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Featured Trail Builder
Sherm Embree
Name of Trail?
Woodland Multi Use and Shelburne County ATV Association trails: We have four trails:
a. Sable to Canada Hill,
b. Tom Tigney Wilderness,
c. Port Clyde to Clements Pond (Swaines Road), and
d. Woods Harbour to Yarmouth County.
Name of Trail Association?
Woodland Multi Use Trail
Association (WMTA) in
partnership with the 
Shelburne County ATV Association
Location of Trailhead?
a. Sable River (Hwy 103 Km 117) where East Sable River Road meets Highway 103 at the Tom Tigney Old Mill, going to the Queens / Shelburne County line
near Wilkins Lake,
b. Sable River (310 Hwy 3) to
intersection of Canada Hill Road
and Hwy 3 in
Allendale,
c. Clements Pond (Hwy 103 Km 64) to intersection of Lyalls Road with Hwy 309 in Port Clyde,
d. Central Woods Harbour at Cemetery Road to Centreville where Hwy 3 meets the Yarmouth / Shelburne County line, and
e. WMTA also holds a Letter of Authority issued in Feb 2012 for
trail from Central Woods Harbour
(28 Station Road) to Doctors
Cove, Fresh Brook which we are
planning
to construct during 2012.
Number of Kilometres?
a. 10 km
b. 8.3 km
c. 5.9 km
d. 8.3 km Total: 32.5 km
e. 11.9 km (planned for 2012)
total: 44.4 km
Year Trail Planning Began?
June 2006
Year Trail Construction Began?
a. August 2008
b. September 2009
c. June 2010
d. September 2011
Year Trail Opened?
a. October 2009
b. October 2010
c. September 2010
d. October 2011
Trail Website?
www.shelburnecountyatvclub.ca under construction and also has a Facebook page for members only at this point.
How long have you been involved in trail development in Nova Scotia?
I have been involved in
trail development in Nova Scotia
for six years.
Are you still involved in the trail
movement?
Yes, I am currently the Secretary and
Treasurer for the Woodland Multi-Use
Trail Association and have recently been involved with the submission of applications for funding to develop trail from Woods Harbour
to Barrington.
Why did you decide to become
involved?
To contribute to South West Nova Scotia having a continuous interconnected recreational trail around this end of the province and to have that trail part of the Trans Canada Trail. We also wanted to create an approved, accessible and useful place
for Off Highway Vehicle owners
to legally operate their vehicles in
this rural area where none
previously existed.
What do you feel was your biggest success and why?
To have, in a short period of time built trail nearly halfway through the 93 kilometers of abandoned rail bed in Shelburne County (when combined with developed municipal trails). This success was achieved through generous amounts of volunteer labour
contributions, the cooperation of
contractors along with the support
and advice given by related
offices, 
groups and associations.
We also owe our success to the large number volunteers who spent many hours developing and building our trails as well as the cooperation exercised between hikers and ATVers. We could not have built trails without these groups working together and the cooperation and support of the Municipalities of Shelburne and Barrington has been great. The
public meetings have become
very positive events with
encouragement from citizens and
adjacent landowners to extend our
development as soon and as
much as possible.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Our biggest challenge has been
to meet the high standards in the Letter of Authority conditions for bridge approvals with which we continue to struggle largely due to
the lack of availability of the
necessary professional expertise
to do this type of work. Our next
biggest 
challenge has been to
keep up with nature in the form of very aggressive beaver dam construction. This problem was addressed with the advice of NS Dept of the Environment, Ducks Unlimited assistance and Canadian National Railway expert advice. We continue to struggle with some trail flooding due to beaver activity finding that each attempted method works for three
months to two years only. Although
managing these obstacles are
challenging, we continue searching
for ways to cooperate with nature.
What do you feel are the best features of your trail?
The first three trails improve the abandoned rail bed access to view wonderful lakes, wildlife, wilderness area and large natural bogs which usually can only be seen in much more remote areas of South West Nova Scotia. On the last trail, the best feature is
that it is so much like a linear park
to the adjacent landowners who
really appreciate the access to
such a long recreational facility
with many landowners creating
their own access to the trail for whatever form of locomotion they desire including off highway vehicles.
What part of your trail are you most proud of and why?
We are most proud of the quality and length of trail we have built. We take great pride that our trail engenders respect among all
users which in turn encourages us
to continue to pursue our dream
for the benefit of the community.
When the water level is under
control the kilometer of trail
starting at 310 Hwy 3 Sable River going south on rail bed through the middle of a beaver lake has a spectacular view of plants, water plants, birds and wildlife. A key reason we build wilderness trails
is so that a wide variety of people can have access to such sights.
How do you feel your trail has
contributed to your community?
Our trails, in conjunction with the
municipal trails which are
extended by three of our trails,
have encouraged many people to
participate in outdoor recreation and get involved with their community that otherwise may not have. Our trails have been included as event sites for municipal recreation programs, fundraisers and volunteer group activities. Also, in the future, we see our trails contributing to the
economy of the area as tour
groups may start to use them for
bicycle, Off Highway Vehicles or
hiking trips.
What is the best part of being
a trailbuilder?
The best part of being a trailbuilder is the reward of progress, the development and the potential of the community including its heritage and the variety of people who use the trail.
Why would you encourage
other to be involved in the
trail movement?
I would encourage others to be
involved in the trail movement
to be among those who are contributing the physical, health and spiritual development of their community. We have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and appreciate our outdoors, rural and remote areas with trail development of Nova Scotia’s abandoned railways. Trail development will contribute to the ability of our fellow citizens to
develop and maintain their
physical and mental health.
What advice would you give
to other trail builders just starting out?
Be patient and be diligent. That takes lots of support from others so don’t be shy to lean on help from those in NS Department of Health and Wellness, NS Dept of Natural Resources, ATVANS, adjacent trail associations who have done similar work, and of course NS Trails. You need to make your organization one of persistent people who have, or can develop, strong administrative, project management and public relations skills.
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Holly Woodill, CHPTA
Name of Trail?
Salt Marsh Trail, Heritage Trail, Panorama Trail, Poor’s Farm Road, Jerry Lone Cloud, Brook Trail, Jersey Jack Trail, Costley Farm Trail and Shearwater Flyer Trail.
Name of Trail Association?
Cole Harbour Parks & Trails Association
Location of Trailhead?
There are 6 trailheads in three communities, most of which are along the Bissett Road.
Number of Kilometres?
There are 26 kilometres of open trail. Some of the trails are linear and some are looping.
Year Trail Planning Began?
Trail planning began 12 years ago.
Year Trail Construction Began?
The Salt Marsh Trail began construction about 10 years ago.
Year Trail Opened?
The Salt Marsh Trail opened ten years ago. The provincial park, along with most of the CHPTA Trails officially opened in 2007.
Trail Website?
www.chtpa.org
How long have you been involved 
in trail development in Nova Scotia?
I became involved in trail development in the late 1970’s. Inspired by the Appalachian Trail, I was trying to assist with a national trail being established in Canada. Also, while in high school, I joined a group of students to fight against plans to build apartments at what is now the Shubenacadie Canal Park location. We met privately with
the Mayor and Councillors and won!
We had a voice and made an impact
by helping to preserve an historical site.
Are you still involved in the trail movement?
Yes and not about to retire any time soon. I am currently president of the Cole Harbour Parks & Trails Association which is heavily involved in several projects. The Bissett Lake Project entails taking the trail through
municipal rehab lands and going
across the head of Bissett Lake
where bird watchers and naturalists are very excited. The plan is to continue up Bissett Brook to Cole Harbour Road, and then in the more distant future, HRM would like development to continue across Cole Harbour road and go through Forest Hills to Main Street.
Another large project we are involved in is reinforcing the Salt Marsh Trail against storm surge and protecting the marsh in the harbour to withstand
environmental changes.
Why did you decide to become involved?
I decided to become involved because I did not like seeing the forests, wilderness areas and wet lands, disappearing.
What do you feel was your
biggest success and why?
I feel our biggest success was opening the Cole Harbour Coastal
Heritage Park.
What challenges have you faced
and how did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges we have faced were the damages caused by Hurricane Juan and the repeated storm surges along unprotected areas of the Salt Marsh Trail. Overcoming these events takes patience and persistence. The storm surge took 4 feet of the height of the trail for about
4 kms and dumped it into the salt
marsh. 
The first course of action we
took was to save the salt marsh. With
cooperation from DNR, DFO,
Environment Canada and the province, we clawed rock out of the marsh and put it back on the trail. It looks rough and is unprotected so each year we continue to reinforce
the sides and raise the trail where it has been reinforced. Next year, at whatever point we left off, we will start
again from there.
The most disappointing challenge we are facing is the loss of the Big Red Barn. This loss is heartbreaking as we were about to make it an interpretive educational heritage and environmental centre. Wind, thermal, and solar energy demonstrations were included in these plans to assist
in paying for the facility. 
We have not
given up on replacing the barn and will persevere until it is rebuilt.
What do you feel are the best features of your trail?
The best features are the variation of old woodland, wetland vistas, closed intimate brooks, old farm land , archaeology digs, and that the trail system is surrounded by suburbia so people can walk out
of their house and be on a trail.
What part of your trail are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of the Salt Marsh Trail because of all of the dedicated volunteers who have worked on it in the past and present. It is a beautiful combination of water trail and land trail. The Salt Marsh Trail is considered a major destination that
is internationally known and was the first and only trail for many years
featured in the Rails to Trails
Conservancy Magazine in the United
States.
How do you feel your trail has contributed to your community?
The trail group is a major community leader. We are always part of the process and represent the community
when it comes to boundary issues,
power line issues, culture, heritage
and environment.
What is the best part of being a trailbuilder?
Seeing our accomplishments and realizing what we can do when we don’t give up.
Why would you encourage others
to be involved in the trail
movement?
I would encourage others to get involved in the trail movement for the sense of accomplishment you feel when you realize what you can achieve, and to see how you can affect so many lives, whether it be a turtle or a child’s opinion of his world around them. Trails help keep people active, because
everyone can afford to walk on
a trail, it’s free.
What advice would you give to other trail builders just starting out?
I would advise trailbuilders to learn patience. Tell them that if they are patient, determined and don’t give up or go away, they will accomplish their goals. I would also encourage them to look to other trail groups for advice. There are many resources and knowledgeable, experienced people willing to help.
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Bob Gould, TATA
Name of Trail?
Short Line Railbed Trail (Colchester portion 25km)
Name of Trail Association?
Tatamagouche Area Trails Association
Location of Trailhead?
The trailhead is located west of Tatamagouche, HWY 6 (Other access points include the big parking lot at Creamery Square in the Village of Tatamagouche, Sutherland Steel Mill Museum in Denmark, as well as 7 or 8 road crossings.)
Number of Kilometres?
There is a total of 117km of trail all
together.
Year Trail Planning Began?
Colchester Trails Association was started in 1998 and in May 2008 the name was changed to Tatamagouche Area Trails Association.
Year Trail Construction Began?
Repair and maintenance of the trail started prior to 1998.
Year Trail Opened?
Actually, the trail was used as soon
as the trains ceased to use it in the
1970s. Colchester Trails Association
began managing the trail in 1998.
Trail Website?
No
How long have you been involved in trail development in Nova Scotia?
I have been involved in trail development since 2006.
Are you still involved in the trail
movement?
Yes, I volunteered to be the Treasurer
of Tatamagouche Area Trails Association and have also inherited the role of Secretary as well.
Why did you decide to become involved?
I always enjoyed using the trail. I used to ATV and snowmobile two or three times a year, and now like to snow-shoe, walk, bike, and cross-country ski when the opportunity arises. I first became involved when I was invited
by a neighbour to a trail meeting for
the Colchester trails Association. I was
involved in the decision to change the
name to Tatamagouche Area Trails
Association and have been an active volunteer ever since.
What do you feel was your biggest success and why?
I feel my biggest accomplishment was repairing a very large bridge west of Tatamagouche. This 100 year old bridge was damaged from ice and erosion. The centre pier had deterior
-ated and eroded and needed
immediate 
attention so we hired a
contractor. We also researched and contracted an engineering package that included services of a diver. This was an extensive project that included digging out the old stone that had crumbled and putting up new concrete forms. Once the centre pier was completed we continued on with the knowledge we had gained and contracted the repair of the other two piers the following summer.
What challenges have you faced
and how did you overcome them?
We took on a project to apply crusher dust to 2 ½ kilometres of the Butter Trail and found that applying for and being awarded funding is one of the biggest challenges facing trailbuilders. There is a lot to learn about obtaining funding for trail development and maintenance. I had to find out where to apply, how to fill out the paperwork properly as well as gather all of the required documents. I also had to learn what could be reimbursed, such
as a portion of the HST paid. Applying
for funding is an involved process but
was worth 
it in the end, because we
received a lot of positive feedback from trail users in wheelchairs and bikers.
What do you feel are the best features of your trail?
Our trail is full of beautiful scenery. There are birch trees, open fields, beaver dams, ponds, brooks, rivers and historical sites. Some of the historical sites include the Sutherland Steam Mill Museum, the Tatamagouche Creamery, remains of
Ship Building slips, and ancient
Acadian and First Nations Burial
Grounds. Just west of TATA’s section is the Wallace Bridge, which contains a section that was designed to swing to let sailing ships pass. Another great feature is that this trail is a multi-use trail that accommodates a large number of trail users, such as walkers, hikers, horses, off highway vehicles, snowmobiles, etc.
What part of your trail are you most proud of and why?
The part of my trail I am most proud of
is the Butter Trail. The Butter Trail is
the most used section of the trail and
offers a 4 1/2 km walk through a beautiful scenic village. This trail passes over an old road, King Street, commonly known as Patterson Wharf Road leading to a 50 by 50 foot patio deck with stone fire place Barbeque, picnic tables, seating and a sand box for the kids to play in. This picnic area was built by the television production, “The Week the Women Went”.
How do you feel your trail has contributed to your community?
This trail is well used by community
members of all ages and abilities. It provides a beautiful scenic walk along the shores of the river, a thruway for local ATVs as well as groomed sections for snowmobilers. The trail also connects Nelson Park to the village.
What is the best part of being a trailbuilder?
The best part of being a trailbuilder is the public feedback.
Why would you encourage others
to be
involved in the trail
movement?
I would encourage others to be involved for the personal feeling of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Also, trails will not last if they are left on their own. They need continuous maintenance such as culvert clearing/replacements, brush cutting, ditching, bridge repairs, resurfacing and signage.
What advice would you give to other trail builders just starting out?
I would advise trailbuilders to solicit help from someone who knows what is available for funding. I would encourage them to be diligent and do the paperwork and to realize projects require a year and a half of planning before it can be started. I would also suggest they share the work with the community, hire a lot of local contractors and give everyone a piece of the pie.
