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Trans Canada Trail (TCT) has awarded Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy $902,983 for access points along the 1,000-kilometre designated TCT Lake Superior Water Trail (LSWT). Working with 14 partners the Conservancy will establish 16 access points between Gros Cap Harbour in Prince Township and Fisherman’s Park in Thunder Bay. These are public places along the shore where water travellers have access to the land at a safe place and where land travellers have access to the lake.

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is funding the Conservancy for a Water Trail Project Coordinator, who will work closely with the community, First Nation and Parks partners to develop the access points along the LSWT. In addition, OTF has provided funding to TCT to assist with the land trails.

“This is a very exciting time for Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy and we are looking forward to working with our partners along the coast to establish the Lake Superior Water Trail link in the Trans Canada Trail,” said President Mary Ellen Szadkowski. She explained that the funding supports the installation of amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, signage kiosks, flags, and in some sites secure kayak storage lockers and universal access docks.

The outdoor recreation and tourism services along the coast will not only diversity the economies of the coastal communities, but will also provide the people of Ontario, Canada and international visitors opportunities to experience the vast beauty of the largest freshwater lake on earth.

People have lived along the shores and travelled the waters of Lake Superior for thousands of years. The TCT LSWT is an opportunity to reconnect local citizens and visiting travellers with Lake Superior and the heritage and history of this ancient water highway.

The LSWT Access Points will be located at Gros Cap Harbour, Batchawana Provincial Park, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Michipicoten Marina, Pukaskwa National Park, Pic River First Nation, Marathon Marina and Carden Cove, Terrace Bay Beach, Schreiber Beach, Rossport-Wardrope Park, Red Rock Marina, Nipigon Marina, Prophry and Number 10 Lighthouses, and Fisherman’s Park. The work on the sites begins this summer and will be completed by fall 2016.

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