Trail building

The Association Plein Air Shediac Outdoors Association Inc. (APASOA) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining non-motorized nature trails in the town of Shediac. While the trails are primarily designed for mountain biking, they are open to a variety of other activities, including walking, hiking, trail running, snowshoeing, and fat biking.

APASOA operates under the guidance of an elected board of directors. To honor its collaborative relationships and agreements with the Town and private landowners, all decisions regarding trail network development must be approved by the board.

This document:

Outlines APASOA’s trail development principles and objectives,
Defines conditions for maintenance and development activities,
Provides guidance for volunteers working outside official trail days.

APASOA Trail Network Design Principles

The APASOA trail network follows the Scoudouc River and runs along the ridgeline, creating opportunities for playful climbs and descents. Key points of interest include multiple river viewpoints, a waterfall, and the remnants of a historic hydro dam. The network is intentionally designed with easier, less technical trails near the main entrance and progressively more challenging trails farther in. To simplify navigation, the layout minimizes intersections through a primarily linear design, where the end of one trail leads directly to the start of another. In some cases, a hub design is used, allowing multiple trails to begin and end at the same point. These design principles ensure that users make as few directional decisions as possible, enhancing flow and overall experience.

Each APASOA trail is designed with a specific purpose. While all trails support the same types of non-motorized activities, they are intentionally differentiated to offer users a variety of features and challenge levels.

Alteration to a trail

Volunteers may sometimes feel inclined to modify trail elements based on personal preferences or abilities—for example, adding jumps, removing rocks or roots, adjusting alignments, or widening sections.

Before making any changes to a trail, volunteers must:

Ensure their vision aligns with the trail’s intended character (see Table 1).
Confirm that the proposed work is approved by APASOA.

Volunteer Maintenance Tasks (No Approval Needed)

APASOA is heavily reliant on the engagement of volunteers to ensure the trails remain in good condition and provide a positive experience to users. There are plenty of routine maintenance tasks that volunteers are always welcomed to do, and which do not require prior approval from APASOA.

Approved tasks:

Clearing fallen trees, branches or debris that obstruct the trail.
Blowing leaves that cover the trail thread, especially in the Fall and Spring.
Improving drainage by adding small grade reversals or clearing clogged culverts and water outlets.
Reinforcing eroded sections with natural materials (rocks, soil) to maintain sustainability.
Trimming vegetation that encroaches on the trail corridor.
Repairing damaged features (e.g., berms or bridges) to restore their original design.
Ensuring proper signage by clearing obstructing vegetation and repositioning or replacing signs.

Winter Maintenance

Given APASOA trails are also renowned for offering an outlet for winter activities, volunteers can also contribute to the network during the winter months. Grooming of trails is led by a small group of dedicated volunteers responding to the changing weather conditions as needed. Most of the winter grooming requires either compacting and reinforcing the snow surface with snowshoes or navigating through the trail system with motorized grooming equipment.

Volunteers can help by:

Snowshoeing to compact snow (always appreciated).
Joining the grooming team for motorized grooming (training provided).
If interested, please contact APASOA via email, Messenger, or Facebook.

Addition of new trails

Building a new trail is a long-term process that can take years, so careful planning and doing things right from the start is essential. First and foremost, any proposed trail must align with APASOA’s vision and design principles. As a volunteer-led association, APASOA must ensure that volunteer efforts are directed toward initiatives that respect these principles and support the association’s long-term goals. In broad terms, APASOA aims to expand its network so that users can follow the Scoudouc River from its intersections with Riverside Drive and the Scoudouc ATV bridge.

If you have an idea for a new trail, here’s how to proceed:

Prepare a Concept
Outline your idea, including the proposed location, intended purpose, and how it fits within APASOA’s vision and trail design guidelines. (NOTE: when planning a new trail, try to outline a design that connects the ends of this trail with the ends of other trails to respect our linear and hub design principles.)
Submit Your Proposal
Share your concept with the APASOA board for review. Proposals should include maps or sketches if possible, describe the type of work that is expected (ex.: clearing a corridor, trenching, bench cutting, filling, etc.), detail the material that will be required (ex.: lumber, stone, dirt), and highlight any unique features or benefits. In addition, proposals should specify the proposed length of the trail, difficulty level, and style.
Board Review and Approval
The board will evaluate the proposal based on environmental impact, landowner agreements, sustainability, resources (time and financial), maintenance considerations, and alignment with APASOA’s design principles and objectives.
Planning and Collaboration
If approved, the project will move into planning and building phases, where volunteers work together to refine the design, secure permissions, and build.

By following this process, you help ensure that new trails enhance the network, respect land agreements, and provide a safe, enjoyable experience for all users.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Unauthorized trail building is strictly prohibited.
All work must follow APASOA’s sustainability and safety standards.
Communication with the board is required for any development initiative.

Table 1. Description of APASOA trails

Trail name (name explanation)	Trail classification	Trail description
Canou (Named after original landowner of property on which trail is located)	Green (easiest)	1.9 km. Wide, gently graded trail on mostly flat terrain. Features small, easy-to-manoeuvre elements suitable for beginner riders.
Boosté (Local French expression. Users will be energized to see the NB Power solar farm along this trail)	Green (easiest)	1.8 km. Wide trail winding through forested sections with low grade elevation changes, offering a relaxed and accessible riding experience.
Baille-y-d’la-gaz (Local French expression Green (easiest)reminding riders they will enjoy this trail best at high speed)	Green (easiest)	0.7 km. Smooth, single-track trail designed for speed and flow. Includes wood bridges, small dirt features that can be rolled or jumped, and bermed corners that help riders maintain momentum.
Bénaise (Local French expression meaning “Feel good”)	Green (easiest)	0.5 km. Smooth single-track trail with twisty turns around trees. The trail offers a playful, confidence-building ride for beginner users.
Main (First trail to be built and to which many other trails connect. It is the main trail)	Blue (intermediate)	0.6 km. Single track trail with exposed roots and rocks. Moderate elevation changes combined with the uneven terrain provide a manageable challenge for intermediate users.
Forest Glen (Trail situated in area referred to as Forest Glen by landowners)	Blue (intermediate)	0.8 km. Double-track trail featuring elevation changes and uneven surfaces caused by erosion exposing roots and rocks. Uphill sections present a physical challenge, while downhill sections may be technically demanding for some users.
La Batture (Original name of the Town of Shediac, which referred to its position at the end of the river)	Black (Difficult)	0.6 km. Single-track trail requiring careful navigation around natural obstacles, including rocks and roots. The trail includes a mix of short climbs and descents.
Dam (It is possible to see the ruins of a decommissioned hydroelectric dam along this trail)	Black (Difficult)	0.4km. Single-track trail that, when ridden counterclockwise, begins with a steep descent followed by a narrow, winding section along the river. The trail finishes with a technically challenging switchback climb back to higher ground.
Frolic (Local French expression referring to the festive social gathering occurring after a community work party)	Black (Difficult)	Downhill only single-track trail featuring large berms, a small jump, and a small drop. Designed to provide a playful experience at high speed.
Salamandre (Many salamanders were found while building this trail)	Double Black (Very difficult)	Downhill only single-track trail that is very steep and demands precise skills given it includes a sharp turn.
Bucksaw (Bucksaws from the early 1900s, including the one posted at the trail entrance, were found while building this trail,)	Double Black (Very difficult)	Downhill only single-track trail that is very steep. An optional drop can be ridden at the beginning of the trail, which requires strong technical ability and confidence at speed as it leads into a steep and fast landing.
Yellow Bucket (This name stuck as trail builders commonly referred to a location with a yellow bucket as a reference point when building this trail)	Black (Difficult)	0.8 km. Single-track trail with a long, smooth bench-cut section carved into the riverbank ridge. One shorter segment contains numerous large roots, creating uneven and technical terrain.
Yeti (This trail was initially meant to be for winter use only)	Black (Difficult)	1.3 km. Single-track trail that reflects classic, old-school mountain biking. The surface remains largely natural which imposes sustained technical riding throughout.
YOLO (You Only Live Once)	Black (Difficult)	0.7 km. Single track trail with a mostly natural surface, but which crosses leftover mounds of rocks from the years when a quarry was in operation in the region.