Travel and activities restricted in woods in Municipality of Colchester parks and trails
Posted: August 6, 2025 - 9:15 am
Updated: August 8, 2025 - 2:45 pm
Nova Scotians are being asked to stay out of the woods because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires.
Effective as of 4 p.m. August 5, the following Municipality of Colchester parks and trails are CLOSED:
- Stewiacke River Park – park and all trails are closed
- Burnside Falls Park – park and all trails are closed
- Five Islands Lighthouse Park – all field and wooded areas, and trails through field and woods, are closed
- Nelson Memorial Park – all wooded areas and all trails in wooded areas are closed
- Cobequid Trail – all sections managed or jointly managed by the Municipality of Colchester are closed, including the following: Colchester-Truro boundary west to Shore Rd in Old Barns; Will-Kare; Lower Truro; Cobequid Bay Lookoff; Old Barns; Farnham Brook; Dal AC Trail.
Note: Fundy Discovery Site trail on dyke beside the Salmon River is open.
Note: Cobequid Trail sections in the Village of Bible Hill (902-893-8083) are closed: Farnham Brook, Eagle Crest, Bible Hill Rec Park (except path around playground), Dal AC Trail.
Note: Please contact the Town of Truro 902-893-6078 about the status of their section of Cobequid Trail between King Street and Colchester-Truro boundary.- Hearts Haven Memorial Park – all wooded areas, playground, and all trails in woods are closed
- Springwaters Park and Trail - closed
- Valley Nature Trail and parkland (including access from Thrush, Robin, and Valley Elementary School) - closed
- Falcon to Phoebe Trail (Peepers Path) - closed
- Foresthill walkway to Redcliff School – closed
- Birch Street Park and Ice Pond Drive trail - the walking trail and wooded area between the playground and Ice Pond Drive are closed
- Former Salmon River School property – property and paths are closed
The Municipality is in the process of installing signs at impacted park and trail spaces, however, regardless of the presence of signage, people are required to adhere to restrictions and stay out of wooded areas.
The following Municipality of Colchester parks are OPEN:
- Fundy Discovery Site
- Five Islands Lighthouse Park – lawn areas and playground
- Nelson Memorial Park – lawn areas, playground, dog park
- Anita Crescent playground
- Birch Street playground
- Debert - dog park, playing fields on Ventura Dr, playground
- Debert River Park
- Halfmoon Park playground
- Hearts Haven Memorial Park – gardens only are open
- Hilden Recreation Park
- Nancy Avenue Park
- Oakland Drive Park
- Rocky Ridge Park
For more information, please contact Colchester Recreation 902-897-3185.
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The Province is restricting travel and activities in the woods because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires. This is in addition to the provincewide burn ban that was put in place on July 30.
The restrictions, effective as of 4 p.m. today, August 5, include:
• hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted
• trail systems through woods are off limits
• camping is allowed only in campgrounds.
These and other measures are in place on provincial Crown and private land until October 15 or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.
Full Provincial news release re: Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires:
Province of NS - Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires
