Become a Champion of June is Recreation and Parks Month!

June is a great time to celebrate the numerous and varied benefits of recreation and parks in Alberta. June has been designated Recreation and Parks Month through the declaration of the provincial Recreation and Parks Benefits Charter, along with official endorsement by the provincial government. Please visit www.june.arpaonline.ca to register as a champion, enter our inaugural Bobblehead awards and download a comprehensive toolkit. By submitting your June celebratory events you will also receive an event kit full of fun giveaways including June bug tattoos, skipping ropes and posters! Completion of the online children and nature activity passport will also get you into a draw to win a free nature kit!

Recreation and Parks Month annually recognizes and celebrates how recreation and parks enhance the quality of life for Albertans. We encourage your community to Live it up in June but embrace and celebrate the benefits of recreation of parks all year round. This year’s theme is Children in Nature which promotes the numerous and varied benefits children receive from being outside in Alberta's beautiful great outdoors.

 For more information on June is Recreation and Parks Month please contact Victoria Poschadel at 1-877-544-1747 or by email at vposchadel@arpaonline.ca.

---

National Trails Coalition Applauds Government of Canada Investment in Trails Infrastructure

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Jan 27 – Leaders of the National Trails Coalition (NTC) are pleased that the Government of Canada is injecting $25 million into the construction of trail infrastructure across the nation. New trail infrastructure provides a safe venue for a variety of trail users and creates a local economic development opportunity, particularly in rural and northern Canada.

“The funds announced in today’s Budget will allow us to undertake a nation-wide trail building program that will make trail use safer, stimulate tourism and create jobs,” said National Trails Coalition Chairman and Canadian Trails Federation President, Terry Norman. “This is a major boost to all forms of trail-based tourism and recreational activities.”

The National Trails Coalition was formed in 2007 to bring the broad spectrum of trail-based activities together in a collaborative manner to build, maintain and promote trails and trail use across Canada. One of the founding principles of the Coalition is building new partnerships between trail disciplines; fostering more multiple-use trail development; and providing a trail-based platform on which private enterprise and volunteer groups alike can generate economic activity.

“The Off Highway Vehicle sector welcomes the partnership offered by the Minister of Finance in his Budget,” said Bob Ramsay, President of the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV). “The $25 million investment will significantly increase the level of trail building in the coming year and it will create a heightened level of cooperation among trail user groups as they rally behind a common purpose.”

Dennis Burns, Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) said, “This is tremendous news for the trails community across Canada, particularly in rural and northern areas where trail-based activities play such an important role in the local economy. We salute the government’s recognition that trails are not only important for peoples’ health and wellbeing but they are also good business.”

The National Trails Coalition was formed by the Canadian Trails Federation, the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors’ Council and the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations.

Membership in these national level organizations is drawn from provincial and territorial organizations or from the private sector through the contributions of manufacturers and distributors of trail-related vehicles, products and services. Virtually all forms of trail-based activity are represented under the Coalition banner.

---

 

December 8, 2008

 Province contributes to exploration of Athabasca Landing Trail

Athabasca... The Alberta government is providing a $50,000 grant to the Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee, a partnership between municipalities and recreation and heritage organizations working to develop and promote the historic Athabasca Landing Trail. 

“We are proud to support the collaborative approach the committee is taking to explore recreation and tourism opportunities in the region,” said Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation.  “This is the first step towards building another attraction that will help Albertans and visitors get active, enjoy nature and explore our province.”

Provincial funding will support the first phase of the project to develop a conceptual master plan for the trail.  Work on the plan will begin this month and will include research, community consultation, an assessment of the existing trail route, and recommendations for improving and enhancing trail opportunities. The plan is expected to be completed by July 2009. 

“The Athabasca Landing Trail will create a valuable link in the Trans Canada Trail system and will provide continuity and access to other routes like Alberta’s Capital Region River Valley Park, Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail and the Peace River Trail,” said Jeff Johnson, MLA for Athabasca-Redwater and Chair of the Alberta Recreation Corridors Coordinating Committee.  “As our provincial trail network grows, so will the opportunities for everyone to benefit from outdoor recreation.”

The Athabasca Landing Trail played a key role in delivering goods and services between Edmonton and Athabasca in the late 1800s. It was an important transportation route for settlers in the area.  The committee aims to re-establish the trail by following the original route as closely as possible.  Expected trail users include hikers, equestrian riders, cyclists, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and more.

“Our goal is to emphasize the cultural landmarks and the historic importance of the trail, and honour the families who settled there,” said Rob Woito, Chair of the Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee.  “We want to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to explore Alberta’s heritage in this region.  The proposed trail route passes through urban areas, farmland, parkland and forests, so there is tremendous potential for a wide range of activities for everyone to enjoy.  We envision a trail that will draw visitors year round.”

The grant will be matched by contributions from five municipalities along the 150-kilometre corridor running from Lamoureux to Athabasca with additional project funding and support provided by Alberta TrailNet Society.

Communities situated near or along the trail include Athabasca, Bon Accord, Clyde, Colinton, Fedorah, Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Lamoureux, Meanook, Nestow, Perryvale, Rochester, Tawatinaw, Waugh and Westlock.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Erin Larson Communications Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-415-0918

Andrea Collins Communications Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee 780-433-7209 or cell 780-964-5228

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.                          To call toll-free within Alberta dial 1-877-987-2457.

---

December 16, 2008

Trail upgrades in Athabasca region and Crowsnest Pass create recreational and job opportunities

Edmonton... A $1.5-million project over the next three years will improve two provincial recreational trails, provide employment and training opportunities, and enhance tourism.

The Trails Improvement Project is a joint federal and provincial initiative designed to utilize under-employed Aboriginal and seasonal workers in rural areas and create economic opportunities in the development and maintenance of recreation trail infrastructure.  The two trails selected for this project include a portion of the Trans Canada Trail at the historic Old Peace River Trail between Athabasca and Slave Lake, and trails in the Crowsnest Pass area.

 “Alberta’s recreational trails are enjoyed and valued by many generations of Albertans, and we want to ensure that these trails are safe and sustainable,” said Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Recreation.  “This new funding will help to develop and maintain these trails for recreation and environmental benefits, and provide important job creation and economic opportunities in these regions.”

 The projects will also contribute to the development of a provincial recreation corridors and trails designation program that will make trails safer to use, operate and manage throughout the province. “Projects such as this are valuable in helping us establish guidelines and best practices for trail development on public and private lands,” Ady added.

Both projects are to be completed by March 2011. A joint partnership with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development will ensure infrastructure upgrades are consistent with the management goals and regulatory requirements on public lands.

The proposed project along a portion of the Trans Canada Trail on the historic Old Peace River Trail will improve the trail surface and ensure improved sight lines.  Parking lots and other trail services such as signage, washrooms and camping areas will also be constructed as part of the project.

The Crownest Pass Trails project will focus on the reconstruction of parts of the trail damaged by recent flood and forest fire activities.  This will include rebuilding trail grades, rerouting trail alignments, installing drainage features, and repairing or replacing trail bridges. 

The three-year project is supported by a $1.5-million grant from the provincially-administered national Community Development Trust.  The Government of Canada created the $1-billion Community Development Trust to help provinces and territories assist communities, organizations and workers facing economic hardship caused by the current volatility in global financial and commodities markets.  Alberta’s allocation from the Community Development Trust is $104 million.

Media enquiries may be directed to:

Dan Huang, Communications Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-1828

To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000.

---

Trail Building Continues in Jasper National Park

Click The Jasper Trails Project.pdf for the latest issue of In the Loop- the official newsletter of the Jasper Trails Project.  We welcome your feedback!

Take special note of the Volunteer Program.  If you or your group would like to partake in volunteer trail work this season, please contact the project office and we will schedule you in.  This is a great way to learn more about the project, contribute to a great initiative and meet some interesting folks!

Trans Canada Trail  challenge events 2009 Challenges Due to the increased uncontrolled ATV and dirt bike activities on the KVR it is not prudent to organize an event that involves cycling on this venue this year.  The rail surface is becoming much too laborious for cyclists to make this a pleasant event.  While the KVR is designated for non-motorized trail users, regulations are not in place to enforce this at this time.  Hopefully, by 2010 this will have been remedied allowing the surface to be repaired on a substantial section of the KVR so that an event could once again be considered on this portion of the Trans Canada Trail.  At this time we are offering two TCT Challenge events in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley.   Both are fun oriented non-competitive personally challenging event Golden Ears Bridge TCT Challenge 2009 - October 4 Cyclists - Walkers - Runners We hope to organize this event in conjunction with the opening of the new Golden Ears Bridge which will cause a re-routing of the Trans Canada Trail. It is intended to be a 54 km course from Rocky Point, Port Moody to Fort Langley.  Once, again this should be an exciting and featured course for our participants. Registration from the Trails BC website will begin in the second week of April:  www.trailsbc.ca And Destination Maillardville Challenge 2009 - Sunday, July 12 At the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Maillardville. Cyclists - Walkers - Runners - Voyageur Canoeists Destination Maillardville’ is an event planned for the Maillardville Centennial (1909-2009).  The activity will highlight the discovery of Maillardville’s heritage while walking, cycling, and paddling Voyageur canoes from points outside this French community.  The cyclists and walkers will be starting from points along the Trans Canada Trail.  Those in Voyageur canoes will start from Fort Langley a 23 km paddle and 6 km walk.  Cyclists and walkers will have options of up to 34 km from Port Moody, Port Coquitlam or Colony Farm. Everyone is invited to register and participate in this 'challenge' event organized in conjunction with the “Fair in the Square” event at Place des Arts.  Shuttles (buses and trucks) will be provided from Maillardville’s Laval Square to the starting points on the Trans Canada Trail.  Participants will work their way back to Laval Square in their chosen activity.  On the way back you are invited to participate in the heritage activities at Place des Arts  between 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. where you can enjoy food, music, the museum, train station, Maillardville tours etc. For detail information and to register follow these links: English version         French version  or go to: maillardville100.com   Registration is now open online and otherwise.  Register early because spaces will be limited.

 

Léon Lebrun

Vice-President &

Southwest Regional Director

Trails BC

southwest@trailsbc.ca

www.trailsbc.ca

604-942-6768

---