Hunter River residents and visitors gathered today to celebrate the official opening of the Dr. Kent G. Ellis Heritage Park.

Named in honour of the late Dr. Kent Ellis, who served the community and the surrounding area for more than 40 years, the park is located adjacent to the Confederation Trail and includes interpretative signs and a gazebo for hosting events. The project has also added an improved pathway to the existing trail that links to the heart of the Hunter River business community. New lighting and benches have also been added along the trail.

“The Government of Canada continues to make investments in infrastructure that keep our rural communities vibrant and strong,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and also on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “Our Government is proud to have invested in this project which creates a new recreational area for the community and gives tourists yet another reason to stop and explore the Hunter River area.”

ACOA contributed $59,867 to the project through its Innovative Communities Fund. Service Canada contributed $50,955 in participant benefits and overhead costs, through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed with the provincial Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning which also provided $50,000. The community supported the project by fundraising more than $20,000.

“This beautiful new park and enhanced trail can create opportunities for economic development, increased tourism and healthy living for both local residents and visitors,” said Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “Congratulations to the municipality and community of Hunter River who worked so hard to make your vision a reality. It’s a wonderful tribute to the memory of Dr. Kent Ellis.”

“The park began as an idea over three years ago, so to see it now complete is overwhelming. We want to thank all those involved in making this happen and invite everyone to come and enjoy it,” says Terry McGrath, chair of the Park Planning Committee.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The official opening of the Dr. Kent Ellis Heritage Park and enhanced Confederation Trail was celebrated today in Hunter River. ACOA, Service Canada, the PEI Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning and the Municipality of Hunter River contributed to the $185,000 project. A new pathway links the Confederation Trail to the heart of the Hunter River business community. The park includes interpretive signs and a gazebo was built to host community events. The community has named the park in honour of the late Dr. Kent Ellis, who served the people of Hunter River and the surrounding area for more than 40 years.

Cindy Roy
AOCA PEI and Tourism
902-566-7569

Stephen Ramsay 
Service Canada
902-566-7686

Kim Devine
PEI Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning
902-620-3774

Zoe Kunschner
Municipality of Hunter River
902-621-2335