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NLIS 6 October 15, 2002 (Industry, Trade and Rural Development) Fortune Head Trail Officially Open to Hikers The Fortune Head Trail was officially opened to hikers, nature enthusiasts and the curious today at a ceremony held at the entrance to the trail in Fortune. On site for the event were the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Education and MHA for Grand Bank; Bill Matthews, MP for Burin-St. George�s; Charles Penwell, Mayor of the Town of Fortune; and representatives of local business development organizations and community groups. Part of the Greenway Trail System, the Fortune Head Trail serves to promote and interpret the unique characteristics of the Fortune Head Ecological Reserve. A series of trails, beach walks and fossil experiences along the edge of the cliffs and Reserve build on the existing network in an environmentally friendly design. A CD Rom on the fossil exhibit has been prepared and is on display at various tourism sites around the region. "This trail greatly enhances the experience of visitors to this area by offering a unique hiking opportunity through beautiful coastline and historic fossil sites," said Mr. Penwell. "The trail builds on the tourism offerings of the entire Burin Peninsula and will hopefully entice visitors to further explore this part of the province." "The Government of Canada recognizes the value and potential of the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Matthews, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "We are committed to assisting in its development through strategic investments such as the one we�ve made in this trail system. Improving the number and quality of offerings to tourists is essential to the industry�s continued growth along the Heritage Run." "The provincial government's Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth identified tourism development as a key priority for action. In particular, we made a commitment to help communities build their tourism products," said Minister Foote, on behalf of Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kelvin Parsons. "By working together towards a common goal - the economic development of the Burin Peninsula, and Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole - the Fortune Head Trail is now a reality." Fortune Head is located 1.6 km west of the town of Fortune, on the southwest tip of the Burin Peninsula, and has been declared an ecological reserve by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It represents the boundary between the Precambrian era and Cambrian period (approximately 530 million years ago). Improvements made to the trail include parking, signage, interpretive panels, benches, picnic tables, rest stops and garbage cans. A brochure and walking map has been designed and will be distributed throughout the region. Funding in the amount of $307,440 ($245,952 federal; $61,488 provincial) for this initiative was provided through the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC). EDC is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry. It is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. Media contact:
2002 10 15 3:05 p.m. |
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