Let's Take a Walk!
News Release
March 30, 2016 – Charlottetown, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Charlottetown is a vibrant seaside capital city with historic charm, and with its small size it can easily be explored and enjoyed by foot. Over two decades ago, the City created a network of trails and waterfront boardwalks that have become popular among visitors and residents alike. These popular attractions are now in need of upgrades to maintain user safety and longevity.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament (Charlottetown), on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today joined His Worship Clifford Lee, Mayor of the City of Charlottetown to announce funding for the Confederation Trail and Victoria Park Boardwalk upgrades. Through its Innovative Communities Fund, ACOA will provide a $500,000 contribution toward this project.
The waterfront boardwalk begins at Victoria Park with sidewalk connections through downtown streets, joining back to the boardwalk at the historic Charlottetown waterfront. The walking path then attaches to the Confederation Trail at Grafton Street and stretches some 11 kilometres within the Charlottetown limits to the Royalty Junction. This project involves replacement of the wooden boardwalk that stretches 1.25 kilometres along the Victoria Park waterfront with bench pad replacements and improved drainage. The Confederation Trail between Belvedere Avenue and the arterial highway will be equipped with LED ‘dark-sky compliance’ lighting along a 2.5 kilometre section.
Quotes
“Regional development agencies, such as ACOA, play an important role in addressing the unique needs of Atlantic Canada and its programs are designed to help strengthen the regional economy. ACOA funding for this project supports the City as it upgrades a popular trail system in the greater Charlottetown area.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
“The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening local economies by investing in social infrastructure. This project is a great example of how a community is upgrading one of its assets to provide a safe and environmentally-friendly trail system that strategically connects urban and rural areas and provides a healthy outdoor recreational option for residents and visitors alike.”
- Sean Casey, Member of Parliament (Charlottetown)
“The Victoria Park Boardwalk and our trail system are a vital part of our City, contributing to the overall quality of life in Charlottetown. We encourage our residents and visitors to take advantage of all this great city has to offer. We thank Councillor Mitchell Tweel, Chair of our Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee, for his role in bringing this project forward, and ACOA for their continued support in projects that enhance our Island and our community.”
- His Worship Clifford Lee, Mayor of the City of Charlottetown
Associated Links
Contacts
Christopher Brooks
Acting Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569
Jennifer Gavin
Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4102
jgavin@charlottetown.ca
Background
As the Birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown is recognized for its tourism product offerings including festivals and events throughout the year and the historic sites that tell the story of PEI’s past. The trail system of boardwalks, marked city sidewalks, and the Confederation Trail have become an important component of the tourism product.
The Victoria Park boardwalk was constructed in 1995 and has become one of the most popular park infrastructures in Charlottetown. Its waterfront location in Victoria Park has made the boardwalk a destination sought out by local residents and visitors seeking outdoor activities. This Boardwalk is owned and managed by the City of Charlottetown.
The Confederation Trail came to be through the advocacy work of a number “rails to trails” groups in the province in the early 1990s. The Provincial Government purchased the entire railway right-of-way from CN in 1994 following the removal of all of the train tracks in PEI. Converting the rail lines to multi-purpose trails began in the same year. The Confederation Trail offers users a unique experience and perspective of life and landscape through some of the province’s smallest communities.
‘Dark-sky compliance’ ensures minimal light pollution, which allows increased visibility of the night sky, reduced effects of unnatural lighting on the environment, and decreased energy usage.
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