A dispute involving the Mad Rock Trail in Bay Roberts is making one business owner wary about bringing her clients along the trail.
Recently, a property owner erected signs along the trail prohibiting trespassing.
(Sign posted in the Mad Rock area, via Facebook.)
The town quickly fired back saying that nothing has changed and that people are free to walk the trail as per normal—so long as they respect private property in the area.
Further, the town says the owner of the property recently failed to get an injunction against the town to stop people from using portions of the area.
Public Notice: Enjoy The Mad Rock Area & Bay Roberts Heritage Trails#BayRoberts pic.twitter.com/VbctIZmXk8
— Town of Bay Roberts (@Town_BayRoberts) August 12, 2020
Barb Parsons-Sooley is the owner of Wind at Your Back Guided Tours.
She says she always thought that Mad Rock was a protected area, and calls the property owner’s actions an aggressive tactic.
Parsons-Sooley says the situation is affecting her business, and she’s nervous about bringing people out on the trail for fear that they may be confronted by the owner.
(Shoreline Heritage Walking Trail. Map courtesy Town of Bay Roberts.)
She says the land is up for sale, and contends that the inability to develop the land is making it hard to sell—fuelling the actions of the owner.
Parsons-Sooley states there are many stories that come from the trail, calling it “stunningly beautiful,” and says it should be left as-is.
