April 22, 2020 

Sent via email:   barry.barnet@ns.sympatico.ca 

Dear Barry, 

Thank you for taking the time for our phone call on April 21^st. 

As we discussed, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation all Nova Scotians are being asked to stay at home as much as possible and avoid non-essential travel and activities.  This means that at this time outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing and ATV riding should not happen.  It is also important that Nova Scotians know that at this time all provincial parks and trails are closed to the public. 

I recognize that what we are asking all Nova Scotians to do to limit the spread and impact of COVID-19 may be difficult, but at present it is critical to continue with these restrictive measures.  Please know that I will be looking to slowly open up outdoor recreational activities as soon as this can be done safely.  

I will be communicating this information directly to Nova Scotians in the coming days during my daily briefings. Your willingness to communicate directly to your members, and if possible, the ATV riding community in Nova Scotia is greatly appreciated. 

I have also asked my colleagues at Nova Scotia Environment to continue their compliance activities regarding outdoor recreational activities. 

Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

 ORIGINAL SIGNED BY: 

Robert Strang MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Chief Medical Officer of Health

c:             Karen Wong-Petrie, Director, Environmental Health and Food Safety, NS Environment

Members and all riders are advised that parking your vehicle and trailers is not permitted at the private parking lot across from Emanuel Baptist Church in Hammond's Plains. Only authorized parking at that location. Please respect private property at all times.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT EVENTS AND MEETINGS 

To be clear, all in-person events and meetings (including rallies and fun runs) are postponed until social distancing measures are lifted by public health officials. 

These measures are in place to protect you and your family. We must do our part to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotia. Now is not the time to look for loop holes or ways around public health directives. Public health describes social distancing as gathering in groups of five or less for ESSENTIAL purposes. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Kevin Lombard
President
ATVANS

Broadhorns ATV Club, in conjunction with Guysborough Trails Association and St. Mary's Trails Association, has closed the Old Guysborough rail-bed (TCT) to motorized traffic between Guysborough and Aspen. (the old rail bed, see map below).

VERY IMPORTANT

ATVANS AGM POSTPONED

March 16^th 2020

Please be advised that the board of directors of ATVANS, acting on advice from public health officials and legal counsel, have decided to postpone the planned AGM scheduled for April 24-26^th. The board will continue to monitor the ongoing public health issues and notify members when the AGM will be rescheduled.

The board’s first and foremost concern is the health and safety of our members, staff and guests.  Guests who have already paid to register will receive a full refund. Those who may have already booked hotel rooms are advised to contact Holiday Inn immediately to cancel their room. Should you have any issues in this matter please feel free to contact us and we will provide any assistance we can.

The board further directs that all planned zone meetings be postponed until further notice and advises clubs to consider postponing upcoming club meetings. Should clubs decide to cancel future meetings we can assist in member notification.

Barry Barnet

Executive Director ATVANS

ATTENTION: Please be aware that there is a bridge out on the Marine Riders' 501 trail. This bridge is known as the Roger Mailman Bridge, or the Jeep Bridge. There is no way around this area. Please avoid this area until we are able to replace this bridge.

The Richmond County Rail Trail is under construction from Grande Anse to River Tillard, but is completely closed from Grande Anse to Thibeauville/Back Route Road.  We would ask that people stay off that section due to safety reasons surrounding the complete reshaping of the trail and water management strategies like trenches through the center of the trail.

Map shows area of the closure

The Small Grant Budget has been allocated for 2019. Hat's off to the Clubs and their hard work, well done!

Each year ATVANS manages the ATVANS Small Project grant program. This year $100,000 has been set aside for small local projects. Clubs can apply for up to $5000 per project with matching funds or in-kind labour. This program is administered by Corey Robar (trails coordinator) and has oversight from the ATVANS trails committee.

Clubs should contact Corey prior to starting any work to see if their project is eligible. This program is an important tool for building and maintaining our trail network. For more details contact Corey Robar at trails@atvans.org.  All unused funds are not carried forward.

All Members:

Trail is OPEN again after the repairs and upgrades were completed, see attached map.

Corey Robar
Trails Coordinator
ATV Association of Nova Scotia
email:  trails@atvans.org
Tel: 902-521-9790

This past weekend members of the Marine Riders ATV Club volunteered their time to help out the Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation at their 13th Annual Trail Ride and Drive. This year it was held at the Dollar Lake Provincial Park in Wyses Corner.

The Marine Riders helped ferry supplies around the park on their ATVs and Side by Sides, managed parking for all the attendees and their trailers as well as patrolled the park and gave assistance where needed. This was a unique opportunity to ride alongside our 4 hooved friends and see the sites at the beautiful Dollar Lake Provincial Park.

Many thanks go out to Suzanne Killen (and the rest of her team) at NSEF for putting together such a wonderful event and inviting the Marine Riders along once again. The Marine Riders look forward to being a part of this event again next year.