Group Seeks Trail

A group in Eastern Newfoundland is lobbying the federal government to bend its rules and allow snowmobiling in a national park.

The Terra Nova Trail Riders want Ottawa to permit a corridor through Terra Nova National Park that would allow snowmobilers to access nearby trails.

It’s illegal to operate a snowmobile inside the boundaries of Terra Nova, one of two national parks in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Robyn Spracklin, who lives in Charlottetown – a community inside the park boundaries – said it’s unfair that she and others must drive for nearly 90 minutes to reach a trail.

“Everyone has to have a trailer, or a big truck or some way to tow their machine outside of the Terra Nova National Park boundaries, and to get to a location where they can go,” she said.

“It is quite costly and time consuming.”

The Trail Riders are appealing for federal permission to cut a 15-kilometre path from Charlottetown to another trail outside the park.

Park Supt. Jewel Cunningham said the park opposes such a plan, citing potential environmental impacts and concerns about disturbances to wildlife and habitat.
Source: CBC News