Trails to Hike Economy in Cumberland County

Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have new places to enjoy the great outdoors as community organizations in Cape Chignecto and Oxford are developing hiking and multipurpose trails in Cumberland County.

Like many trails projects across the province, trails in Cumberland County have received financial assistance through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which is funded by the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Nova Scotia Economic Development.

"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 Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for the ACOA. "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."

Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development, emphasized the importance of using the province's natural resources for new, sustainable economic growth.

"Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of our tourism industry," said Mr. Balser. "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."

Bound on three sides by the Bay of Fundy, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is gaining a reputation for outstanding wilderness hiking opportunities and breath-taking scenery. Further development of trails and facilities will ensure that the park's popularity among hikers around the world keeps growing. In addition to improvements to certain trails, the park is adding walk-in campsites, bunkhouses and cabins, parking, privies and other amenities. A park brochure and trail map are being developed and an entry kiosk with identification signage will be added at the Spicers Cove entry to the park.

Along with community support, the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association is making improvements to the park with $215,000 through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project and $28,500 through the Strategic Planning Implementation Fund, which is also funded by the Economic Diversification Agreement. The development association also contributed $20,000 in cash and in-kind services to the project.

Cumberland County will be the entry point for the Trans Canada Trail into Nova Scotia. The Cumberland Trails Association is upgrading a 39.4-kilometre stretch of the abandoned Oxford-Pictou shortline railway corridor with bridge restoration, directional signs and other amenities. This multipurpose trail will pass through numerous communities in the county before crossing into Colchester and Pictou counties where the local trails associations are transforming the same railway corridor into another 47-kilometres of trail. It will also connect to another section of trail extending to the New Brunswick border.

In addition to community and corporate support for building the trail, the Cumberland Trails Association has received $50,000 through the trails project and $21,000 through implementation fund. Human Resources Development Canada provided $38,000 while the Trans Canada Trail Foundation contributed $18,000.

"The tourism industry is active in every corner of this province," said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council. "Developing trails that are popular attractions for visitors is another way our communities are contributing to the growth of this billion dollar industry."

The $3-million Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which was announced last summer, will help make Nova Scotia one of the world's premier trails destinations and attract 36,000 new visitors to the province each year. The Trails Destination Project received a total of $2 million in funding under the Economic Diversification Agreement.

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