News release

Grant Funding, Provincial Strategy Support Trail Development

Communities, Culture and Heritage (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)
Lands and Forestry (July 2018 - Aug. 2021)

Nova Scotians and visitors will soon have access to improved trails across the province.

Government is investing more than $972,000 in 29 trail development projects that will help promote healthy, active communities.

"Trails connect us to our communities, allow us to explore nature and support healthy and active lifestyles,” said Minister of Lands and Forestry Iain Rankin, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “These investments will help improve and expand our province’s broad network of trails so Nova Scotians and visitors can enjoy all they have to offer.”

The Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Rails to Trails group received $12,000 to replace aging culverts.

"This funding has already become essential to our capital planning process as it allows us to leverage municipal funding to complete major trail maintenance. Last year, we were able to complete a resurfacing job on a portion of the trail. This year, we had a culvert collapse due to the extremely rainy spring, and the funding is allowing us to repair this area and keep the trail open,” said Jill Campbell-Miller, co-chair of the Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Rails to Trails Association. “The BLT Trail has become an essential part of the community and economy. Funding like this allows us to ensure it remains in top condition."

The investments were made through the Recreational Trail Expansion Grant Program, which helps community groups, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations develop new trails and make capital and infrastructure upgrades to existing trails.

A list of organizations receiving grants can be found at https://cch.novascotia.ca/trail-funding-programs

Mr. Rankin also launched Nova Scotia’s first trails strategy, which was developed with the Nova Scotia Trails Federation and other partners to support sustainable trail development.

“Today is the first day of a new exciting vision for trails in Nova Scotia,” said Beth Pattillo, chair of the Nova Scotia Trails Federation. “This shared strategy is a testament to the value of our trails and the dedicated volunteers who build and maintain them.”

For a list of some Nova Scotia’s trails visit https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/trails. For more information on the trails strategy visit https://novascotia.ca/trailstrategy/