“Fundy Trail Parkway’s Future in New Brunswick Government Hands”
The New Brunswick government has announced its plan to assume control and management of the Fundy Trail Parkway by the end of this year. The parkway, which has been under the jurisdiction of the Fundy Trail Development Authority since its construction began in 1995, will now be overseen by the provincial government. This transition comes after the Fundy Trail Development Authority provided a 180-day notice on June 14, as an agreement clause allowed for the park to be handed over to the province for operation.
During an interview, Tammy Scott-Wallace, the Minister of Tourism, stated “This has been a conversation we’ve been having with the Fundy Trail Development Authority for a while now.”
Additionally, Tammy Scott-Wallace mentioned, “It was always a potential and this is really where the board itself has decided they want to put this gem in the hands of the people in the department where it’s best suited to move it forward.”
The Minister expressed gratitude for the efforts of the non-profit organization that has managed the park and expressed optimism about advancing the park’s vision. The Fundy Trail Parkway, spanning 2,529 hectares and extending over 30 kilometers, boasts more than 35 kilometers of hiking and biking trails.
“The province does have a master plan that’s in its draft form for the park. We have a lot of ideas for enhancement of services for our visitors,” she expressed.
Over the next few months, the provincial government will conduct a thorough review of park operations, potentially exploring opportunities for service improvements. The review will also assess staffing requirements and job classifications, and existing employees, in their unionized positions, will be required to reapply for their positions with the province.
The minister said, “I certainly don’t anticipate a reduction in the number of staff. We really want to provide a more exceptional experience than people already have when they go through the gates”.
The official transfer of park management and operation to the province is scheduled for December 12, and during this interim period, the Fundy Trail Development Authority will collaborate with the government department to ensure a seamless transition. This move signifies a significant change in the governance of the Fundy Trail Parkway, which has been a prominent recreational and natural attraction in New Brunswick since its inception in 1998.
In a news release, board chair Andrew Dixon, stated, “The Fundy Trail Development Authority is delighted that the parkway’s coming-of-age story will culminate in official status within the New Brunswick provincial park system.”
