A7

By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

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Anyone who doubts that Fredericton's walking trail system is well-used is going to have to argue with the numbers.

Statistics handed to the city's community services committee recently show more people are hitting public pathways.

Fredericton's trail visitor centre, on the north side of the railway train bridge and walking path, is a stopping point to have a coffee, use public washrooms, fix a bicycle or pick up tourist information.

Centre supervisor Bob McNeil said so far this year, 84,493 people passed by the building - including walkers and cyclers.

Each year, since 2005 when 30,000 people were counted using the trails, trail use has steadily grown.

McNeil speculates that raising gasoline prices may be prompting more people to walk or bike to work.

"More people are getting physically active and using the trails for exercise," McNeil said.

Government employees who work at downtown sometimes buildings walk and bike during their noon hours, he said.

School groups are using the trails as part of their physical education programs.

Community groups use walking trail for community runs, marathons and walkathons.

Weather influences trail use, so a damper summer this year might have curbed numbers. But despite the weather, user figures have increased, McNeil said.

Community services committee chairman Coun. David Kelly said Fredericton is a recreation leader and there's no excuse for anyone not to be physically active with all the city offers.