New route will link regional trail system and local amenities

LAURIE WEIR

ATV riders with the Rideau Lakes All-Terrain Vehicle Club (RLATVC) will soon have legal access through the south end of town, following a bylaw amendment unanimously approved by council during its regular committee of the whole meeting on June 23.

The change allows RLATVC members to travel along Queen Street (between Hershey Drive and Old Slys Road), Old Slys Road (between Queen and Jasper), and Jasper Avenue (from Old Slys to the southern town boundary where County Road 17 begins). These streets were previously restricted under the town’s ATV bylaw (10278-2021).

Council’s support came after a staff report from Paul McMunn, director of Public Works and Utilities, who outlined the club’s request and how it builds on temporary permissions granted in 2024 for a one-day charity ride.

That event raised funds for Community Home Support Lanark County and served as a test of the route in a real-world setting.

McMunn said the club’s current trail network is broken up within Smiths Falls due to existing street restrictions.

“It was a huge success,” McMunn said of the charity ride. “It brought awareness to riders who don’t live or reside in Smiths Falls or in Rideau Lakes Township. It presented an opportunity for them to navigate the trail through town and patronize some of the stores throughout as well.”

Mike Starr, RLATVC president, noted in the report that expanding access through Smiths Falls is key to maintaining the continuity of their broader regional trail system. Riders from Beckwith, Ottawa, Merrickville and Kemptville currently need to bypass town or double back along the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail (OVRT).

“Having a continuous route through town opens up new options for our members and gives them the chance to fuel up, grab a bite to eat, and support local businesses,” Starr wrote in the club’s proposal.

In addition to road access, the expanded route includes municipal land near the new water tower on Air Care Drive. The club has proposed a trail along the wooded edge of that property, staying clear of development zones to avoid interfering with nearby construction.

McMunn confirmed that both the Smiths Falls Police Service and the fire department had been consulted, and neither raised concerns. Police also noted there have been no significant issues with non-compliant riders since the current ATV bylaws came into force in 2021.

Coun. Jay Brennan said he attended the charity ride event last fall “on behalf of the mayor — and fell on stage — but anyway, I didn’t realize how many, or how popular that is. I would say there were hundreds of ATVers here.”

Under the approved recommendation, the mayor and clerk will now execute amending agreements with the RLATVC. The updates will be reflected in both Bylaw 10278-2021, which governs ATV use on town streets, and Bylaw 10279-2021, the club’s trail access agreement.

McMunn said the club made multiple attempts to secure private land agreements that would keep riders off the main highways, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

“That’s why they’re coming to council for consideration of the ask,” McMunn said, adding that club members prefer riding on dirt or grass trails. “The ATVs don’t respond as well on asphalt.”

The club maintains $15 million in liability insurance and has committed to working with town staff to formalize safe routes and minimize impacts on surrounding properties. Discussions are ongoing to identify alternate trail connections, particularly north of the water tower.

McMunn noted that the agreement can be amended should future industrial expansions affect the route.

The town had previously approved ATV access along designated streets in 2021 following a successful pilot project. The latest move to expand access supports a growing emphasis on recreation and tourism as part of the region’s economic development goals.

Coun. Jennifer Miller asked about anticipated trail traffic volume.

“It wouldn’t be the volume we saw during the charity ride,” McMunn said. “They are very organized and respectful of the infrastructure that belongs to the town. There would be no benefit to them to tarnish that relationship. They’re going to be respectful when they come through town. They’re going to follow the rules of the road.”

He added that ATV users are also required to follow the Highway Traffic Act and said he would look into rider volume estimates.