An Award-Winning Integrated Walkway Network in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Voisey’s Brook Park Trails
Voisey's Brook Park is found off Indian Meal Line in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's. This large 48-acre park contains a variety of recreational facilities, including a dog park, skate park, playground, hard-surface court, baseball field, soccer fields, as well as an extensive network of conservation trails. In 2017, the Grand Concourse completed an additional trail connection to Jera Street, bringing the total trail distance within the park to 4.2 kilometres (2.6 mi).
You can download a map of the park below:
Manuels River Trail
In 2016, the Grand Concourse welcomed Manuels River Natural Heritage Society as a new member. Manuels River Trail is a scenic route along one of the oldest river systems in North America. This world-class geological treasure is a welcome addition to the Grand Concourse network.
We have been working closely with MRNHS to make improvements to the trail system and establish connections to Main Street, the CBS T'Railway, and the Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre. The Main Street entrance was developed in fall 2016, with a new parking area, granite steps, and lookout. Upgrades to improve the surface and accessibility of the Manuels River Trail are now underway.
Concourse Trail Custodian Update
Our Concourse Trail Custodian program was officially launched on July 24 through our website and social media. Board Chair, Mr. Ron Penney, attended the St. John's City Council meeting on July 25 to announce the volunteer program and release of our mobile app. The goal of the program was to get a least one person matched with each trail section. Volunteers aided maintenance crews by placing litter in garbage bins and reporting issues like tripping hazards or vandalism. Our trail network has spread nearly 200 kms throughout 8 municipalities, which is a large area for our crews to cover so even small collective efforts can go a long way for keeping trails clean. Studies also show that visible efforts to clean or pick up litter resonate with people and discourage others from littering. In this way, we've encouraged citizens to become community leaders and set an example for others.
The program had a great response during the 2017 season. In total, 76 volunteers officially signed up to 'adopt' trail sections throughout St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, and Conception Bay South. Many more have contacted us with words of support or praise. We were able to quickly respond to trail washouts after the heavy rainfall in September thanks to the reports sent in by volunteers. We've had several successful corporate cleanups and a number of messages and calls about the improved quality of the trails this summer. With help from awesome people like Rayanna Etheridge (age 7) in CBS we are able to help keep our communities clean and safe. We're deeply grateful for all of your support.
While the official sign-up period for the 2017 season is over, we encourage volunteers to continue on their regular routines as their time and weather permits. Check back for information about fall and winter activities.