Trail blazers
Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association wins top trail group award
The Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association has won the trail group of the year award from the Nova Scotia Trails Federation.
“We’re thankful to the Nova Scotia Trails Federation for the honour of being given this award,” said Emile Roach of the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association. “We appreciate this recognition for our volunteer board members and the many volunteers who help to maintain our trails and insure the vibrancy of this important community asset.”
Vanda Jackson, chief executive officer of Nova Scotia Trails Federation, attributed hard work from volunteers like those in the Coxheath group for trail development in this province.
“Trails in communities throughout our province simply wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers and trail partners,” said Jackson. “We are thrilled to celebrate and recognize this year’s winners for their exceptional work and dedication to trails in Nova Scotia.”
The Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association was founded in 2006 with the goal of enhancing the understanding of nature through wilderness experiences.
While they look after the trails near the intersection of Blacketts Lake Road and Coxheath Road throughout the year, they have also sponsored a variety of events including a dessert social, a spring cleanup and the annual Hike the Coxheath Colours and Ceilidh which will take place this year on Oct. 13 for the 12th year. This free event features a hike featuring musicians, naturalists and storytellers and a ceilidh afterwards. There’s even a taxi service available for those hikers who may need to take an easier route to or from the top of the hill.
Other winners of awards this year include:
• Wilson Cameron of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail who was this year’s recipient of the White Hill Summit award for outstanding lifetime contribution to recreational trail development
• Kentville Parks and Recreation received the champion for youth award for its promotion of youth participation on their trails
• Tom Rogers of the Lahave River Trail Association received the trail booster of the year award for his promotion of trails and trail activities and
• Fran Wyman of the Pictou Country Trails Association received the trail builder of the year award for a volunteer recognized for their outstanding contribution to trail building in Nova Scotia.