A massive tree donned with hundreds of lights now sits inside the Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge in St. Martins. (Photo: Nicholas Lowe Photography)
Residents in St. Martins have found a new use for a decommissioned covered bridge in the community.
A massive tree donned with hundreds of lights now sits inside the Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge.
The 85-year-old bridge is only open to pedestrians after being deemed unsafe for vehicle traffic.
Tabatha Chatterton, who walks her dog through the bridge every day, came up with the tree idea.
Chatterton said she was not looking forward to the holidays this year after the death of her father in February.
“I thought, this would be so pretty to have a tree in the bridge since the bridge has been decommissioned for vehicle traffic,” said Chatterton.
She approached her mother-in-law, Mayor Bette Ann Chatterton, who got permission from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
For Christmas 2019, The Village of St. Martins, NB got permission from the NB DOT to put a Christmas Tree in the closed Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge, and will be up until Christmas Day. Enjoy!
Posted by Nicholas Lowe Photography on Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Chatterton said her next-door neighbour graciously donated the tree, which is about 15 or 16-feet tall.
“It just fit perfectly,” she said. “You couldn’t have picked a better tree.”
More than 800 lights were strung on the tree and icicle lights were added to both ends of the bridge and the pedestrian walkway.
The community came together last Friday night to watch the tree light up for the first time.
Chatterton said it was great to see the community come together and she hopes to make it an annual tradition.
“I would rather see car lights through the bridge than a Christmas tree,” she said with a chuckle. “I plan to continue to do something down that area and I think there’s enough people that will get behind it.”
Follow
