Minas Basin Scenic View Park
The spectacular view overlooking the Minas Basin and the Annapolis Valley from Avonport Mountain will soon be more than a fleeting moment for Highway 101 travellers between Hantsport and Wolfville.
Work on the Avonport Scenic View Park began today with the official sod-turning by Kings South MLA Robbie Harrison, on behalf of the Provincial Government, Warden Ray Leslie of Kings County, and other partners in the venture.
The Avonport Scenic View Park, long a dream of many in Nova Scotia, was co-ordinated by the Kings Community Economic Development Agency in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Kings, the provincial department of Economic Development and Tourism together with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency under the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Evangeline Trail Tourism Association, Tourism Kings, the Grand-Pre National Historic Site, committees of Avonport residents, and several private-sector sponsors.
"The Avonport Scenic View Park is a major asset to our region in providing tourists with a focal point to view the panoramic vista of the Annapolis Valley," said Warden Leslie. On behalf of Kings County council, he congratulated Coun. Alan Sponagle for his leadership, along with the Kings Community Economic Development Agency and the community steering committee for making the project start a reality. The funds for this project came from a joint effort by the three levels of government.
"My hat is off to the local residents for the many volunteer hours they devoted to bring this popular project to reality and to the politicians, government department people, and private-sector partners who co-operated so enthusiastically," said Robin Marshall, executive director of the Kings Community Economic Development Agency.
The project will be completed by May 1999. The $56,300 cost is shared by 10 partners:
Transportation and Public Works Land Lease ACOA/EDT Strategic Plan Funds $21,700 Nova Scotia Tourism $18,100 Municipality of the County of Kings $ 7,500 Kings CED Agency (Tourism Kings Committee) $ 1,500 Kings CED Agency Special Sponsorship Funds $ 1,500 Private-sector sponsors (four) $ 6,000
Total $56,300
The Avonport Scenic View Park is the first phase of a larger plan to develop an international-calibre visitor information centre with a travellers' rest stop and interpretive displays to complement a twinned Highway 101, when further highway development proceeds.
The park site will provide barrier-free access, interpretive signs, and seating on a one-hectare (two-acre) property south of Highway 101 on the West Brooklyn Road. Visitors to the site will be treated to the panoramic vista of the Minas Basin and the Annapolis Valley. The location is easily accessible to cars, recreational vehicles and motor coaches from east- and westbound exits on Highway 101.
The park is part of the Kings Community Economic Development Agency's Strategic Plan Implementation Fund, under the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is jointly managed by Economic Development and Tourism and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.