MASSENA -- Robert Moses Nature Center will soon have an additional 23 sets of skis, poles and boots for children.

The Friends of the Nature Center at Robert Moses State Park, Inc. received a grant from the St. Lawrence Health Initiative’s Healthy Places Project to purchase the equipment.

In 2010 the center lost all of its winter recreation to a fire. Since then, fundraising and grants have been used to replace equipment.

“The Health Initiative’s Creating Healthy Places project is glad to be able to provide youth-sized cross-country skis to the Nature Center. Winter, as you know, can be very long – it’s great to have places nearby where we can get outside together for some fresh air and exercise,” Healthy Places Project Director Karen Bage said.

“This grant has allowed us to fully recover the number of cross-country ski sets we lost in the fire. We now have 55 ski sets and an additional 12 set of boots and poles, ranging in sizes to fit a small child to a large adult,” Nature Center Executive Director Mary Danboise said.

The center also has about 100 pair of snowshoes in a range of sizes.

Rentals are available daily for only $4 per pair.

The center will hold a “Guided Ski-n-Snowshoe Event” at the Nature Center trails on Feb. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Each of the trails is on gentle, rolling terrain and approximately 1.6 miles long.

No experience is necessary for snowshoeing, but cross-country skiers must be experienced.

After the hike, participants can enjoy socializing around the outdoor fire pit.

Preregistration is required of all participants and everyone is asked to dress for weather.

Trail conditions can be checked daily on the Friend‘s Facebook page. Meet at the trailhead sign, 19 Robinson Bay Road. Call 705-5022 or email ncrebirth@yahoo.com for more information.