News Release-October 2020
PROVINCE INVESTS $ 7 MILLION FOR CREATION , MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF MANITOBA TRAILS
Provide Manitobans with More opportunities to Enjoy our Beautiful Province : Pallister
In partnership with Trails Manitoba , the Manitoba government is investing $ 7 million to support the creation , maintenance and enhancement of active transportation trails across the province and within the city of Winnipeg , Premier Brian Pallister and Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires announced today .
Get outside and explore Manitoba – there is no better place to be and no better time to explore our beautiful province ,” said Pallister . “ Our government is proud to partner with Trails Manitoba and The Winnipeg Foundation to ensure our trails and pathways are more safe and accessible for all users , for many generations “ to come .” There are more than 1,700 kilometres of active transportation trails throughout the province . The Manitoba government has created three funds that will be managed by Trails Manitoba and held in trust by The Winnipeg Foundation .
“ This investment by the province will allow us to leverage support for many trail projects throughout Manitoba ,” said Erik Dickson , president , Trails Manitoba . “ It provides the financial stability to ensure our organization is sustainable and able to continue supporting the construction and maintenance of recreational trails while improving our province ’ s trail offerings and ensuring their long-term viability for future generations to enjoy .”
The $ 1-million Trails Manitoba Operating Endowment Fund will serve as ongoing operating funding for Trails Manitoba . The $ 4-million Manitoba Trails Improvement Endowment Fund will support annual application based grants to create new trails or improve existing ones . The third fund , a $ 2-million Manitoba Trails Strategic Fund , is designed to support capital projects that advance recreational trail development in Winnipeg and will be distributed as matching grants . “ We know that Manitobans took advantage of our trail system in record numbers this year and we want to ensure we continue to support this type of outdoor recreation opportunity ,” said Squires . “ Whether it ’ s commuting to and from work or escaping the city for a country hike or ride , today ’ s announcement ensures there will be more trails for all Manitobans to use and enjoy well into the future .”
Eligible projects will be those that provide new trail opportunities , either be creating a new trail or extending an existing one , improve the quality of the trail network , or provide maintenance or trail beautification . Trails Manitoba will have more information on eligibility and project criteria in the coming weeks .
The Way Forward 2020
This past year , trails in Manitoba have seen unprecedented levels of activity as Manitobans find ways to stay active , improve their overall well-being , and explore their province .
Trails Manitoba is proud to partner with the Province of Manitoba and The Winnipeg Foundation by offering two new recreational trail grants : Trails Grant for Manitoba and Trails Grant for Winnipeg . These two grant programs represent an investment of $ 6 million from the Province of Manitoba , for the development and enhancement of recreational trails throughout Manitoba . The grants will assist in making our trails attractive and inclusive destinations for Manitobans and visitors alike , in celebration of the peoples , communities and landscapes that this province has to offer .
These grants are designed to advance the trail system to reap both social and economic benefits to Manitobans . The projects funded through these grants will also focus on enhancing the environmental perspective of trail users through intentionally directed educational experiences devoted to the responsible use and conservation of natural resources . Through these grants , Trails Manitoba is dedicated to the use of trails by all people to improve their physical , psychological , and social well-being .
This investment will enable our associations , municipalities , and the people dedicated to the stewardship of recreational trails to foster a trail system that will be enjoyed now , and by future generations to come .
Trails Manitoba Board of Directors
Annual Report-2020 Year in Review 7