There’s good news for all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts in the Hastings County area.
The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) has reached an agreement that allows members of the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicles to use the Hastings County trails.
This does not include the rest of the EOTA trails.
The Association is responsible to manage, develop, maintain and market all of these trails.
This agreement applies to the Hastings Heritage Trail which extends from the Trent River in the south, to Lake St. Peter in the north, and also applies to the Trans Canada Rail trail that stretches across Hastings County east to west.
Hastings County says this will benefit both local and visiting riders while providing a significant economic boost to the tourism industry in Hastings County.
“This agreement will ensure that people holding a pass from either organization will be able to ride the recreational trails in Hastings County,” said Rick Phillips, Warden of Hastings County.
“We are excited that ridership on our trails will be expanding so that more people from across our province have the opportunity to experience and explore Hastings County and all of the wonderful amenities our county offers.”
“We want to thank EOTA and OFATV for their collaboration on this agreement to allow riders expanded opportunities to ride in eastern Ontario.”
Last year EOTA replaced five bridges, culverts, added gravel in low lying areas redecked some of the bridges, replaced signage and other maintenance activities.
This was a total investment in 2020 of $967,063.17.
Officials say the user pay system is essential to carry out this work.
EOTA, with partners, have developed a business plan and strategy for now and the future of shared use recreational trails.
The business plan and strategy can be found HERE
