South Shore Annapolis Valley, Kings County Trail Associations Receive New Trail Funding

Nova Scotians will soon enjoy new trails in Kings and Annapolis counties thanks to a provincial investment of $340,000.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, made the announcement today, July 30, in Kingston, Kings Co.

"This brings the completion of these trails one step closer to reality," said Mr. Barnet. "It is through the tireless work of each trail association that these trails will soon be ready for use."

The funding, from the province's B-FIT program, will help develop new trails along former rail lines.

The South Shore Annapolis Valley Recreational Trail Association will receive $185,000 over three years for a multi-use trail on the former CNR rail line. The trail will cost $589,000.

"The B-FIT program helps groups and organizations move forward with these projects," said Corey Robar, president of the South Shore Annapolis Valley Recreational Trail Association. "This project will link the South Shore to the Valley, because the trail runs from New Germany to Middleton."

The Kings County Trails Society will receive $155,000 over three years to help develop a shared-use trail on an abandoned rail-bed corridor from Sharp Brook in Cambridge to the Kings-Annapolis County line. The trail will cost $480,000.

"We're very happy," said Bob Wright, president of the Kings County Trails Society. "The government has given us a lot of advice and support over the years, and without the support of the B-FIT program, we wouldn't be able to carry out the work.

The B-FIT program was introduced in 2007 and will invest $50 million over 10 years to construct sport and recreation infrastructure. This is in addition to the $3 million invested annually in recreation facility grants.

B-FIT helps not-for-profit community groups and municipalities develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.