The New Brunswick government will take over the Fundy Trail Parkway by the end of the year.
On Wednesday, the province announced it will assume operation and management of the park.
The parkway has been overseen by the Fundy Trail Development Authority since construction began in 1995.
“This has been a conversation we’ve been having with the Fundy Trail Development Authority for a while now,” Tourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace said in an interview.
“It’s come to a time and place for Parks NB, who are experts in parks, to take the reins and move it to the next level.”
Officials with the Fundy Trail Development Authority provided their 180-day notice on June 14, the province said.
Scott-Wallace said there was always a clause in the agreement that the park could be handed over to the province to operate.
“It was always a potential and this is really where the board itself has decided they want to put this gem in the hands of the people in the department where it’s best suited to move it forward.”
The minister said they are grateful for the work done by the non-profit organization and are looking forward to moving the dream forward.
The Fundy Trail Parkway officially opened its west gate in August 1998, showcasing the first 10-kilometre phase.
The eastern entrance opened in May 2020 with the completion of the connector road to Sussex Corner. The following spring, the connector road to Alma was completed.
“We now have a coastal drive along the southern coastline that rivals anything, and I would certainly say rivals the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia,” said Scott-Wallace.
The 2,529-hectare parkway stretches over 30 kilometres, with more than 35 kilometres of hiking and biking trails
Over the coming months, Scott-Wallace said her department will review operations at the park and look at possible service enhancements.
“The province does have a master plan that’s in its draft form for the park. We have a lot of ideas for enhancement of services for our visitors,” she said.
That review will also take a look at the number of employees needed for the park and their job classifications.
Scott-Wallace said existing employees will have to reapply for their jobs with the province since they are unionized positions.
“I certainly don’t anticipate a reduction in the number of staff. We really want to provide a more exceptional experience than people already have when they go through the gates,” she said.
The province will officially take over the management and operation of the parkway on Dec. 12.
In the meantime, the authority will work with the department to ensure a smooth transition.
“The Fundy Trail Development Authority is delighted that the parkway’s coming-of-age story will culminate in official status within the New Brunswick provincial park system,” board chair Andrew Dixon said in a news release.
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