NuSarnia Foundation
NuSarnia Foundation is a Sarnia-Lambton nonprofit that strengthens neighbourhood connections through small-scale placemaking, active transportation programs, trail stewardship, youth engagement, volunteer-driven events, and public art projects. The foundation organizes family-friendly initiatives such as bike rallies, pop-up protected bike routes, and community mural installations, and it partners with local sponsors and organizations to fund and run these programs. NuSarnia also advocates for zoning and planning changes to support housing affordability, walkability, and gentle density, while helping make public spaces safer, greener, and more welcoming.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 8th, 2026
Recent Activity
Canada Day pop-up bike routes and supervised bike corral
Ride to Canatara Park for Canada Day using two pop up protected bike routes from Howard Watson Trail and Downtown, with a free supervised bike corral provided by Bluewater Trails. The NuSarnia Foundation encourages families to leave cars at home and enjoy a safer, easier trip to the celebrations.
Share Update
Canada Day pop-up bike lanes and supervised Bike Corral
Skip the traffic and ride to Canatara Park for Canada Day using two pop-up protected bike lanes, with a free supervised Bike Corral run by Bluewater Trail near the Terry Fox Building from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Route maps and event details are available on the City of Sarnia event page so you can plan a safe, family friendly ride into the celebrations.
Share Update
Canada Day pop-up protected bike routes & free bike corral
On July 1, 2026, two pop up protected bike routes will guide riders to Canatara Park for Canada Day, including a Howard Watson Trail option and a downtown route. Bluewater Trails will run a free bike corral at the park, making biking a safe and convenient way to join the festivities.
Share Update
3rd Annual Kids Bike Rally
The NuSarnia Foundation hosted the 3rd Annual Kids Bike Rally at Canatara Park in Sarnia on June 13, 2026, bringing families, volunteers, vendors, and many community partners together to celebrate active transportation. Major supporters included The Sarnia Centre and Blackwater Coffee Co., and the event focused on giving kids confidence on two wheels while promoting local organizations that support outdoor activity.
Share Update
Kids Bike Rally
The NuSarnia Foundation hosts the 2026 Kids Bike Rally at Canatara Park on Saturday, June 13, with participant, volunteer, and vendor information packages issued and available online. Check your email or visit the event page for schedules, maps, and parking details so you are ready for a day of family friendly bike activities.
Share Update
Kids Bike Rally
The NuSarnia Foundation's Kids Bike Rally brings a morning of bike decorating, skills practice, safety learning, and prizes to Canatara Park on Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration is open at the event page and the family friendly rally is supported by The Sarnia Centre, Blackwater Coffee Co., Big Brothers Big Sisters Sarnia-Lambton, and Boys & Girls Club Sarnia-Lambton.
Share Update
Zoning advocacy update
NuSarnia Foundation reports that Sarnia Council passed a motion directing staff to return with recommendations and implementation options to reduce zoning barriers. The update highlights priority areas including missing middle housing, as of right intensification, neighbourhood scale mixed use, parking requirements, and overall housing affordability.
Share Update
Canatara Park lifeguard station mural installation
NuSarnia Foundation and local partners are installing a community selected mural at the Canatara Park lifeguard station this spring, funded entirely through local fundraising and sponsorships. The citizen led project aims to refresh the worn lifeguard station, support local artists, and create a more welcoming waterfront landmark for Sarnia residents and visitors.
Share Update
Kids Bike Rally
The Kids Bike Rally at Canatara Park in Sarnia is a family focused day of trail rides, an obstacle course, bike decorating, and an event passport for prizes, happening June 13, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Organized by the NuSarnia Foundation with local sponsors and co hosts, the rally connects families with organizations making cycling more accessible and fun; register at the event page to save your spot.
Share Update
Canatara Park mural statement
NuSarnia Foundation released a statement on 2026-05-23 clarifying that the Canatara Park mural was entirely community led and community funded through nuSarnia, and that the City of Sarnia did not provide funding. The statement thanks named partners and volunteers, and links to the project page for more details.
Share Update
Kids Bike Rally
The NuSarnia Foundation presents the 3rd Annual Kids Bike Rally at Canatara Park on June 13, 2026 from 9 AM to 1 PM. This free, family friendly event features bike routes, activity stations, an event passport with stamps, and a prize wheel, and is supported by The Sarnia Centre and local community partners. Register now at nusarnia.org to save your spot.
Share Update
Midtown Trail Clean-Up
NuSarnia Foundation thanked 39 volunteers for a Midtown Trail clean up that removed 44 garbage bags of trash and recorded 12 student volunteer hours, with fresh hot coffee from Blackwater Coffee Company. The post highlights strong neighborhood turnout and clear, measurable impact on the trail.
Share Update
Trail Clean-Up — Volunteer Opportunity
The NuSarnia Foundation confirmed the Trail Clean-Up is happening today, April 25, and volunteers are asked to arrive this morning. Organizers thanked everyone who signed up and reminded participants to check their signup contact for meeting details.
Share Update
Info session: How to start a bike bus
NuSarnia Foundation is hosting a 30 minute Zoom info session on May 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM about starting a bike bus for school communities. The session covers how bike buses work, safety and routing considerations, and includes time for live questions and connecting with other families.
Share Update
Bike bus FAQ and Q&A invitation
On April 21 the NuSarnia Foundation shared a bike bus FAQ noting that bike buses are simple and flexible, and inviting families to ask about starting one, who leads, safety at intersections, and whether kids will follow rules. The foundation asks readers to leave questions in the comments or send a message to have them included in the next Q&A.
Share Update
Spring Clean Up Volunteer Opportunity
The NuSarnia Foundation is recruiting volunteers for a Spring Clean Up along the Midtown Trail on April 25 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Students can log volunteer hours and organizers will sign off, sign up at the link provided to join this morning of trail care and neighborly teamwork.
Share Update
Bike bus safety promotion
NuSarnia Foundation promoted bike buses on April 16, 2026, highlighting that group rides increase visibility, provide volunteer support, and surround kids with peers. The post asks parents to vote Yes, Maybe, or Tell me more in a quick poll and invites messages for details about how bike buses work.
Share Update
Spring Clean Up
NuSarnia Foundation is hosting a Spring Clean Up on the Midtown Trail on April 25 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, open to volunteers of all ages. Students can earn volunteer hours and organizers will sign off; register at the provided link to claim your spot.
Share Update
Easter reflection social post
NuSarnia Foundations Easter reflection asks you to slow down and treat a neighbourhood walk like a small adventure. The short post points out that egg hunts help us notice parks and trails, inviting connection and fresh appreciation for shared spaces.
Share Update
Docs at Dusk – The Engine Inside
Docs at Dusk screens The Engine Inside at the Sarnia Library Theatre on April 8, with doors at 6:00 PM and the film at 6:30 PM. This free NuSarnia Foundation event is the final Social Justice Film Series screening and includes a community discussion after the film about cycling and connection in Sarnia Lambton.
Share Update
Community engagement social post
NuSarnia Foundation posted a community prompt on 2026-04-02 asking Sarnia residents to name everyday places where they run into neighbours, pause, or feel connected. The short social post highlights that Connection is the foundation's top metric and invites quick comments to crowdsource local spots like trails, cafes, and benches.
Share Update
Myth vs. Fact: Organizing Bike Buses
NuSarnia Foundation debunks the myth that bike buses are hard to organize, noting a simple route and a few families are often enough to get started. The post invites readers to request guidance on organizing their own bike bus and emphasizes that the effort usually becomes easier as the group grows.
Share Update
Small interventions that build connection
NuSarnia Foundation suggests four small, practical ways to build everyday connection in public space, from a bench on the Midtown Trail to a community mailbox where people leave notes. The short piece argues that third places do not have to be large or costly and offers ready ideas local groups can pilot.
Share Update
Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton Earth Day
NuSarnia Foundation will be at Sarnia Library on Saturday, April 18 for Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton Earth Day, offering family friendly activities and community conversations. Stop by to hear what the foundation has been working on and to share local ideas about building a more people focused Sarnia.
Share Update
Midtown Trail Spring Clean Up
Join the NuSarnia Foundation on April 25, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the Midtown Trail Spring Clean Up to help get the trail ready for the season. This annual volunteer session focuses on trail maintenance and litter removal, and organizers will sign off on community service hours for students; register at the provided signup link.
