Project Overview
There are differences of opinion around whether motorized and non-motorized uses can/should co-exist within HRM. The Province and HRM are working together to find the common ground needed to ensure the Abandoned Rail Corridors continue to provide recreational opportunities and active transportation opportunities.
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Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea trail |
The provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Health and Wellness and Halifax Regional Municipality have partnered in a pilot project to develop a public consultation and engagement process for a section of the provincially owned abandoned rail corridors (ARCs) within Halifax Regional Municipality. The BLT-ARC pilot project proposal is the recommendation of a joint municipal/provincial working group that was formed in response to a call from HRM to address questions related to the co-management of ARCs within the Municipality.
Based upon the mutual understanding that the ARCs are suitable for shared use for a variety of environmental, social and fiscal reasons, excepting under certain conditions, HRM and the Province are working together to develop decision-making tools, mechanisms and processes to assist communities in determining the shared-use options on abandoned rail corridor trails within HRM. It is hoped that the results of this project will be transferable to other municipal jurisdictions in Nova Scotia.
The working group (including staff from HRM, Natural Resources and Health & Wellness) has established common language and understanding around trail issues and opportunities, including a need to work through differences between motorized and non-motorized concerns to ensure a positive outcome. A project team, consisting of a representative from each agency, has been formed to work with stakeholders to develop a consultation process that fits the community and will work together to find the common ground needed to ensure the abandoned rail corridors continue to provide recreational and active transportation opportunities.
The provincially managed ARCs in the HRM region is part of the public trail network in the HRM region which is a partnership between the 23 community trail organizations, under the umbrella of the Halifax Regional Trails Association, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and the Province of Nova Scotia.
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