Franco Trail L-A will promote heritage, business in twin cities
Photo / Maureen Milliken
The former railroad bridge over the Androscoggin River, now a pedestrian bridge that connects Payne-Simard Park in Lewiston with Bonney Park in Auburn, will be part of the Franco Trail L-A, a walking tour that highlights sites in the twin cities and is accompanied by a mobile app and interactive map.
An initiative that will not only promote Lewiston-Auburn to tourists and businesses, but eventually link to a four-city New England "trail" of Franco-American heritage, is set to launch.
The two-hour Franco Trail L-A walking tour is a partnership of Museum L-A, Gendron Franco Center, Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Franco-American Collection University of Southern Maine and Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica. The tour focuses on downtown Franco American heritage attractions, but a mobile app and interactive map also include restaurants, shopping, entertainment, parking, activities, landscape features and more.
Paper maps will also be available at city businesses after an official launch Wednesday, May 22.
Franco-American sites highlighted on the tour will include the Little Canada neighborhood of Lewiston, the Bates Mill, Great Falls, and the former railroad bridge that's now a footbridge over the Androscoggin River connecting Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston with Bonney Park in Auburn. It ends at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ash Street.
The tour was developed by a Museum L-A intern from Montreal, Catherine Picard, according to the Lewiston Sun-Journal. Picard designed the route while working with the museum on its portion of the Franco Route of New England, which will connect Woonsocket, R.I., Manchester, N.H., Biddeford and Lewiston-Auburn.
The four cities have some of the deepest Québécois roots in the country after an influx of immigrants in the 19th century from Canada, who came to work in New England's mills and shoe shops, and the communities plan to share resources and information for residents and visitors to enjoy, including planned bus trips from Canada. The plan originated at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, R.I., the Valley Breeze in Woonsocket reported last year.
The route will promote the four New England cities, including the creation of a passport and promotional materials that will list attractions in the four cities and offer discounts to travelers, the Valley Breeze reported.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments