Belleisle Creek Trail

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The 3.7 km Creek Trail runs through privately owned upland and marshland from Springfield to Hatfield Point.  The owners kindly grant access to the public, but ask that the property and the wildlife be shown respect, and with the understanding that the trail is only roughly groomed and the ground is uneven. It is accessed most conveniently by parking below the Gillis winery on Route 124 in Springfield. While mountain bikes have been used on the trail, most people walk (or snowshoe). The walk from one end to the other usually takes about 45 minutes including a few stops to enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and the impressive Silver maple forest.
 

During 2015, the Belleisle Watershed Coalition (BWC) together with its partners Ducks Unlimited, Gillis of Belleisle Winery, RSD 8, NB’s Environmental Trust Fund, and the Government of Canada;  with the support of Potash Corp, McMillan Lumber and Kent, rebuilt the spillway, improved the trail and added five wildlife observation platforms. The spillway’s function is to improve water flow through the marsh while providing access to the trail for pedestrian traffic. At high water times the spillway may be under water, but throughout the summer access is clear.
 

School groups, youth groups, families, and naturalists are all encouraged to visit and enjoy the Belleisle Creek Trail. Kayaks and canoes can gain access from the Hatfield Point end. The marshland is home to a wide variety of birds, raptors, waterfowl, herons, turtles, small mammals and fish.
 

In 2016 the BWC began a Nature Meadow Garden in the 4-acre hayfield at the entrance to the trail to encourage pollinators and biodiversity to the benefit of the marshlands, uplands and region.  Volunteers are welcome in this effort as well as in contributing to the bird population studies.