From 'mud dumps' to top-notch trails: How the Minto coal mines were transformed

Physician and mountain bike enthusiast Dr. Sean Morrissy was looking to build a small circuit of mountain bike trails he could ride after long days at work when hestumbled upon a giant hole in the ground. Now, six years later, he calls the find "a gold mine."

Morrissydiscoveredone of the many trenches left behind from the abandonedMintocoal mines, and the discoverysoon become part of a trail system that would not only please mountain bikers butthe entire village.

Before he knew it,Morrissywas helping boost tourism, the local economy and community pride.

"It was a great moment when I saw this because I knew I stumbled upon something really special," saidMorrissy.

The Minto community considered the remains of the coal mines a "barren wasteland" or, as some still call them,the "mud dumps." But Reggie Barton, councillor for the Village of Minto, saidMorrissy's work has turned a negative into a positive.

"When I went out to help Sean to start building the trails, I didn't realize that they've grown with the trees and the ponds and how aesthetically beautiful it is out there now," Barton said.

The trails are considered to be "the best mountain bike experience in the Maritimes," according to Mountain Bike Minto, a non-profit organization thatpromotes mountain biking in the community.

The infertile soil holds no tree roots,and the shattered rocks have turned the trenches into giant sandboxes. Avid mountain bike riders, like Joel LeBlanc, describe the terrain as clay-like.

"The trails are punchy, they're fast and a lot of fun and a little less hard on the body really," he said.

What began as four kilometers of trails has turned into 30, and Morrissysaidthere's still room for triple that.

Minto trenches turned into trails

6 years ago

Duration 1:00

How a local physician transformed remaining coal mine trenches into kilometres of mountain bike trails.

"It's almost growing without me now," he said.

Mintoresidents have taken matters in their own hands by continuing to donate theirtimeto keep the trails fit to be used even without Morrissy'sasking.

A mountain bike destination

The mountain bike trails have brought a sense of community pride in the village. It's turned a small town into a mountain bike destination. Both Morrissy and LeBlanc drivefrom their homes in Fredericton to ride thetrails.

"When the community got on board, that's when things kicked into high gears," saidMorrissy.

The Village ofMintowent as far as adding a "Welcome Mountain Bikers" road sign upon entering the community.

The long stretch of trailrequiresmajor upkeep to ensure the security of all trail users. Morrissy estimated the yearly upkeep can take up to 40 to 60 hours of labour. Luckily, a wide-range of Minto residents have stepped in to help. Whether it's leaf blowing, picking up pine needles or chainsaw work, someone takes care of it.

The trails have also helped the local economy, Barton said.

"They come in from all over. They stop in the stores, they buy groceries, gas, they eat at restaurants. I think it's great that it draws people in the village," he said.

Mountain bikers aren't the only ones taking advantage of the trails.So are those looking for a new place to walk, run or snowshoe in winter. Minto native and personal trainer Mandy Hunter is one of them.

"These trails have become much more than biking trails. It has brought another option for fitness that was missing before," saidHunter, who owns MIANFitness.

"The Village of Minto has no fitness facility at the moment, making it difficult to accommodate everyone in the community. While there are already walking trails in Minto, there's something about these ones that give the element of being deeper in the woods."

The mountain bike trails are a focal point in Minto now. They've converted many into mountain bikers, too, includingHunter. After volunteering at the annual Coal Miner's Lung Mountain Bike Race, it sparked something in her"that definitely piqued my interest to get a mountain bike and start."

This year's Coal Miner's Lung race will be taking place June 17, shine only.