JASPER, ALBERTA, October 21, 2006 --
The Jasper Discovery Trail is an example of how people working together can achieve goals that are consistent with ecological integrity, visitor experience and education.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, formally opened the Jasper Discovery Trail with a ribbon cutting ceremony and partnership plaque presentation.
"The Jasper Discover Trail is part of a larger initiative designed to improve trails for users as well as to enhance wildlife habitat," said Minister Ambrose. "It is a project which reflects exactly what Parks Canada is working to achieve - the protection of ecological integrity, the promotion of memorable experiences and the education of our visitors."
The successful development of the Jasper Discovery Trail was a result of partnership agreements between several levels of government and other organizations within the community. Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, the Friends of Jasper National Park and the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society all played vital roles in the initiative.
"The collaborative development of the Jasper Discovery Trail is an example of the importance and success of partnerships," said Mr. Merrifield. "This project encourages and promotes a process that fully engages other levels of government and stakeholders in solution development and implementation."
Jasper National Park of Canada is home to 4,800 residents and plays host to almost two million visitors each year. Most people concentrate their visits in and around the Town of Jasper. The eight km Jasper Discovery Trail surrounds the town and provides a level of use previously missing from the trail network - easy, close to civilization, wide and hardened for various use types. It promotes "out of car" visitation and further exploration of Jasper National Park. The trail also addresses ecological integrity issues by concentrating human use in high use areas and leaving more landscape for wildlife to carry out their daily needs without being interrupted by humans.
In 2006, the Friends of Jasper National Park partnered with Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, the Green Space Planning Committee, and Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society to create interpretive and directional signs for the trail. Signs will orient trail users and give them a sense of what makes Jasper and Jasper National Park unique. As part of the project, student artwork will grace some of the panels with their vision of what a perfect trail network would look like. The addition of interpretive panels will speak to the human and natural history of the area.
"The Jasper Discovery Trail will be an enduring legacy to the value residents place on active, harmonious interaction with our natural surroundings and respect for our history," said Mr. Richard Ireland, Mayor of the Municipality of Jasper. "It is more than a trail; it is a testament to our community vision and to the benefits of collaborative effort."
Parks Canada Agency support to implement the project was made possible through the Ecological Integrity Themes Fund received in 2003 and 2005 and through funds from the Visitor Experience Management Board.
Information:
Joanne Huppé
Communication Advisor
National Corporate Communications Branch
Parks Canada Agency
819-953-8699
Ron Hooper
Superintendent
Jasper Field Unit
Parks Canada
780-852-6171
