The City of Fredericton continues to advance the Killarney Lake Management Plan with the development of nearly 12km of new mountain bike trails and an all-ages, progressive skills park.
"With Killarney Lake Park the City is creating a premier recreation destination and the addition of the mountain bike trail network is helping to create a space where everyone in our community has access to diverse amenities," said Councillor Kelly Murray, Chair of the City’s Livable Community Committee. "This project was made possible through collaboration with the mountain biking community, and we’re already seeing people out enjoying them daily."
The trails are uniquely situated in a forested environment and feature progressive and adaptive routes that accommodate all skill levels and abilities.
Work to design and map the trails began in 2024 in collaboration with River Valley Cycling, with valuable input provided throughout the process by Ability NB, Parasport NB, the Fredericton Tree Commission, and the Wostawea Ski Club.
"River Valley Cycling was proud to work with the City to develop trails that can be enjoyed by the entire community," said Rachel Merrithew, President of River Valley Cycling. "The trails were designed for riders of all ages and abilities and there is something for everyone. Already this summer, we have been able to deliver learn-to-ride programs for over 100 youth."
The first phase of the project was completed in 2025 and included 6 km of trails and a skills park. Work continues in 2026, with an additional 5.6 km expected to be completed by the end of fall. The trails are designed to support year-round riding and have the potential to host sport tourism events.
The City invested approximately $900,000 in the development of the trails and skill park. At full build-out, the Killarney Lake Park Mountain Bike Trail Network will include approximately 32km of single-track mountain bike trails.
Killarney Lake Park was first conceived in 1977, when the City began acquiring land for a large park on the City’s north side. The park spans over 645 hectares (1,500 acres), making it the city’s largest park. Previous work completed in Killarney Lake Park includes:
• Accessible small craft (e.g. kayak) boat launch
• Charcoal BBQ pits
• Accessible beach matting
• Off-leash dog trails
Construction of the natural playpark and competition level disc golf course continues, and both are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This work, together with the new mountain bike trail network, is transforming Killarney Lake Park into one of Fredericton’s premier outdoor recreation destination for residents and visitors.
With over 90 per cent of Killarney Lake Park remaining in its natural state, the City’s approach to developing the park ensures that enhancements respect the park’s ecological integrity while supporting year-round, multi-use recreation. More information about the Killarney Lake Management Plan is available online.