By Craig Westcott/October 14, 2022
The Bay Bulls - Bauline Athletic Association is asking the provincial Environment Department for approval to build and operate a multi-use trail along the north end of the Southern Shore.
The 4.1 kilometre route would be open to ATV use, cycling, walking, hiking, snowshoeing, and other activities.
“The trail is to link Cape Pond Road to Horse Chops Road in addition to the trail through Cape Broyle, Calvert and Ferryland,” according to a document filed with the department by the BBBAA’s regional recreation director Carla Sullivan. “The development is designed to be wide enough to allow pedestrians and motorized vehicles to occupy the space together.”
The application was registered on October 6. The deadline for public comments is November 11, with the minister’s decision due by November 20.
“Residents along the Southern Shore enjoy the outdoors and they are looking for opportunities to travel further on their ATV’s/snowmobiles right at home,” said the BBBAA document. “Many people in this region travel to the west coast of Newfoundland each winter for snowmobiling trips and our goal is to create an environment where people can stay at home for their annual snowmobile trips and to also bring people to this region of the island. A trail like this is something that residents have expressed interest in for a long time now. The Southern Shore is also a destination for cabin owners and campers, and we envision it to be a travel destination for those looking to plan ATV and snowmobile trips, with the opportunity to hike/bike/snowshoe as well. Linking up the already existing trials will provide users the opportunity to travel longer distances on their ATV’s/snowmobiles.
The trail is approximately 13km’s west of Tors Cove and approximately nine km’s west of Cape Broyle. It is located two kms east of the Avalon Wilderness Area and west of La Manche Provincial Park.
The trail will occupy Crown Land, but no buildings, shelters or look-out will be constructed, according to the BBBAA.
“We will be minimizing the number of trees that are cut in the process, however, the trees and logs that are cut during construction will be used for bridging along the trail,” said Sullivan “The size of the area affected by the undertaking is approximately 1 hectare or 2.5 acres… This undertaking will not go through any wetlands. There is currently an unofficial trail that goes through the wetland area and the whole point of our application is to the construct a trail that avoids the wetlands and goes through highlands.”
Sullivan noted that public consultation consisted of polling for a petition of support, which
netted 1,391 names. Construction of the trail will be done by volunteers, with fundraising efforts to cover fuel costs for the equipment.
The BBBAA consists f one full time regional recreation director and 14 volunteer board members.
