New BrunswickAs several wildfires continue to burn in New Brunswick, some municipalities, including Miramichi, have reopened certain outdoor spaces to nature-lovers. But most trails and parks remain closed in major cities.An update on the status of outdoor spaces in Miramichi, Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John CBC News · Posted: Aug 23, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoSeveral trails through wooded parkland near Moncton are closed until at least Monday, including that trail network in Centennial Park. (Katelin Belliveau/CBC News)Though wildfires continue to burn in parts of New Brunswick, some municipalities have seen relief and have reopened certain outdoor spaces.The weekend is going to be another warm and dry one for most of New Brunswick, although showers are in the forecast for Fredericton and Miramichi on Sunday night. If you’re hoping to get some fresh air this weekend, here’s an update on the parks and trails you can, or can’t yet, access:MiramichiAlthough the Miramichi area and Northumberland County in general have been the scene of some of the most persistent wildfires, including the now-controlled Oldfield Road fire, some recreational areas have been considered safe to reopen.French Fort Cove, Mill Bank and Morrison Cove trails in the city of Miramichi have all reopened.The Over the Cove zip line and boat rentals at French Fort Cove are also open.”Our Oldfield fire is contained but still not out or under control,” Miramichi Coun. Veronique Arsenault told Information Morning on Friday. “We’ve had a good amount of progress in the last week since we did close the trails. With some caution … it seemed like a good move to be able to move forward.Beaubears Island, a national historic site that also offers hiking, remains closed.”Have some common sense, have some caution an8zd enjoy our outdoors,” Arsenault said, adding that the municipality will reasses what can remain open or closed next week, depending on the status of wildfires.MonctonHeavily wooded areas — Irishtown Nature Park, Mapleton Park, the trails in Centennial Park — remain closed until at least Aug. 25, but some open air trails are accessible.”We have almost 80 kilometres of trails altogether, so anything outside those areas is still open, Aloma Jardine, director of communications for the city, said.Jardine said Riverfront Trail, between the West Main traffic circle and the Gunningsville Bridge, also remains closed, although many other trails and neighbourhood parks are open.The Centennial Park pool and the splash pad are open.The Centennial Park pool and splash pad are open to the public, despite trails being closed because of dry conditions. (Shane Magee/CBC)The burn ban remains, including a ban on barbecuing in parks.”We have amazing parks, we want people to use them, but we also want those parks to be there for generations to come,” she said.FrederictonTrails and parks in Fredericton remain closed.All wooded areas, including Odell Park, Killarney Lake Park and the UNB woodlot, are closed.However, the beach and lake areas surrounding Killarney Lake, the ball field at Odell Park, and the lodges at both parks are open.Chief Dwayne Killingbeck of the Fredericton Fire Department said the municipality is following the advice of the Department of Natural Resources to decide when it’s safe to reopen parks and trails.”We’re waiting for a rain event, I think [that’s] what the entire province is waiting for at this time,” Killingbeck said.Signage is in place to let people know which areas are closed.”Remain vigilant … if you’re out and you see smoke or signs of smoke, we encourage everyone to call 911,” Killingbeck said.Saint JohnRockwood Park, Tucker Park and the Little River Reservoir in Saint John remain closed.All other parks are open. Beaches, splash pads, volleyball courts, public squares and gardens remain open.”We’ve seen a lot of people on Harbour Passage, walking and running … and on their e-bikes,” Lisa Kennedy, director of external relations for the city, said.An event that was supposed to take place at Rockwood Park this weekend as part of the city’s Passport to Parks series has been postponed. A future date has not been set.With files from Information Morning
Which trails, parks are open and closed this weekend as firefighting continues
