Latest news with #trailnetwork
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
ATV riders 'ecstatic' about opening of 12 km of pilot trails in eastern P.E.I.
All-terrain vehicle riders on P.E.I. are now one step closer to having a provincewide trail network, thanks to four new pilot roads in the southeastern end of the Island. The Eastern Kings ATV Club recently earned provincial approval to use 12 kilometres of new trail in the Bellevue and Caledonia areas. They're the first pilot roads to be approved for the eastern portion of the province. "Every one of these is a win for me. It's a lot of hard work," Peter Mellish, executive director of the P.E.I. ATV Federation, said when he met a CBC News team at the site this week. "It's kind of cool because I brought my side-by-side today to go for a drive on it, legally, for the first time." The opening of the eastern pilot roads means riders now have access to about 77 kilometres of dedicated trails across the Island. There are hundreds of kilometres of ATV trails around the province, but piecing them all together into a tip-to-tip network can be tricky. The province requires that the pilot trails be on dirt roads, with low traffic volume and no potential environmental concerns. The federation also has to work with landowners in those areas to ensure riders can get on and off the roads without issues. "The primary factor that we do have to look at is safety," said Ernie Hudson, P.E.I.'s transportation minister. "I would have to say that it's resulted in a positive movement, a great relationship with the ATV federation in working with them towards… the ultimate goal of a tip-to-tip trail." At the end of the day, this is going to be our Confederation Trail. — Peter Mellish, P.E.I. ATV Federation An Island-wide system has been the goal for years. The federation had previously pushed to have riders be allowed to use the Confederation Trail, which also runs from one end of the Island to the other. But the idea received pushback during public consultations, with some concerns that the presence of ATVs would be too dangerous for the pedestrians and cyclists who currently use the trail. In order to use the pilot roads — which are shared with other cars, trucks and farm equipment — ATV drivers have to pay an annual $50 registration fee, while being subject to the same rules and regulations as any other road user. The federation will use a portion of the fees to help build and maintain its eventual provincewide network. Mellish said the next goal is to have more pilot trails open in the Souris area. Five other clubs have trail projects in mind after that. "At the end of the day, this is going to be our Confederation Trail, having these pilot roads," he said. "We're going to create our own experience and our own trail independently of the others. So yeah, we're ecstatic."
CTV News
15-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Powassan man honoured for dedication to local trails
A gathering was held at the Pines Trails in Powassan, Ont. on Thursday to celebrate 'trail champions' from around the Nipissing region. Pine Trails gathering June 29 A number of volunteers from the Nipissing region gathered Thursday at the Pines Trails in Powassan, Ont. to celebrate local 'trail champions.' (Supplied/Discovery Routes) Discovery Routes is a charity organization that connects communities across the north through trails. There are at least 56 separate community trail partners responsible for the stewardship of local trails. Most of the groups rely entirely on volunteers who donate their time and energy to maintaining and improving the trails. The organization has launched a Trail Volunteer Appreciation Program to bring attention to the volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to serve on committees, to act as champions for important trail issues, to maintain local trails and coordinating trail events or programs that further the development of the region's trail network. 'The pandemic created a dramatic increase in demand for outdoor activities,' said Susan Christian, Discovery Routes chairperson, in a news release Friday. 'We know that trails are powerful tools for individuals to improve mental, physical and emotional health and want to recognize and celebrate the countless volunteers in communities across the north who keep the trails we all love open and safe for all to enjoy.' Officials with the organization say they hope the program will inspire more people to get involved with their local trails. On June 29, the program honoured long-time Powassan trail volunteer Gerry Giesler as a 'champion,' recognizing him for more than 16 years of service to area trails. Gerry Giesler Gerry Giesler was named a 'trail champion' at a walk on the Pine Trails network on June 29/23. (Supplied/Discovery Routes) Giesler was instrumental in improving paddling access to the South River Water Trail by successfully getting portage trails established around a number of hydro dams between Trout Creek and Powassan, said officials. He volunteers with the Powassan Recreation Committee and has been involved in the Pines Trails network for a number of years. When asked why he volunteers, Giesler said it is exciting to see years of planning take shape and new trails and water access set up in the region – like at Love Lake in Trout Creek. 'I've always been an outdoors person and liked doing outdoor stuff,' he said in the news release. 'What it boils down to is I like sharing my knowledge and making sure other people can get to enjoy the outdoors, too.' Volunters Pine Trails network walk Area volunteers walked the Pine Trails network on Thursday to celebrate local 'trail champion' Gerry Giesler. (Supplied/Discovery Routes) 'On behalf of the Municipality of Powassan we thank Gerry for many hours of dedication to trails and recreation in our community,' said Powassan Mayor Peter McIsaac, who was in attendance at Thursday's walk. For more information about Discovery Routes, visit their website or Facebook page.
