Trails to Hike Economy in Halifax County

Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have new places to enjoy the great outdoors as community organizations around Halifax are developing hiking trails in Sambro, St. Margarets Bay, Musquodoboit Harbour and Cole Harbour.

Like many trails projects across the province, trails in Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax 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 ACOA. "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."

Gordon Balser, Nova Scotia's 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."

The Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association is in the early stages of developing a four-kilometre hiking trail beginning at Bissett Road that will make use of four abandoned railway bridges. The trail and the reconstructed bridges spanning the Cole Harbour salt marshes will eventually be part of the 18-kilometre Cole Harbour Heritage Park trails system.

The Cole Harbour system has received $217,672 through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project and $7,000 through the Strategic Planning Implementation Fund, which is also funded by the Economic Diversification Agreement. In addition to assistance from the regional municipality, Human Resources Development Canada has provided $87,000 while the Trans Canada Trail Foundation has contributed $10,000.

An 8.5-kilometre coastal trail is being developed by the Greater Chebucto Community Development Association around Pennant Point, which is located on a large headland between Sambro and Pennant harbours. Hikers will be welcomed at the trailhead by an interpretive kiosk and directed along the route by signs.

The Pennant Point Coastal Heritage Park Trail has received $82,500 through the trails project. Other funding partners include the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, which is providing $15,000, Human Resources Development Canada, Halifax Regional Municipality, the Halifax Regional Development Association and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

The St. Margarets Bay Area Rails to Trails Association is working on the first phase of its 38-kilometre trail. This trail begins in Timberlea and connects with the Aspotogan trail in Hubbards. The first 14.5-kilometre stretch of the trail will start at Sir John A. MacDonald High School and end at St. Margarets Consolidated School. The multipurpose trail with its interpretive signage will accommodate the many community members who initiated the trail project, including hikers, bikers, runners, horseback riders, dog sledders, snowmobilers and ATV users.

In addition to community support, the association has received $50,000 through the trails project and $6,990 through the Strategic Planning Implementation Fund, which is also funded by the Economic Diversification Agreement. Human Resources Development Canada has contributed $80,200 and the regional municipality has provided assistance.

The Musquodoboit Trailways Association is adding amenities to its 14.5-kilometre multipurpose section of the Trans Canada Trail. This second phase of the trail's development will provide trail- blazers with an upgraded route, washrooms, benches and picnic shelters, as well as interpretive and directional signs. Plans are in the works for further development of a wilderness ridge trail in the White Lakes protected area.

The association has received $30,000 through the trails project. In addition to Halifax Regional Municipality assistance, community support has been supplemented with $95,000 from Human Resources Development Canada and $10,000 from the trails foundation.

"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.

AUX RÉDACTEURS EN CHEF: Ce communiqué est également disponible en français; appeler 902-424-4492 ou c. élec. [email protected] .