Milestones 1994-2002

Our goal is to link traditional walking paths from Topsail to Trepassey.

The East Coast Trail Association

1994

• Enthusiasts discuss re-opening and preserving the traditional trails that link communities along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula.
• Eighty volunteers opened 25 kilometers of trail.

1995

• The ECTA was incorporated and the first Annual General Meeting was held in Torbay.
• Volunteers organized and took part in bi-weekly trail clearing parties.
• A 3-ton rock blocking the Spout is removed with generous support from the community. Almost immediately, the Spout (a sea-driven geyser) becomes a popular hiking and boat tour destination, north of Bay Bulls and south of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove.
• The first website was launched and the first newsletter was published.

1996

• A program of 17 recreational hikes was launched.
• Our volunteer hours doubled: 230 volunteers open and upgrade 85 km of trail.
• The D'lberville Trail was launched in cooperation with College of the North Atlantic students.
• Channel 9 launches 'Take-a-Hike', a 6 episode TV series about hiking hosted by ECTA members.

1997

• Thanks to HRDC and ACOA, the ECTA is granted funds to develop the Trail from St. John's to Cappahayden (220 km) and increase tourism potential along the coastal pathway.
• Queen's River Bridge on the Spout Path is competed. This 20 ft wooden bridge is the first of five major bridges.
• Office space for the ECTA is donated.

1998

• The volunteer Custodian Program was established ensuring trail condition monitoring and maintenance of the trail.

1999

• Trails are cut between Bear Cove Point lighthouse and Renews and also from Aquaforte to Lawlors Bay.
• Our coastal walking and hiking path attracts the national and international media.

2000

• 50 m suspension bridge at LaManche officially opened on June 17. Former residents of LaManche Village join in the celebration and cut the ribbon.

2001

• Official Opening of the 220 km of The East Coast Trail. More than 5,000 celebrate!
• Our first guidebook, Hiking the East Coast Trail: Fort Amherst to Petty Harbour Maddox Cove, Vol. 1 is published and sales are brisk. Four more volumes are planned.

2002

• More than 400 hikers rally for the 4th Annual ECT-Tely Challenge fundraising event.
• Color, waterproof maps are produced and available for sale at various business outlets.
• Almost 1000 hikers take part in the ECTA's volunteer led recreational hiking program.
• The ECTA launches Protect & Maintain. It is now the responsibility of the ECTA to take care of the developed East Coast Trail.
• Attractions Canada named the East Coast Trail the Best New Outdoor Site and Best New Attraction for 2002 in Newfoundland and Labrador.