Trails to Hike Economy in Guysborough
Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have a new place to enjoy the great outdoors as the Guysborough County Trails Association is developing a multipurpose trail from Salmon River to Country Harbour.
As part of the Trans Canada Trail system, the 14.2-kilometre trail will begin at the Lake Bridge in Salmon River and lead hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and horseback riders to a finishing point at Nelson Lake West Road near Crossroads in Country Harbour. This route will extend the 30-kilometres of trail already developed by the association from the Village of Guysborough to Salmon River.
"We're very excited to be developing a section of the Trans Canada Trail in Nova Scotia," said Phil Hochman of the trail association. "This project means a lot to our communities both as a recreational facility and as a means of bringing more tourists to this beautiful area of the province."
The trail will be equipped with a parking lot, a campground, privies, benches and picnic tables. Directional signage will guide trailblazers along the route while interpretive displays and brochures will highlight the resident wildlife and local ecology.
"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 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."
In addition to community support for building the trail, the Guysborough County Trails Association has received $50,000 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 ACOA and Nova Scotia Economic Development. Human Resources Development Canada has also contributed $23,000.
"Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of our 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."
"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 to attract 36,000 new visitors to the province each year. The project received a total of $2 million in funding under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
AUX RÉDACTEURS EN CHEF: Ce communiqué est également disponible en français; appeler 902-424-4492 ou c. élec. [email protected] .