News release

Province Celebrates International Trails Day

Office of Health Promotion (Jan. 2003 - May 2005)

International Trails Day gets off to a blazing start on Saturday, June 5. Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald will officially proclaim International Trails Day in Mabou at the Trans Canada Trail Bike and Hike, one of 36 events provincewide. People of Mabou and surrounding areas will bike and hike together on 15 kilometres of abandoned rail line.

"International Trails Day is a day dedicated to celebrate trails, promote their uses, and recognize their role in building healthy lifestyles," said Mr. MacDonald. "It's an opportunity for families to be active while enjoying the outdoors and each other's company."

International Trails Day was established in Nova Scotia by Dave Carter -- a Dartmouth resident -- after he attended a trails conference in St. Louis, Mo., and realized that the United States was the only country with an official trails recognition day. Under the umbrella group -- the Nova Scotia Trails Federation -- Trails Day, now in its third year, has become an internationally recognized event that will be celebrated with 75 events around the world.

"We were inspired to encourage trail use at home and do our part to get people active," said Mr. Carter. "Each year we choose to highlight a different section of the Trans Canada Trail in Nova Scotia. Last year we were in Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea, and this year it's in Mabou."

The Office of Health Promotion has committed close to $500,000 towards supporting the trail movement in Nova Scotia. The trail initiative is part of a healthy solution to increase physical activity and encourage active transportation -- it's good for health and the environment.

For more information on International Trails Day visit www.internationaltrailsday.com . For more information on trails in Nova Scotia visit www.trails.gov.ns.ca .


NOTE: The following is a list of International Trails Day events taking place in Nova Scotia from June 5 to 7. For more information on these events, visit www.internationaltrailsday.com

Saturday, June 5

  • Scragg Lake, Annapolis Co.: ATV Fun Run
  • Moser River, Pictou Co.: Bay of Islands Trail opening
  • Fairbanks Field, Shubie Park on Locks Road, Dartmouth: Nova Scotia Trails celebration
  • Glenmore Road, Musquodoboit Valley: Musquodoboit Valley ATV Club rally
  • Graves Island Provincial Park, Chester: Halifax Outdoor Club weekend
  • Chebucto Peninsula: Bluff Wilderness Trail opening
  • Mikmawey Trail, Debert: Central Nova Volkssport Club 10- kilometre guided walk
  • Lunenburg: Chebucto Hiking Club 10-kilometre guided walk
  • Mahone Bay: Chebucto Hiking Club 10-kilometre guided walk
  • Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea Rails to Trails, Lakeside: family walk and bike
  • Lake Charles Trail, Shubenacadie: Shubenacadie Trails Celebrates
  • Tatamagouche Creamery, Tatamagouche: Colchester Trails Association celebration
  • St. Margaret's Bay: food and fun trail walk
  • Mahone Bay: guided historical tours
  • Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax: Halifax North West Trails celebration
  • Markland, Caribou Gold Mines/Moose River Mines: Icelandic Society of Nova Scotia walk
  • Chapel Gully Trail, Canso: Canso Peninsula bird walk
  • Atlantic View Trail, Lawrencetown: nature walk on the Atlantic View Trail
  • Little Judique Harbour Trustle, Little Judique Harbour: Inverness and Judique Flyers Trail Association
  • Kinsmen Park Gazebo, Sackville: First Lake trails and shoreline cleanup

Sunday, June 6

  • McNabs/Lawlors Islands: beach cleanup
  • Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea Trail Head, Lakeside: Dartmouth Volksmarch 12- or 18-kilometre walk
  • Dayspring, Lunenburg Co.: Miller Point Peace Park Day
  • Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea Rails to Trails, Lakeside: guided walk
  • St. Margaret's Bay Road, Long Lake Provincial Park: guided hike
  • Crystal Crescent Beach, Halifax Co.: Chebucto Peninsula bird tour
  • Windsor: Hants Happy Hackers trail ride

Monday, June 7

  • Back Harbour Trail, Lunenburg: Walk for the Health of It!