Community Engagement

Currently there is in the Town of Digby a multi use rail bed trail head at Digby Station(former train station) on First Avenue and the South end at Warwick Street there is approximately 790 Meters of connectivity missing along First Avenue. At this point in time we know that riders illegally use First Avenue to make that connection to the trail heads at either end of town.

 

The Town of Digby provides access to services such as food, fuel, and lodging along with other attractions which some riders are seeking.  We know that in 2015 a Direct spending report conducted by Nova Insights shows 189.4 Million of direct spending by ATV/OHV community the previous 12 months.

 

In June of 2022 the ATV Association of Nova Scotia along with the President of the local ATV club made a presented to Council regarding Trail Connectivity and Access to Services in the Town of Digby. The presentation reported the economic impacts that Off Highway Vehicle community direct spends as reported by a survey completed in 2015 by Nova Insights at 189.4 million dollars. ATV/OHV rider’s specific spent 160 million dollars with outing totaling 42.1 million for fuel, food and beverage, entertainment and lodging. Currently there are several pilot site in the Province with the closest being Weymouth which allows legal travel with rules in place.

PROCESS

The purpose of the survey is to examine the impact of ATV/OHV Road Access in Town of Digby for residents, businesses and visitors.

As part of the public engagement process around ATV/OHV access in the Town of Digby along First Avenue

·      You may submit written comments by regular mail to the Town of Digby or drop off at Town Hall, located at 147 First Avenue in Digby (please include "ATV/OHV survey" in writing in the title of your submission.

What happens after the public engagement segment is completed?

Public feedback will be taken into consideration when Council discusses trail connectivity.