Press/Stories
Harbour Passage - Pathway to an Active Community
For immediate Release – May 23, 2008
(Saint John, NB) – Preparations are underway for the May 27th official designation ceremony of Harbour Passage as part of the Trans Canada Trail. Celebrations will commence at 4:00 PM with a parade “Harbour Passage - Pathway to an Active Community” from the Hilton Hotel to Harbour Passage (near Fort LaTour). Upon arrival the ceremony will commence followed with entertainment, music and a BBQ. The BBQ is provided by Local 18 City of Saint John Outside Workers with the proceeds going to PRO Kids. Tim Maloney will provide entertainment for the event.
Honourable Stuart Jamieson, Minister of Tourism and Parks, Mayor Elect Ivan Court, Valerie Pringle, Chair of the Trans Canada Trail and Bill MacMackin, President of Saint John Waterfront Development will be on hand for the official designation.
This official designation ceremony is part of a full day of events scheduled by the New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. in partnership with the Trans Canada Trail. The events are to celebrate the accomplishments of the communities and trails in the Saint John region. Valerie Pringle, Chair of the Trans Canada Trail, will attend the public events planned to celebrate registration of over 140 kilometres of trail within the region. At 12 noon, there will be an official unveiling of the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion at Rockwood Park where Premier Shawn Graham, Mayor Elect Ivan Court, NB Trails Council Representative Barry Spencer will join Ms. Pringle to recognize over 1,000 local supporters whose names are inscribed in the Pavilion. Earlier in the day (9:30 AM.), there will be an event at the Brundage Point River Centre in Grand Bay-Westfield, where the St John River’s Lower River Passage will also be designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail. It is one of just three water sections on the cross-Canada Trail.
“The events in Saint John are a celebration of the impressive trail building efforts in the community and the contribution of the people of New Brunswick to this wonderful national legacy project,” says Valerie Pringle. “When completed, the Trans Canada Trail will be the longest trail of its kind in the world, connecting our regions, our three oceans and our people in a new way for generations to come.”
“Harbour Passage is Saint John’s gateway to the Trans Canada Trail” says Mayor Elect Ivan Court. “It is the path of our true identity, a natural linkage of all nationalities that form this wonderful country we call home, our country Canada.”
Harbour Passage is located in an urban setting which is somewhat unique to the existing trails of the Trans Canada Trail. Therefore, it seems appropriate to celebrate Harbour Passage - Pathway to an Active Community with a focus on active transportation and wellness. Harbour Passage serves as a barrier free multi-purpose trail for walkers, runners, bikers, skateboarders, and individuals with assisted mobility devices. Harbour Passage also includes interpretative signage, lighting, pavilions, seating areas, recreational spaces and viewing areas, landscaping, vehicle parking and reconstructed wetlands.
“Harbour Passage has become a popular destination for citizens and visitors providing a convenient access for leisurely strolls, jogs or for just watching the activity in the harbour. Harbour Passage serves as a convenient transportation link between the north and south areas of Saint John. Truly, Harbour Passage, today and for generations to come, connects our people in an exciting new way” says Bill Butler, P. Eng. Volunteer Chair Harbour Passage Working Group.
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Saint John Waterfront Development is comprised of the Saint John Development Corporation, City of Saint John, Province of New Brunswick, Uptown Saint John Inc., Enterprise Saint John Inc., Saint John Board of Trade, and the Saint John Port Authority. The mandate is to channel, focus, and direct the community of Greater Saint John’s collective energy and enthusiasm for waterfront development.
The Trans Canada Trail is a national recreation trail that, when completed will extend 21,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans, linking 1,000 communities and 33 million Canadians. It will be the world’s longest recreation trail. Today approximately 70 percent of the trail has been built and is being used by millions of Canadian to hike, cycle, cross-country ski, canoe, horseback ride and snow-mobile. (See www.tctrail.ca)
The New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of non-motorized trail in New Brunswick. It is responsible for the registration and development of Trans Canada Trail in New Brunswick.
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Ross Jefferson
Saint John Waterfront Development
Tel: 506 674 4152
Email: ross.jefferson@sjwaterfront.com
Jane Murphy
New Brunswick Trails Council
Tel: 506 543 1635 or 1 800 526 7070
E-mail: janemurphy@SentierNBTrail.com