Trails to Hike Economy

Residents and visiting nature lovers will soon have a new place to enjoy the outdoors. The Pictou County Trails Association is developing a multi-purpose trail along the abandoned Pictou-Oxford shortline rail corridor.

Part of the Trans Canada Trail system, the 36.7 kilometre trail will begin at Brown's Point in Pictou, pass through farmland, cross the River John and end in the community of River John. The trail will be available to hikers, bikers, snowmobilers and horseback riders year-long and offer spectacular opportunities to view deer, birds and other wildlife.

"Nature tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry," said Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development. "Our investment in trails across the province will ensure that Nova Scotia is an even more attractive destination for those outdoor enthusiasts who will bring their tourism dollars to our communities."

"This trail will provide our community with a new recreational facility for healthy living," said Jeffery Turnbull of the Pictou County Trails Association. "We'll also benefit when visitors use the trail and spend time and money in communities along the route."

Many partnerships at the community level have been formed to develop the trail. Central Supplies donated some building materials while military reservists provided labour for decking and railing of the bridge in River John. The Pictou County Snowriders helped to build bridges and maintain the trail, and the town and municipality of Pictou provided storage and office space.

"Communities around this province know that Nova Scotia's natural beauty is one of our greatest strengths and they're taking full advantage of it by developing these hiking trails," said Senator Al Graham, leader of the government in the Senate and Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spin-offs they'll generate."

In addition to community support for building the trail, the Pictou County Trails Association received $50,000 through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development. Human Resources Development Canada contributed $48,000 and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation provided $10,000.

The Pictou-Oxford Shortline Trail is part of the $3 million Nova Scotia Trails Destination project, which was announced last summer. This project received $2 million through the COOPERATION Agreement. It aims to make Nova Scotia one of the world's premier trails destinations and attract 36,000 new visitors to the province each year.