When a very popular multi-use trail in HRM was vandalized over the weekend, it felt almost like a punch to the stomach, according to Deepak Prasad, Chair of the B.L.T Rails to Trails Association.
The B.L.T Trail that runs through Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea stretches for 13 km, has been around for over 25 years and is heavily used.
Saturday night, ten gates that prevent vehicles from driving on the trail, were damaged – to fix them will cost thousands.
Prasad tells our newsroom the gates were either bent, twisted or snapped right off.
Photo: RCMP
“So, it’s very heartbreaking, and it’s even more heartbreaking for us because our trail had a significant amount of damage after the flash floods two years ago and we are still trying to get the maintenance and stuff figured out for that. Just because it’s been, very time consuming. It’s very hard work. And now to go through this…it’s just… our volunteers are in dismay.”
A community effort
Nine people are on the board of directors and a number of people in the community, volunteer.
He says, volunteers are either working or extremely busy, so they do what they can.
“When someone does a mischief act like this, it’s just so disrespectful for the public community, the volunteers and the volunteers who came before us.”
When the trail gets closed off for maintenance or for any type of damage, Prasad says, it really impacts people.
“We get emails all the time saying, ‘please open the trails as soon as possible.'”
He adds, community members need the trail because it’s good for their mental health.
“Some people aren’t in a financial position to use a gym, so they use the trail as their primary fitness space. It’s a safe space, and unfortunately, someone has violated that.”
The barricades were put in place to prevent vehicles from driving on the trail and without them, Prasad says, safety is a “huge concern”.
What’s next?
The property is owned by the province, but through a letter of authority, the community maintains it.
Prasad says, they are still gathering information, but they know that their insurance does not cover the hefty price tag to fix things.
“We’ve spoken to our stakeholders and our partners, and we have had one identify themselves as a potential funding source, but the majority of the funds raised to fix this, is going to have to be community fundraisers.”
He says, you can go to their webpage and donate, and you will receive a tax receipt.
However, they still have to figure out all the details before they put out a tender to a contractor, and have certain standards to follow.
Prasad says, they are disappointed and sorry that this happened and ask trail users to be patient.
RCMP say if you have any information on the investigation call police or Crime Stoppers.
