About Grand Falls-Windsor

The area now known as Grand Falls-Windsor was first settled in 1905 when representatives of the London Daily Mail established the site for Newfoundland’s first pulp and paper mill. Under the leadership of the Harmsworth brothers, the Anglo-Newfoundland Development (A.N.D.) Company attracted workers from all over the colony, the mainland of North America and Europe. For many Newfoundlanders this event marked one of the first times cash had been tendered on a regular basis in return for labour

The former towns of Grand Falls and Windsor amalgamated in 1991, and formed the new community of Grand Falls-Windsor. Grand Falls-Windsor is the largest town in the area with a population of almost 15,000. Located 456 km west of St. John’s and 272 km east of Corner Brook.

Rich in Entertainment…

The Town’s major event for the year is the Exploits Valley Salmon Festival, held each July over a five-day period. Some of the world’s top musical acts entertain here including the Tragically Hip, the Eagles, Kiss, Bryan Adams, and Nellie Furtado, and the festival has been chosen as one the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association. In addition, Grand Falls-Windsor has been host to several other major concerts that included the Beach Boys in 1988 and Bon Jovi in 1995.

Rich in Things to Do…

• The Mary March Regional Museum is located on St. Catherine Street. The museum is named in honour of one of the last of the Beothuks and traces the 5,000-year human history of central Newfoundland through a range of exhibits. There are also exhibits on the complex history and traditions of other native peoples who lived in the region and trace the development of the later European settlement
• No visit to Grand Falls-Windsor would be complete without a trip to the Salmonid Interpretation Centre, located near the banks of the Exploits River. This is one of the largest Atlantic Salmon Enhancement projects in North America. Here you can view migrating salmon from the observation windows in the lower deck. As well, enjoy a hot meal at the on-site restaurant or visit their gift shop. This facility is wheel-chair accessible.
• The community also has one of the finest recreational facilities in the province in the Exploits YMCA. The “Y” is equipped with a swimming pool, gymnasium, weight room, squash courts, aerobics equipment, and day care centre, and is attached to the Windsor Stadium.

Rich in Natural Attractions…

• The Exploits River, the province’s largest river, sees over 25,000 salmon migrate through it each year. This river is a salmon fisherman’s dream comes true. It boasts some of the best salmon fishing in Atlantic Canada

A Bounty of Parks and Walking Trails     

• The Corduroy Brook Nature Trail offers a sense of serenity and an attractive setting suitable for all ages and abilities. This nature trail takes participants on a scenic journey along Corduroy Brook. It is nature’s beauty at its best.
• Church Road Park is one of the jewels of the town. A former baseball field, it was converted to a beautiful walking park in the early 1970s and is a focal point for locals and visitors alike. Just off Sanger Memorial RV Park, take a peaceful stroll along the Exploits River. This walking trail will take your breath away with it natural beauty.
• Beothuk Park boasts a fascinating exhibit recreates the history of early logging in Newfoundland. Visitors can walk through a logging camp and see exhibits that date back to the 1700s. The highway through this beautiful valley follows the Exploits River, which was the main access to the sea for Beothuk bands that travelled far into Notre Dame Bay by canoe to hunt seabirds and fish.

URL : www.grandfallswindsor.com