Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development
April 16, 2010
International Trail Being Extended
The International Appalachian Trail
that began in the State of Georgia in the 1920s is being
extended on Newfoundland and Labrador's west coast with
support from the Provincial Government. The $40,498
investment will lead to the extension of the trail by 90
kilometres and further strengthens the hiking and trail
experience in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The investment brings the Provincial
Government's total commitment for the completion of the
Newfoundland and Labrador portion of the International
Appalachian Trail to more than $150,000.
"The continued success of the
International Appalachian Trail and the East Coast Trail
on the Avalon Peninsula signify the economic
opportunities attached to trail development," said the
Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade
and Rural Development. "People travel far and wide to
experience the province's unique terrain, ocean vistas,
and history. With continued developments and greater
usage come new opportunities for entrepreneurs and
existing businesses as they deliver the appropriate
services and amenities."
Scheduled for
completion in fall 2010, trail development includes two
geographical areas — 50 kilometres to connect the Blow
Me Down and Lewis Hills trails linking Benoit's Cove and
Stephenville, and 40 kilometres of the
Devil's Bite Trail that loops around the fiords of the
Parsons Pond watershed. The International
Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador (IATNL),
through its volunteers, will construct the trail and
erect signage along the trails.
;The support we receive from the
Provincial Government is critical to our goal of
maximizing Newfoundland and Labrador's adventure tourism
resources," said Paul Wylezol, Chair of the IATNL
and President of the Council International Appalachian
Trails. "Developing, protecting and marketing these
renewable assets will bring long-term benefits
to communities, residents and businesses throughout
rural areas of our province."
The Appalachian Mountain system of
eastern North America extends from central Alabama to
the island of Newfoundland. With the highest peak at
Mount Mitchell (2,037 m) in North Carolina, it includes
the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green
Mountains of Vermont, the Catskills of New York, the
Alleghenies in Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge in Virginia
and North Carolina, the Cumberland Mountains in
Tennessee, and Newfoundland and Labrador's Long Range
Mountains. Its trail network attracts millions of hikers
from the eastern United States and around the world.
"Extension of the International
Appalachian Trail from the southwest portion of the
province through the Northern Peninsula is the result of
a tremendous commitment from volunteers and community
partnerships," said Minister Skinner. "I'd like to
acknowledge their tireless efforts and wish them the
best of luck in completing the trail."
Established in 2003, the IATNL is a
Corner Brook based, non-profit organization dedicated to
developing the 1,200-kilometre portion of the
International Appalachian Trail along the Long Range
Mountains, from Port aux Basques in
southwestern Newfoundland to Crow Head (just east of
L'Anse aux Meadows) at the tip of the Northern
Peninsula. When complete, the International Appalachian
Trail route will extend 6,500 kilometres.
This initiative was funded through the
Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund, which through
Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children
and Our Future was increased to an $11 million
program. Administered by the Department of Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development, the program provides
non-repayable contributions to economic development
agencies for initiatives that address regional and
sectoral development and diversification.
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Media contacts:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Paul Wylezol
Chairperson
International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and
Labrador
709-639-3113
p.wylezol@iatnl.ca
|
2010 04 16
11:30 a.m.
|
