Government of Canada supports trail infrastructure project
July 22, 2015 – Cookville, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The LaHave River Trail skirts the LaHave River and Wentzell Lake. This year-round attraction draws outdoor and nature enthusiasts for its scenic views, river and lake access, and all-around perfect setting for leisure activities.
In order to expand the trails running through the area, Parliamentary Secretary Gerald Keddy announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $62,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to develop 5.13 km of a planned 20-km shared-use trail along the LaHave River in Lunenburg. This project will significantly enhance trail “connectivity” in the region by bringing together existing trails in the South Shore and Annapolis Valley.
The result will be a trail network accessible from Queens, Lunenburg, Kings and Annapolis Counties. Adjacent communities will experience far-reaching benefits ranging from outdoor enthusiasts eating at local restaurants and grocery stores, to staying in nearby hotels, visiting tourist information booths, supporting entrepreneurs providing outdoor experiences and generally providing increased sales to small rural businesses.
The Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Health and Wellness, also contributed $20,000 towards this project.
Quick Facts:
- In 2005, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) gave the LaHave River Trail Association the authority to construct, maintain and operate a shared multi-use recreational trail system to be known as the LaHave River Trail on what had formerly been the CN railroad bed at Wentzell Lake.
- The LaHave River Trail Association has since developed and managed 8 km of finished trail.
- In 2014, the Association hired a consulting firm to develop a detailed trail route and implementation plan for a continuous trail.
- This project supports one phase of the plan to complete two more sections of shared-use trail along the LaHave River. Once fully completed, there will be a trail route that links existing trails from the South Shore to the Annapolis Valley.
- Phase two is being planned for 2017 and will develop a final 7 km of trail for full connectivity.
Quotes:
“Offering outdoor recreation space, preserving our province’s natural beauty and increasing tourism and visitation are just some of the countless benefits that infrastructure projects such as this one provide to rural areas. Our Government is pleased to support the LaHave River Trail Association as they embark on connecting the trails that span our scenic province so that visitors and residents can enjoy them for years to come.”
-Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The Lahave River Trail Association is proud to be honouring the toil and hard work of our ancestors who built the railways and the communities by them, fished, farmed, cut logs and transported them down the track and the river. The trail has and will have many of our stories to tell as we are now able to recreate a path through the heart of our Province to join the communities of the South Shore and the Annapolis Valley. The trail makes it possible for us all to slow down, have a healthier life, enjoy the outdoors, meet neighbours and see, learn and experience as you never will from a car or a couch.”
-Helen Feesey Ferns, Chair, LaHave River Trail Association
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Helen Feesey Ferns
Chair
The LaHave River Trail Association
902-543-9241
lahaverivertrailassociation@gmail.com
