With Provincial Government assistance of $140,000, the Town of Conception Bay South will undertake design and engineering work for the T'Railway Provincial Park. The work will focus on the utilization of the existing provincial park through the town as a non-motorized section of trail, along with the development of a bypass trail through the back country around the town for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. These plans will then be used to develop a funding proposal for the completion of the bypass project.

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and M.H.A. for Conception Bay South, were in the town today for the announcement.

"This initiative is an important step toward addressing many long-standing concerns among the citizens of Conception Bay South regarding motorized vehicle use along the T'Railway Provincial Park through the town," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "As a result of the design and engineering work, the town will be well on its way toward its goal of developing a bypass route for off-road vehicles to enhance the experience for T'Railway users in this particular area. We want to ensure that the people of the province continue to enjoy the recreational value of the T'Railway in all regions of the province."

The announcement today reflects the findings of a 2007 study of the T'Railway Provincial Park in Conception Bay South which was conducted by the province and the town. The study included an analysis of the concerns of area residents and recommended a future direction for the park that would be acceptable to local residents, municipal governments, trail users and the Provincial Government. The report recommended the development of a bypass trail through the back country around the town, specifically for ATV and snowmobile use, and also recommended that the existing T'Railway Provincial Park running through the town be used as a non-motorized section of trail.

"As the Town of Conception Bay South has grown, more people have been using the T'Railway for walking, jogging, bicycle riding, skiing and also as a means of enjoying the use of motorized recreational vehicles, such as dirt bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles," said Minister French. "We recognize that multiple activities occurring on this section of the trail are causing concerns. The future creation of a bypass to the T'Railway Park will achieve the balance we are all looking for — homeowners, walkers, as well as ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts — and will provide for a much safer recreational environment for all concerned."

The T'Railway Provincial Park was officially proclaimed as a provincial park in 1997 and stretches approximately 880 kilometres across the island portion of the province.