NEWS

ATVANS is excited to be posting a job for the position of Trail Connectivity Specialist/Project Manager to work out of our office in Lower Sackville.

Applications must be sent to execdirector@atvans.org and will be accepted until Thursday, August 8th. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Click the link below to access the full job listing and a description of the position.

Trail Connectivity Specialist Job Listing.pdf

The Town of Shelburne’s Road Trails Designation Bylaw is now officially passed following Council’s discussion of the second and final reading of the proposal on July 15.

Shelburne Bylaw Officer, Dana Nash says the town will now be getting the proper safety signage in place, including stop signs and arrows. Signage detailing a list of “do’s and dont’s,” taken directly from the Province’s Bill 273, will also be installed at each entry and exit point of the trail. Nash expects this work to be completed by September before a two-week advertising period of the bylaw occurs for the benefit of town residents. He says OHVs will then legally be allowed on the designated roadways.

Shelburne’s Road Trail Designation includes “approximately 208-metres of Spa Road, King Street to the corner of Water, all of Water Street, all of Falls Lane and Ohio Road and not beyond the Highway 103 intersection…” (excerpt taken directly from the Town’s newly approved by-law) Spa Road is connected to the existing Jordan Trail. (SEE MAP BELOW) 

Nash also identifies several areas where residents can park to load/unload their bikes. These include two “massive” vacant lots owned by the town on Water Street, the Government Wharf, the “Green Bridge” near where Falls Lane changes to Ohio Road, and at Needs and Tim Hortons on Ohio Road, near Hwy 103.

Shelburne joins the towns of Yarmouth and Oxford in approving road trails in their communities, with the Town of Digby also working on drafting their bylaw.

“I’ve spoken to the Town of Yarmouth about their road trail and they’ve had great success,“ says Nash. He adds that (Yarmouth) has not had any vocal opposition from residents or businesses and he only received two opposition letters from Shelburne residents.

Notice of Second Reading of the Road Trails Designation Bylaw 05-2024-2

TAKE NOTICE THAT Council of the Town of Oxford intends to consider the adoption (second reading) of the Road Trails Designation Bylaw 05-2024-2 at a Council Meeting to be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The Council meeting will be held at 105 Lower Main Street, Oxford, NS. The Council Meeting will also be virtual using the Zoom platform and will be broadcast live on Facebook.

The purpose of this bylaw is to designate part of a highway as road trail that is intended for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) that meet specific requirements.

Written submissions with any questions, concerns or comments will be considered at the time of the reading by emailing lcloney@oxfordns.ca.

Persons wishing to make a presentation verbally may do so at the Council meeting on June 27, 2024 and must pre-register with the Chief Administrative Officer by 3:30 pm on June 21, 2024.

The Bylaw may be inspected during Town Hall regular office hours 9 am – 4 pm at 105 Lower Main Street, Oxford, NS, or by visiting the Town’s website: www.oxfordns.ca

DATED at Oxford, Nova Scotia, this 23rd day of May 2024

Linda Cloney

Chief Administrative Officer

lcloney@oxfordns.ca

902-447-2624

May 16, 2024

Dear Members,

As many of you have already heard, QuadNB has announced that the reciprocal agreements with Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario have ended.

The agreement that was in place allowed ATV riders from these three provinces to ride on managed QuadNB ATV trails without having to purchase a QuadNB trail permit, on the condition that they had a permit from their own provincial ATV Federation.

The termination of this agreement is unfortunate and ATVANS was not consulted prior to the decision being made. 

Effective immediately, ATVANS members who wish to ride on QuadNB’s managed trails will have to buy a New Brunswick trail permit, just like any other provincial resident. Daily and weekly trail permits are also available. For more information on purchasing these permits, go to www.quadnb.ca

Dave Bishop and Butch Guitard (Mid Valley ATV Club) speaking about the recapitalization of the Clarence North Spur Line.

Attendees at ATVANS' Annual General Meeting, at the Inn on Prince in Truro, were treated to a variety of informative presentations and opportunities to mingle with other club members. 

The AGM kicked off with a "meet & greet reception" on Friday May 3, followed by a full day of presentations, a town hall meeting, and an awards banquet on Saturday. The weekend wrapped up Sunday morning with a business meeting.

 

Delegates and guests were treated to a group of knowledgeable presenters, addressing such topics as "best practices" for running clubs, the shared strategy for trails in Nova Scotia, and a review of current and future trail mapping products.

 

The Mid-Valley ATV Club presented a report on the extensive work their club has been completing on a current project, and PEI ATV Federation Executive Director, Peter Mellish was on hand to discuss his organization's challenges and successes as well. Presentations were also given on the "rails to trails" update, disaster relief efforts, and grant funding.

   

Awards were handed out following the dinner. The winners are as follows:

1. Trail Builder of the Year: Boyd Moore, Sunrise Trails ATV Club
2. Executive Member of the Year: Chris McQuaid, Sheet Harbour Snowmobile & ATV Club
3. Club of the Year: Pictou County ATV Club
4. Ray Gouthro Memorial Award (given to someone in the opinion of the executive director has demonstrated a significant and ongoing commitment to our organization over time.): Paul Smith, ATVANS Treasurer, PUMA ATV Club
5. Overcoming Adversity Award: Safety Minded ATV Association
6. Bob Wright Memorial Spirit of Riding Award: Leo LeBlanc, Sou'west Nova ATV Association
7. Volunteer of the Year: Debbie and Wally Shute, North Shore ATV Club    
8. Landowner Partner of the Year: Irving Woodlands, a division of J.D. Irving Limited.
9. Certificate of Merit: In recognition of the bravery, selflessness, and compassion displayed by Colin MacInnis, Adam Partridge, David MacDonald, Bernard MacInnis, Kyle MacInnis, and Andrew MacInnis in Arisaig, Nova Scotia on February 3 and 4, 2024. **RECIPIENTS ARE MEMBERS OF EIGG MOUNTAIN TRAIL ASSOCIATION**

  

 

  

Two new clubs joining the ATVANS family in April are working overtime to build their membership numbers and get their trails ready for a busy riding season.

One of the newest additions to the ATVANS roster of ATV clubs is the "BCALM Freewheelers Trail Society." The name of the group is derived from the names of the communities in their area of Cape Breton Island (B - Bateston, C - Catalone, A - Albert Bridge, L - Louisbourg, Lorraine, M - Marion Bridge, Main-a-dieu).

Say hello to the Musquodoboit Harbour Trail Runners Association! MHTRA is the most recent addition to the list - our 44th club. The newly formed club held its first meeting  on April 23.  Congratulations, and good luck!

BREAKING NEWS: 

**TRAIL CLOSURE**

The Sunrise Trails ATV Club has received confirmation that their Funding Application for the overhaul of Trail 266 (Wentworth Connector) has been APPROVED!

The conditions and weather forecast is favorable, and therefore our contractor will be beginning work Tuesday, April 23rd.

Please be aware that the trail will be temporarily closed. This closure is to allow efficient operation of machinery, ensure safety and allow the surface to dry and settle prior to OHV use.

We understand this may pose some inconvenience to trail users but rest assured, this short term closure will result in sustainable and enjoyable trails for years to come.

Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to complete necessary and high-quality repairs to this trail.

Boyd Moore

President, Sunrise Trails ATV Club

ATVANS is proud to announce the formation of it's 43rd member club. 

The newest addition to the family is the "BCALM Freewheelers Trail Society." The name of the group is derived from the names of the communities in their area of Cape Breton Island (B - Bateston, C - Catalone, A - Albert Bridge, L - Louisbourg, Lorraine, M - Marion Bridge, Main-a-dieu).

The club has named its executive committee and is now eagerly looking forward to recruiting members and managing their trails. They plan to hold meetings in Catalone and are hoping to have representatives at the ATVANS Annual General Meeting in May.

Please join us in welcoming the BCALM Freewheelers Trail Society!