The B.L.T. Rails to Trails Association was incorporated on September 28, 2020 by our founding members lead by Catherine Klefenz and Lindsey Gates. The trail association today is comprised of a number of volunteers within the Beechville, Lakeside, Timberlea, Hubley, and Lake Lewis area, whom manage a former 13 km rail bed corridor from Beechville to Hubley. The multi-use trail is open year round and open to walkers, bikers, ATVs, dogs, and anyone who just wants to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

The objective of the trail association are:

  1. To provide a setting that offers optimal outdoor recreation opportunities for residents of Beechville, Lakeside, Timberlea, Hubley, and Lewis Lake and visitors.
  2. To ensure a safe environment on the trail through signage, crosswalks, bridge railings, and access control. To seek funding for the development, building, and maintenance of the trail.
  3. To build recreational areas in suitable locations along the trail as deemed appropriate.
  4. To connect with neighbouring trail systems and build new satellite trails as opportunities become available.
  5. To work cooperatively with kindred volunteer organizations such as the Nova Scotia Trails Federation, Halifax Regional Trails Association, Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization (managers of The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail), St. Margaret’s Bay Rails to Trails Association, St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association, and Safety Minded ATV Association to implement these objectives.
  6. To enhance local tourism and economic development in the local region.

Associations

The B.L.T. Rails to Trails is linked with the Chain of Lakes Trail, the Bluff Wilderness Trail, and the St. Margaret’s Bay Trail. It is also apart of the Rum Runners Trail and the Western Loop of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), and is a member of the Nova Scotia Trail Federation. We are also closely linked with Safety-Minded ATV Association. The trail association relies heavily on donations, support from the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Province of Nova Scotia (including various departments), Loblaws, Coca-Cola, NS Trail Federation, Trans Canada Trail, Off-Road Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, and individuals like yourself!

Governance

The B.L.T. Rails to Trails Association is registered with the Province of Nova Scotia’s Registry of Joint Stocks as a non-profit organization. Board members are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting and serve for a three-year term. The Association is governed by bylaws that were fully revised in 2021 and approved by the membership and the Registry of Joint Stocks; the directors are further guided by a number of policies.

By-Laws

B.L.T. Rails to Trails By-Laws: View PDF file (4 mb)

Documents

Board Insurance: View PDF file (66 kb)
Creation, Amendment, or Repeal of Policy: View PDF file (67 kb)
Criminal Record Check: View PDF file (96 kb)
Meeting Structure and Consented Agenda: View PDF file (68 kb)
Trail Maintenance Budget: View PDF file (69 kb)
Trail Maintenance Safety Policy: View PDF file (68 kb)
Tool Purchase, Rental, and Replacement: View PDF file (69 kb)
2021 AGM Documents: View PDF File (862 kb)

Board Members

Chairperson: Deepak Prasad (Lakeside, NS)
Past-Chairperson: Karen Sullivan (Timberlea, NS)
Vice-Chairperson: Kevin Cody (Timberlea, NS)
Treasurer: Tracey Wright (Hubley, NS)
Corporate Secretary:  Tara Kelly (Lakeside, NS)
Director – Trail Maintenance: Michael Matthews (Timberlea, NS)
Director – Community Engagement: Chris Olive (Timberlea, NS)
Director – At – Large: David Banks (Lakeside, NS)
Director – At – Large: Kevin Burgess (Beechville, NS)

All directors can be contacted via email at board@blttrails.ca