Millennium Trail is going to see some changes to what kinds of vehicles are allowed on it.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Prince Edward County Council debated on whether to establish new rules for the trail, restricting access to certain types of vehicles and banning commercial activity.
The proposed changes to the by-laws governing the trail limit vehicle access to off road vehicles like ATVs as defined in the Off Road Vehicles Act, snow vehicles such as snowmobiles as defined in the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, Bicycles, Dog Sleds, police or other emergency vehicles, and farm equipment.
Horseback riding is permitted.
The new rules also forbid commercial activity on the trail except where permitted by the municipality. Vendor stands, tours, or other services wanting to operate on the trail will need to seek a permit from the municipal government before they start.
During the debate, Councillor Phil St-Jean said that it was important to address the concerns of the trail’s usage that had been brought forward by the community.
“We’re trying to rectify what we perceive to be lacking in the current by-law, and is a serious concern, from a very large number of people in our community,” said Councillor St-Jean.
Councillor Bill Roberts brought up concerns with the speed of some vehicles on the trail, noting that motorcycles that were travelling on Millennium Trail previously were moving at very high speed.
“I mean, it’s like a NASCAR track out there sometimes, and once that NASCAR goes by as a motorcycle or in some cases an ATV, we then have a kind of big prairie dust storm,” said Councillor Roberts.
Those found in violation of the rules surrounding the trail, whether by speeding, using an unauthorized type of vehicle, or engaging in commercial activity without a permit could face steep fines.
County staff were also directed to begin a usage study to determine how people are engaging with the trail, to help inform future decisions about how to manage it.
Committee of the Whole passed the resolution to amend the by-law and it was forwarded to the next county council meeting on June 13 for final approval.
