The first phase of the Town’s Active Transportation (AT) Trail is done! From the roundabout on West Street at Trunk 4 to the lights at Highland Drive, there is now a paved, multi-use pathway dedicated for those who wish to walk, run, cycle, or scooter.
These first phase is just the beginning of an overall plan that will see the trail continue down St. Ninian Street, across Church Street and follow the river along the back of Columbus Field. From Columbus Field the trail will replace the existing footpath, go along east Main Street, and connect to Adam Street.
The next phase (along St. Ninian Street) is intended to be completed in 2025.
Our AT Trail is a key part of building a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy community. Explore it today and experience the benefits firsthand!
Key Benefits
Our AT Trail offers a wide range of benefits for our community, making Antigonish a healthier, greener, and more connected place to live and visit.
Here’s how the trail enhances our town:
Promoting Health & Wellness
The trail encourages walking, cycling, and other forms of active movement, helping residents stay fit and healthy. By providing safe and accessible routes, it supports a more active lifestyle for people of all ages.
Environmental Sustainability
The trail helps cut down on traffic congestion and carbon emissions. This contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment, supporting our town’s commitment to sustainability and creating a net-zero community.
Boosting the Local Economy
Our trail is not just for residents—it’s also a draw for visitors. Connecting key areas of town by foot or wheels (non motorized) it will provide easy access to local shops, restaurants, and attractions, helping support local businesses.
Building Community Connections
The trail provides a welcoming space for residents to come together, socialize, and enjoy outdoor activities. Whether you’re out for a walk or a bike ride, the trail fosters a sense of community and belonging by offering a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
Improving Safety & Reducing Traffic
With designated paths for cyclists and pedestrians, the trail helps separate non-motorized traffic from cars, making it safer for everyone. It’s an ideal option for families, children, and commuters who want to travel safely across town without worrying about traffic.
Accessible for All 
The trail is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone has a safe and convenient way to reach key destinations. Tactical plates are used on sidewalks at intersections to assist visually impaired users of the path. These texted surfaces provide tactical feedback underfoot, signaling the edge of a sidewalk.
Creating Beautiful, Recreational Spaces
The trail enhances the natural beauty of our town. It’s a perfect place for outdoor recreation, whether you’re jogging, biking, or simply enjoying being outside.
Saving on Transportation Costs
The trail provides an affordable and eco-friendly transportation option for residents, reducing the cost of commuting. The goal is to make active transportation an attractive and realistic option for our residents.
Key Facts:
Planning for this trail begin in 2013 and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia. Over 73% of the project is funded with the support of these two levels of government totalling almost $3 million.
The Town’s original contribution to the AT Trail was estimated to be $1,086,669. That contribution was revised and forecasted to be $1,182,401 due to increased construction costs. It is important to note that forecasted amounts may vary as the project progresses due to unknown construction costs in the years to come, design modifications, and any other unforeseen expenses that may arise.
Since the original project approval, the Town received a one-time Sustainable Services Growth Fund Grant from the Province of Nova Scotia that was allocated to this project. This grant covers the Town’s contribution for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. With this additional funding, the Town’s contribution for the complete project is now estimated to be $704,607 based on current spending and future cost projections.
By the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the total project costs incurred since 2022 is forecasted to be $1,357,232.12.
The first phase along West Street did require the street to be narrowed however the street meets provincial transportation guidelines. Some residents have asked why West Street wasn’t paved during the construction of this section of the AT Trail. Before we can re-pave West Street, there is planning for watermain work under the street that needs to be done, meaning it will be a larger project than just paving. This additional work was not included in the Town’s 2024-2025 capital plan and budget passed in June 2024.
St. Francis Xavier University has been a wonderful supporter of the AT Trail as they saw the benefit to their campus community.
The route that was chosen is called the AT Spring. It creates the initial link to the County’s AT Corridor that runs along Trunk 4. The spine offers opportunity for future expansion into other major arterial streets and neighbourhoods. At this time, the only commitment the Town has is to the construction of the rest of the AT Spine.
