Environment and Conservation
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
April 14, 2010
Funding Announced for Conception
Bay South T'Railway
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.
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