Queens Rails to Trails receives grant

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection announced May 1 investments totaling $471,085 for the South Shore region under Nova Scotia’s Recreation Facility Development Program.

"Investing in sport and recreation facilities is part of our overall strategy to make Nova Scotians healthier and help reduce the demand on our health-care system," said Barnet.

The grant will be provided in two installments. The association is getting $59,000 in fiscal 2007-08 and $20,000 next year.

Association president, Dwight Crouse said, “It’s good news for Queens County for the multi-purpose trail system we’re proposing to develop. We’re still waiting for funding from ACOA and we’ve applied for a small grant from the Region of Queens.”

The first phase, which will cost about $260,000, includes 10 kilometres of trail on each end of the system, one in the Port Mouton area and one ending in the Mill Village/Port Medway area.

Crouse said he expects the entire 43 kilometre system will take four to six years. The first phase should begin this summer or fall, he added.

He said potential uses include and involve hiking, cycling, bird watching, horse back riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile and All Terrain Vehicles, to name just a few recreation examples.

The association is currently fundraising with support from members of the community. For example, Dale Verge and Doin’ Country recently released a CD with the proceeds going to the association. This surpassed $600, he said. He added the Queens ATV Association donated $500 as well.

The organization will seek corporate sponsors and, in the future, he said, would call for volunteers to cut bushes, do some grading work, add Grade A gravel, and, when possible, help make the bridges safe. Much of this work, however, will need to be completed by experts and requires engineering work.

Crouse said there are 32 bridges in the entire future system. The biggest ones facing the group during the first phase are the Highway 103 Medway River and Summerville bridges.