Damage to popular Halifax-area trail prompts RCMP investigation
The B.L.T. trail in the Halifax area has recently been targeted by vandals, leaving the non-profit group responsible for its maintenance devastated. The RCMP is currently investigating the damage, which is believed to have occurred between the night of November 2nd and the following morning.
According to the B.L.T. Rails to Trails association, ten metal gates meant to prevent large vehicles from accessing the trail were torn down, bent, or destroyed. Deepak Prasad, the association’s chair, expressed his disappointment, stating, “We’re just devastated, heartbroken, and disappointed that this actually happened.”
The 13-kilometre trail, which starts in Beechville and runs through communities like Timberlea and Hubley, is popular among runners, cyclists, dog walkers, snowmobilers, and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts. The damaged gates stretch along 7 km of the trail, with suspicions that a vehicle entered at Hubley and drove to Timberlea.
Aside from keeping unauthorized vehicles off the path, the gates are meant to slow down trail users, such as people on ATVs. Prasad emphasized the compromised safety of trail users due to the vandalism. Last summer, the trail sustained $50,000 in damage from flash flooding, which was covered by the province.
This time, the association will need to fundraise for repairs, which could include removing, repairing, or replacing the gates that cost $2,500 each when installed years ago. Prasad highlighted potential costs associated with the repairs, such as welding and heavy machinery expenses. The total cost for replacing the gates remains unknown at this time.
Despite the damage, the trail remains open to the public. The association and the RCMP are urging anyone with information about the vandalism to contact the police. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Prasad remains hopeful that the individuals responsible for the vandalism will come forward and take responsibility for their actions. He stated, “We’re just hoping that the person who did cause the damage does the right thing in this and goes to the police so we can work this out.”
The B.L.T. trail serves as a valuable recreational space for the community, and the association is committed to restoring it for the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.
