Public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, to get public input on trail use
As New Brunswick winters grow shorter and see less snow, the number of snowmobilers has declined. In contrast, quad sports, which can be enjoyed year-round regardless of the weather, have been growing in popularity.
Robert Stokes, regional director for Quad NB, shared that there are now over 62,000 licensed and insured ATVs in the province. Part of the sport’s growth in the province can be attributed to the expansive trail system in New Brunswick, which often includes sections of the Trans Canada Trail, the world’s longest multi-use trail.
As the recreational sport expands, so too do economic opportunities for municipalities, as they capitalize on the revenue generated from recreation and tourism. Currently, over 32 New Brunswick communities have approached Quad NB to petition the provincial government to link the Quad NB trail system to their community, as a means of boosting their local economy. The towns of Florenceville-Bristol and Hartland were two of the most recent communities to do so.
“In 2024, [local] clubs were asked by Mayor Andrew Harvey and Mayor Tracey DeMerchant, if they would support a request from the community to link the railbed because they wanted to boost the economic growth in their community,” said Stokes. “They were getting requests from businesses that felt they were losing out on the tourism aspect due to the lack of access to the trail system.”
As it stands currently, the section of the Trans Canada Trail from Perth-Andover to Newburg does not allow motorized vehicles, such as ATVs, side-by-sides, or dirt bikes, to use the trail. Access is permitted only for pedestrian or cycling use, except from Dec. 15 through April 15, when snowmobiles are allowed on the trail. This is in direct contrast to surrounding areas, which would enable year-round shared usage of the trail, including sections from Perth-Andover to Grand Falls, Perth-Andover to Plaster Rock, and Woodstock to Nackawic.
In the fall of 2024, a meeting was held with respective council members, a representative from the Western Valley Regional Service Commission, and representatives from local quad clubs and Quad NB. Stokes shared that during the meeting, the local clubs agreed to support the mayors’ request, and a joint signed letter was sent to the respective government departments in Sept. 2024, requesting that Quad NB be permitted to access the section of the Trans Canada Trail extending from Perth-Andover to Newburg.
“I am supportive of the community’s request to have the quad access on the railbed, as it has already been proven through economic impact studies that this sport does boost economic development in the community and it boosts tourism, said Stokes.”
To date, Quad NB has not received any response from the government.
Since the application was submitted, concern has been growing among residents of the District of Carleton North, especially those whose properties are adjacent to the trail.
At the Sept. 22, 2025, District of Carleton North council meeting, council members read letters from different community members who vehemently opposed the idea of a shared access trail, noting that these were only a sample of the letters they had received expressing concern.
In her letter, Nancy McAuley-White expressed her feelings, telling council that allowing shared usage of the trail violated the initial purpose for the Trans Canada Trail, which “was established to create a safe passageway for pedestrians and bicycle traffic.”
“As truck and car traffic increases, the trail remains the last safe corridor for hikers and cyclists through our community and province,” she wrote, reminding council that local daycares and school groups regularly use the section of trail through the town of Florenceville-Bristol, and that allowing motorized vehicle usage would pose a safety risk to users.
Shelley and Chipman Hunter, owners of Hunter Brothers Farm, also sent a letter to the council, explaining that motorized vehicle users pose not only a risk to the safety of pedestrians and bicycle users but also damage the trail, rendering multiple sections unsafe for everyone.
Chipman wrote that several recreational vehicle users are using the trail to access their private farm road, which in turn is causing damage to their road and fields.
The River Valley Sun spoke to Chipman about his concerns and the risk that legalizing recreational vehicle access poses to his farm. Hunter said that, unfortunately, the trail provides easy access to his farm, and his attempts to restrict that access have all failed.
“We tried putting up gates, but they stole the gates. We tried signs, but that didn’t work, either,” he said. “We tried putting logs across the road, and they just came with chainsaws and cut them up. You just can’t chase people and tell them to get off your land because the more you do that, the more reciprocation you get. We can’t afford for people who are mad at us to go into the fields with their ATVs and rip them up.”
Hunter said that, as it stands, the farm already experiences significant theft and damage, and he worries that legalizing recreational vehicle access on the trail will only increase the risk to his property.
Mayor Harvey acknowledged residents’ concerns about the current illegal use of the trail and noted that a lack of policing is a significant part of the problem. He stated that the RCMP is not willing to chase anyone on the trail and that, although they have a unit dedicated to setting up checkpoints, it is a small task force consisting of only two trail police.
“The status quo is clearly not working; we need a better solution,” said Harvey.
While he admitted there are pros and cons to shared access, supporting it will give the District better control over the trail, especially regarding maintenance.
One solution Harvey proposed is a parallel trail system through priority zones, such as areas with high home density and/or high pedestrian traffic. With this approach, the shared usage trail would split into two trails – the Trans Canada Trail section, which allows motorized vehicles, and a newly constructed private trail designated for active transportation only.
Harvey noted that this approach would offer several benefits, including 12-month access instead of the current eight, a better and safer walking/cycling surface, and improved maintenance, as the District would be responsible for maintaining the private sections. Harvey also advised that federal funding is available to help with the parallel trail project.
Since the application was submitted to the province last fall, the Western Valley Regional Service Commission has undergone a trail strategy consultation process.
A closed meeting with the District and the Commission is scheduled for Oct. 15 to discuss their report. Harvey stressed that the provincial government has not yet made a decision on Quad NB’s application; however, one is expected later this fall.
The District of Carleton North has scheduled a public meeting for Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Florenceville Community Centre. The District will gather community feedback on the proposed shared use of the trail and how to proceed if the application is approved.
“We want to hear from people and need their input,” said Harvey. “We have to respect all user groups and it’s time to think outside of the box.”
