While provincial trails remain open, municipal trails are closed because they are defined as parks in HRM law

A Halifax councillor is hoping to change the language of a municipal bylaw to allow municipal trails to remain open.

On Sunday, Nova Scotia closed all provincial parks and beaches, but kept provincial trails open.

HRM soon followed suit, closing municipal parks.

But councillor Shawn Cleary says the move unintentionally shut down municipal trails as well.

"Our staff don't have any choice because our definition of a trail is as a park," Cleary explained. "Legally they wouldn't be allowed to let the trails stay open when the province closed all parks."

Cleary says he has sent a motion to the clerk, asking council to look at amending the bylaw to remove that definition and reopen trails.

"People can continue to get out, as long as they practice social-distancing, staying six feet away from others and not travelling in groups larger than five, people can still get out and get exercise," said Cleary.

Because council isn't meeting in person right now, Cleary wasn't sure when his amendment could be passed.

He says council will be meeting with staff on a conference call on Monday to discuss options.