ATV group to work with council

A new group of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and side-by-side (UTV) enthusiasts who rallied Sunday for the right to drive on roads in Cavan Monaghan are looking forward to working with the township to create links to area trail networks.

Ideally, the group – now in its infancy – would like to see road connections to trails in the City of Kawartha Lakes and eastern Peterborough County, rally coorganizer Grant Williams of Todd Equipment in Fraserville said Tuesday.

He highlighted the economic development potential of connecting to the Victoria Rail Trail that links Kinmount, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay and Bethany, for example. The 85-kilometre, multi-use trail ends near Syer Line on the west side of the township.

The still-forming and yet-to-benamed organization plans to approach the next township council and recreational groups from other areas, such as the Peterborough County Trails

ATV Club, to move the matter forward.

“These are the very early stages,” he said, pointing out that the enthusiasts have been pleased by the response of candidates including township Mayor Scott McFadden, who encouraged them to come up with specific road links that could connect trails.

“They are definitely willing to work with us,” Williams said, adding that the group hopes to build on the work of area snowmobile groups who have forged land use agreements that have made trails possible in places like Havelock-Belmont-Methuen .

The group isn’t yet sure which area roads could be possible links, but it promises to examine the issue in detail before making suggestions to council following the Oct. 22 municipal election, Williams said.

The effort is somewhat delayed as councils are now in a “lameduck” period restricting their authority, with election and reelection campaigns now underway.

A township bylaw allowing recreational vehicles would then open the door to requesting links on roads managed by Peterborough County, which must approve changes to its own ATV bylaw to allow road link requests.