roofing installation was recently completed.