Community Consultation
The Great Coastal Trail Authority is now scheduling council and community consultations across the Great Northern Peninsula to gather local input, ideas, and stories that will help shape the design, development, and long-term vision of the Great Coastal Trail.
Consultation Process
The Great Coastal Trail Authority is now scheduling council and community consultations across the Great Northern Peninsula to gather local input, ideas, and stories that will help shape the design, development, and long-term vision of the Great Coastal Trail.
Each consultation will result in a short Community Summary Report capturing local priorities, feedback, and next steps. These reports will help guide design, funding, and partnerships as we move toward building the Great Coastal Trail, together.
Why Your Voice Matters
The GCTA is committed to community-led development — meaning the trail will not be designed for communities, but with them. Your ideas and vision for how the trail could benefit your town. Your insights will directly influence:
Trail routes and access points
Interpretive themes and signage
Tourism and business opportunities
Environmental priorities
Long-term sustainability and ownership
What to expect at the session
Project overview presentation
A short, engaging introduction to the Great Coastal Trail — its vision, regional importance, and the progress to date.Community mapping exercise
Participants will help identify key areas of interest — heritage sites, natural attractions, local businesses, and possible trail routes.Interactive discussion
Small-group conversations around topics like tourism potential, environmental protection, youth engagement, and local enterprise opportunities.Storytelling and heritage collection
Residents will be invited to share personal stories, photos, or cultural knowledge that could help shape the trail’s interpretation and identity.Next steps and local roles
Discussion of how the municipality and residents can stay involved — from stewardship and micro-enterprise to volunteer opportunities.
What to bring
Local knowledge
maps
photos
stories
landmarks
Come as you are, with an open mind and collaborative spirit.
Partnerships
Great Northern Trail Association
(GNT)
Main Brook Research & Development
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
(TCAR)
Town of Bird Cove
Town of Main Brook
Town of Port au Choix
Town of Port Saunders
Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm
White Bay Central Development Association (WBCDA)
Black Duck Cove
Blue Cove
Barr’d Harbour
Bartletts Harbour
Brig Bay
Castor River North
Castor River South
Eddies Cove West
Forresters Point
New Ferrolle
Pigeon Cove
Plum Point
Pond Cove
Reef’s Harbour
Shoal Cove
Pigeon Cove
St. Barbe Development Association
(SBDA)
Town of Conche
Town of Englee
Town of Hawke’s Bay
Town of River of Ponds
Trailhead Development Corporation
(TDC)
Tri-Towns Regional Council
Membership
Go Western
Great Northern Chamber
of Commerce
Hospitality NL
Trans Canada Trails
(TCT)
World Trails Network
Collaborators
College of the North Atlantic
(CNA)
Hólar University
(Iceland)
Trans Canada Trails
(TCT)
West Coast Cycling Association
(WCCA)
Wales Coast Path
(WCP)
Træna 365
Funders
Canada Summer Jobs
Jobs, Growth and Rural Development
(JGRD)
International Grenfell Association
Trans Canada Trails
(TCT)