NEWFOUNDLAND
(This page last updated 20 September 2004)
The East Coast Trail Association, with funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Human Resources Development Canada, is beginning a study of the economic impact of the East Coast Trail. The study will include a survey of hikers, both visitors and locals, as well as interviews with businesses along the trail that cater to people who hike the trail and other adventure tourism facilities that are also used by hikers. The results of the study, the results of which will be available in the fall of this year, is designed to assist the association as it is poised to double the length of the East Coast Trail, consolidating its place as a keystone adventure tourist attraction for eastern Newfoundland.
Warm fall sunshine filled LaManche Valley in eastern Newfoundland on Sunday October 26th, 2003 as a crowd started to assemble for the dedication of LaManche Bridge. The East Coast Trail Association (ECTA), our easternmost partner, dedicated the bridge to former residents of the re-settled community. A plaque now commemorates the 1966 loss of the community's earlier foot bridge to waves from a massive seastorm in late January of that winter. The modern suspension bridge is an important link in the 220 km East Coast Trail (ECT), which is officially opened for 220 km between St. John's on the northeast Avalon Peninsula, and Cappahayden on the peninsula's southern shore. East Coast Trail Photo by Steven Coulter.