TRAIL GAP ANALYSIS REPORT

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Urban Planning + Design Studio

Prepared for

Southeast Regional Service Commission

Prepared by UPLAND and Viridis Project No. 150201

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Trail Gap Analysis Report Table of Contents

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2 Gap Analysis 2

2.1 Challenges and Opportunities 3

2.2 Trail Gaps 3 Petitcodiac to Elgin Elgin to Riverside-Albert Elgin to Alma Petitcodiac to Salisbury Salisbury to Riverview Salisbury to Moncton Shediac to Cape Tormentine Sackville to Dorchester Memramcook to Sackville Memramcook to Dieppe Riverview to Hillsborough Hillsborough to Riverside Albert Riverside-Albert to Alma Sackville to Nova Scotia Border Tri-City Communities

Schools

3 Conclusions 14

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Trail Gap Analysis Report Introduction

Page 1

as trails, arenas, sports fields, pools, parks and beaches, playgrounds, golf courses, tennis courts, curling clubs, skateboard parks, ski hills, and bowling alleys.

The Southeast Regional Service Com-mission (SERSC) has initiated this study in an effort to develop a long-term regional recreation plan that encom-passes the fifteen municipalities and surrounding rural areas that comprise the Southeast Regional Service District. Funded by Tourism, Heritage and

Cul-For the purpose of this study, trail gaps were defined as missing links between existing trails or missing links to im-portant destinations. Destinations that

1.2 What are Trail Gaps? require connections include schools, recreational facilities, parks, centers of employment, community focal points and walkable town centers.

The Trail Gap Analysis Report builds on the previously completed trail inventory and identifies connectivity gaps in the District that could be filled. The informa-tion contained in this report is intended to inform the subsequent recreation master plan for the District, which will set development priorities and will define the costs and timing associated with completing the trail network. This report is not intended to represent a feasibility study.

There are a number of compelling reasons for closing the gaps in the District’s trail system. The motivation to complete the trails is based on a num-ber of tangible benefits including: • improved recreational and shoreline

access;

• increased participation in active

1.3 Why Close Trail Gaps? transportation;

• environmental restoration and edu-cation;

• community health;

• access to and preservation of open space; and

• economic vitality.

of the main factors in

improving the health of

our communities and in

attracting new residents

and development”

.

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Trail Gap Analysis Report Background / Analysis Page 3

natural beauty of our region, residents use and enjoy the many public places for leisure such as trails, arenas, sports fields, pools, parks, playgrounds, golf courses, tennis courts, curling clubs, skateboard parks, ski hills, and bowl-ing alleys. Many of these assets can currently only be accessed by car or through off-road motorized vehicles. A number of municipalities have exten-sive trail networks. However, in many

gaps:

• enable shared routes between mo-torized and non-momo-torized whenev-er possible (outside the tri-commu-nity area);

• facilitate property easement agree-ments;

• consider property acquisition; • manage a large number of property

owners; •

There are fourteen main trail gaps highlighted in this report that, if closed, would link the municipalities and recre-ational assets in the Southeast Region. Specifically highlighted are also trail gaps in the tri-communities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

The fourteen identified trail gaps are:

2.2 Trail Gaps 1. Petitcodiac to Elgin 2. Elgin to Riverside-Albert 3. Elgin to Alma

4. Petitcodiac to Salisbury 5. Salisbury to Riverview 6. Salisbury to Moncton 7. Shediac to Cape Tormentine 8. Sackville to Dorchester 9. Memramcook to Sackville 10. Memramcook to Dieppe 11. Riverview to Hillsborough 12. Hillsborough to Riverside Albert 13. Riverside-Albert to Alma 14. Sackville to Nova Scotia Border

• align projects between municipali-ties.

Opportunities associated with closing trail gaps are:

• utilize the abundance of existing ATV and snowmobile routes ; • establish a series of loops and

op-tions with trail variety; and

• create public access to existing nat-ural features, historical and cultnat-ural sites.

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Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

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OVERVIEW

Moncton Alma Petitcodiac Sackville Cape Tormentine Riverside-Albert Salisbury Elgin Dorchester Memramcook Dieppe Riverview

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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3

PETITCODIAC - ELGIN

Petitcodiac Elgin

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Description

• along part of the Pollet River • former CN rail line

• uses existing motorized trails

Challenges

• could require amendments to ex-isting land-use agreements and/or special permission to allow non-mo-torized usage of shared trails.

Recommendations

• initiate discussions with ATV/Snow-mobile groups

• develop shared-use agreements between motorized and non-motor-ized users

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ELGIN - RIVERSIDE-ALBERT

Riverside-Albert Elgin

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Description

• uses existing motorized trails • passes by the Kent Hills Wind Farm • runs along the base of the

Caledo-nia Mountain

Challenges

Recommendations

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ELGIN - ALMA

Alma Elgin

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Description

• connects into the Dobson Trail just North of Fundy National Park

• provides for a more direct route with interesting terrain

Challenges

Recommendations

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PETITCODIAC - SALISBURY

Salisbury Petitcodiac

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Description

• there are several options for trail connections between Petiticodiac and Salisbury

• recommended route takes advan-tage of an existing road right-of-way and is proposed to:

- follow along former TransCan ada highway (less traffic) - optional route R.O.W of new highway

Challenges

• caution at highway inter-changes • high speed traffic

• limited access at bridge crossings

Recommendations

• possible widening of shoulder • signage

• pavement markings This trail connection would see Petitcodiac and Salisbury connected by using the ‘old highway.’

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SALISBURY - RIVERVIEW

Riverview Salisbury

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A connection between Salisbury and Riverview is very desirable and has the potential to follow along the Petitcodiac River.

Description

• utilizes existing dykes where pos-sible

• along South side of Petitcodiac River

• optional route to utilize existing mo-torized trails to connect to Dobson trail

Challenges

• new trail, ie. property negotiations • river/creek crossings

• road crossings

• require environmental permissions

Recommendations

• connect to routes in Riverview’s Active Transportation Plan • further investigate existing dykes

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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 3 3

SALISBURY - MONCTON

Salisbury

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Providing a connection between Salisbury to Moncton will allow for a link to Magnetic Hill and into the Tankville end of the Irish-town Nature Park.

Description

• follow along former TransCanada highway (less traffic)

• optional R.O.W of new highway

Challenges

• caution at highway inter-changes • high speed traffic

• road crossings

Recommendations

• widened shoulder • signage

• pavement markings

• completion of trail within Irishtown Nature Park

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SHEDIAC - CAPE TORMENTINE

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Cape Tormentine

A trail linking Shediac to Cape Tormentine has the potential to connect a number of coastal parks.

Description

• coastal route (less traffic) • views of the Northumberland

Straight

• connects L’Aboiteau Provincial Park, Cap-Pele and Murray Beach Provincial Park

Challenges

Recommendations

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SACKVILLE - DORCHESTER

Sackville Dorchester

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Description

• shortcut route

• follow along Route 106

Challenges

• limited access at bridge crossings • route crosses many residential

driveways

• hydro pole locations could impact shoulder widening

Recommendations

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MEMRAMCOOK - MIDDLE SACKVILLE

Middle Sackville Memramcook

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MIDDLE SACKVILLE

Description

• ties into existing trail system • uses existing motorized trails

Challenges

Recommendations

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MEMRAMCOOK - DIEPPE

Dieppe Memramcook

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There are two recommended routes to provide connections between Memramcook and Dieppe. Recent trail development along the Petitcodiac have begun to close this gap but additional trail implementation is required to make the link.

Description

• recommended #1 Link - follow along Route 925 from Memramcook to Pre-d’en Haut.

• recommended #2 - follow along Route 106 from Memramcook to Do-ver Roadmultiuse trail separated by boulevard connect to City of Dieppe active transportation plan

Challenges

• route crosses many residential driveways

• shared route with passenger vehi-cles

Recommendations

• widened shoulder • wignage

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RIVERVIEW - HILLSBOROUGH

Riverview Hillsborough

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Description

• uses existing motorized trails • travels through Dawson Settlement

Challenges

• could require amendments to ex-isting land-use agreements and/or special permission to allow non-mo-torized usage of shared trails. •

• number of potential river crossings and wetlands could be restrictive to trail locations on some sections of the trail

Recommendations

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HILLSBOROUGH - RIVERSIDE ALBERT

Riverside Albert

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RIVERSIDE ALBERT

Description

• coastal trail along Route 114 • passes through Hopewell Rocks

Provincial Park

• connects to existing trail system in Riverside-Albert

Challenges

• high traffic

• limited access at bridge crossings • crosses many residential driveways

Recommendations

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RIVERSIDE-ALBERT - ALMA

Riverside Albert Alma

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A trail linking Riverside-Albert to Alma and Fundy National Park, has the potential to take in a number of scenic views over the Bay of Fundy. This recommended trail would connect to significant natural features of Cape Enrage and a number of smaller beaches.

Description

• coastal trail along Route 915 • connects to Cape Enrage

• features multiple views of the Bay of Fundy

Challenges

• limited access at bridge crossings • narrow route shared with passenger

vehicles

Recommendations

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SACKVILLE - NOVA SCOTIA BORDER

Nova Scotia Border Sackville

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NOVA SCOTIA BORDER

Description

• follows Trans-Canada Highway #2 • crosses Tantramar Marshes

Challenges

• requires environmental permissions • sections adjacent to major 4 lane

highway

• requries coordination with Province of Nova Scotia

Recommendations

• locate trail to avoid highway inter-changes

• link to Nova Scotia Visitor Informa-tion Centre

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TRI-COMMUNITY TRAIL GAPS

Riverview Moncton

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TRAIL GAPS

Description

• close loops between existing trails and active transportation routes

Challenges

• needs coordination between all three communities

Recommendations

• build on existing activet tranporta-tion plans

• build on recreation master plans and updates

• implement trails into the frameworks for new subdivisions and develop-ments

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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS 1 1₂₂ 3 3 1 1₂₂ 3 3

SCHOOL LOCATIONS

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Description

Perhaps the biggest opportunity for leaving a long-lasting impact in influ-encing attitudes towards active trans-portation, lays in the provision of safe cycling and walking routes around schools. School locations should be integrated into adjacent active transpor-tation networks or should be provided with their own local school catchment area trail facilities.

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ed geodatabase. This invaluable tool will allow SERSC staff to continuously update important information relating to changes in the status of particular

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