LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW WITH KEN HIRTLE AND RENATA WOODWARD OF THE NATURE TRUST

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick endorses the Blueberry Hill project but is not yet in a position to accept the property. Last spring the 50 acre site behind the Workers Rehabilitation Centre was offered to the Nature Trust as a natural area to preserve and protect. The property is one of the last undeveloped tracts of land in the area, containing fields, wetlands and forests bordering the St. John River.

Renata Woodward & Ken Hirtle

At the Annual Board Meeting of the Nature Trust held in Grand Bay-Westfield, board members supported Blueberry Hill, calling the property a gem, but were reluctant to proceed because of concerns over the state of culverts under the road over Henderson Brook. These culverts were put in about 50 years ago when the property was going to be used as a quarantine station for livestock. The culverts are old and need replacing. Estimates range from 20,000 to 350,000 dollars to do the work. The Nature Trust says it can’t take on that financial liability and for this proposal to go ahead, a solution to the culvert problem has to be found.

An engineering study of the culverts is going to be done to find the best option. One idea may be to remove the culverts altogether and build a walking bridge over the brook. In the meantime, the Nature Trust is reaching out to the community to find partners who value this property and want to see it preserved. A Trail Study has been completed and right now the plan is to make minor improvements to the existing trail system and open the area up for use by the public. A ‘Friends of Blueberry Hill’ group has been formed to help the Nature Trust look after this property and assist in raising money for the stewardship fund. Anyone from the Martinon, River Road and Grand Bay-Westfield area is welcome to join the group. Blueberry Hill is a major asset for the area. Imagine having an accessible park and recreational area preserved for all time right in the middle our community. If you want to help make that a reality, plan on attending the next ‘Friends of Blueberry Hill’ meeting on Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 pm in Room A of the Centrum in Grand Bay-Westfield. If you’d like more information about  the group call Mike Bonga at 672-5290 or Gary Mittelholtz at 217-0224.

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick hopes to make a final decision on the Blueberry Hill Property by the end of the year.

Bird Watching on Blueberry Hill.

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is still studying plans and looking at various options before agreeing to take over the 50 acre property behind the Workers Rehabilitation Centre in Grand Bay-Westfield. Last fall, Worksafe NB signed a memorandum of understanding to convey the land to the Nature Trust. Since then a trail study has been conducted and a local committee formed. The Nature Trust also organized a Bird Walk through the property in May that attracted over 40 participants.

Early in August the committee looked at two plans to develop the site. One involved the building of an extensive trail system throughout the property and the other option recommended minor upgrading of the current trails. The least expensive option was favoured by those present. The group was told the biggest problem still remains the replacement of culverts under the road. Various options are being investigated.

Another public meeting is planned for the fall. In the meantime, a local ‘Friends of Blueberry Hill’ group is being formed. If you have an interest in preserving this  important natural area between the borders of Grand Bay-Westfield and Saint John, consider joining the group. For more information contact Renata Woodward of the Nature Trust at 506-457-2398 or naturetrust@ntnb.org.