DILIGENT RIVER, N.S. – If Mel Musgrave has its way, the “temporarily closed” sign will soon be a thing of the past at Ward’s Falls Hiking Trail.
Musgrave has been leading a group of volunteers in repairing and replacing several bridges that along the popular 6K hike, and hopes to see it reopened for public use by June.
“We’ve put a lot of hours on it, that’s for sure, with a couple of really good volunteers,” he said.
The trail is on private property owned by C.E. Harrison & Sons, and has been offered for public use by the company for decades. Due to the deteriorating state of the trails 16 bridges, some of which had completely washed out, the trail was closed two years ago.
Harrison’s approached Cumberland County project facilitator Taylor Redmond to see if the municipality could assist with funding for maintenance.
“Because it’s private property, even though there was public access, the county couldn’t do anything directly with Harrison’s,” she explained. “So, it was suggested that we try and find a non-profit association to take responsibility.”
Redmond spoke with Musgrave, an area resident who was not only an avid user of the trail, but was also involved with the Cumberland Trails Association and the Shore Drive Community Development Association.
“One thing about this trail is that it’s in the Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia book, so for people to find it in that book and then come here to find out it’s closed… it just seems like such a shame because it could be a real little tourist draw,” he said.
The Cumberland Trails Association agreed to take the trail under their guardianship through an easement agreement with Harrison’s. Meanwhile, Harrison’s agreed to give a $5,000 donation to help with first-year repairs, to be followed by a $2,000 annual donation for its continued upkeep.
“They have been so very generous,” said Redmond. “It’s been a really good, easy transition, and Me has been leading the repairs with a very small group.”
Of the 16 bridges, seven have been replaced altogether, while seven more have received repairs. Only two are left to do, according to Musgrave.
Meanwhile, the Shore Drive Community Development Association has sponsored new signage for the trail, which should be in place within the next week. Garnet McLaughlin of Cobequid Consulting has donated his time to help determine what is required to finish the last bridge and the ladder at the falls.
“The great thing is that the trail is already here, so we don’t have to redesign the wheel,” said Redmond, who added they could still use some help clearing debris from the trail. “It’s also a great trail for multi-use – for bicycles, horses, foot traffic – it’s really a great community trail that’s accessible to just about anybody.
