Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

April 2004

In this issue:

• Raising the Trail’s Political Profile
• Website Progress Update
• Join us on the Greater Niagara Circle Route
• The Natural City Symposium Conference
• Upcoming Events with the Toronto Bay Initiative

Attachments:
Letters to MPPs.doc
2004 Waterfront Trail Tour.doc

Raising the Trail’s Political Profile

Earlier this year the Trust sent out letters to newly elected MPPs to congratulate them on their recent election. The Trust also used this opportunity to inform them of the Trail and its importance as a community asset and tourism potential. These letters are important because they help to maintain the political profile of the Trail and enable us to keep in touch with the ridings along Lake Ontario’s waterfront. We received such a positive response from some of the Ministers that we thought we would provide you with the following excerpts from their letters.

Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of the Environment:
“As Minister of the Environment, I am supportive of the work the WRT is carrying out with the assistance of public and private partnerships on the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. I recognize the importance of the work being achieved by groups like yours in preserving and promoting areas for recreational and tourism uses”.

Jim Bradley, Minister of Tourism and Recreation:
“The Ministry of Tourism and Recreation is committed to increasing opportunities for physical activity, and we recognize that trails provide these opportunities in communities throughout the province. In addition, I am encouraged to hear that your survey reveals an increase in use by both local residents and visitors, and that there is great public support for recreational trails. Creating diverse partnerships is key to contemporary facility development, and you have described a well planned, well thought out team of supporters and allies”.

John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs:
“The work done so far by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust on the 740km Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail is impressive…The Waterfront Trail and Greenway are valued by the province, in that they encourage the development and maintenance of strong waterfront communities with vibrant recreational amenities…the Waterfront Trail Mapbook is an excellent promotional vehicle for the Trail and Greenway”.

Dalton McGuinty, Premier:
“The proposed Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway has the potential to be an important contributor to our tourism industry. Not only does it showcase the natural beauty of Lake Ontario, it also forms important links between the many vibrant lakeshore communities. I commend the Waterfront Regeneration Trust for the great work it is doing to promote this innovative and unique recreational product”.

The Trust has also sent out letters to Durham Region Mayors and will follow up with letters to all other waterfront Mayors. To view a copy of the letter please open the attachment “Letters to MPPs.doc”

Website Progress Update

The Trust is excited about Phase 1 of our website redesign. Watermark Design has created a sophisticated new look for the site and MapArt is implementing the layout. A special feature of the new site will be the 100 online webmaps of the Trail that MapArt is creating for visitors to download and print off. These maps will also be linked to the community profiles for each waterfront municipality. The anticipated launch of Phase 1 will be in early June. Stay tuned for future updates.

Join Us on the Greater Niagara Circle Route

Over the May long weekend the Trust invites you to join us on our third annual cycling tour. This year’s trip will explore one of the amazing connections to the Waterfront Trail of the Greater Niagara Circle Route. We will be riding approximately 150 kms over 3 days (Saturday, Sunday and Monday). Everyone is welcome although we request that people make their own arrangements (ie. travel, accommodation and food). If you are interested in attending please let us know so that we can expect to meet you at the starting point!

For more details of our itinerary view the attachment, “2004 Waterfront Trail Tour.doc”.

The Natural City Symposium

The Division of the Environment, Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto, and the World Society for Ekistics is hosting the Natural City Symposium, June 23-25, 2004, at the University of Toronto. The conference aims to rethink how urban and natural environments must be integrated in order to promote sustainability. Speakers from Cuba, Berlin, the United States, Amsterdam and India will be making presentations on emerging trends in their countries. David Crombie, a Trust Board Member, will be featured as one of the keynote lecturers. Vicki Barron of the Trust will also be speaking about the success of the Waterfront Trail in connecting Lake Ontario’s waterfront communities and highlighting the achievements of our waterfront partners to this international forum.

Details and registration information are available at: http://www.utoronto.ca/divenv/NaturalCity or call (416) 978-3475 or (416) 978-7077; email natural.city@utoronto.ca.

Upcoming Events with the Toronto Bay Initiative

Join the City of Toronto Forestry Department to "Plant Trees Across Toronto." Coronation Park is the site for this planting and it is located near Strachan Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd. You can enter the Park at Remembrance Drive, park along the park road and meet at the eastern-most baseball diamond. This event runs rain or shine so come dressed for the weather. All planting equipment and materials are provided. Call 416-392-5323 for more information. Free

On Saturday May 8th join TBI as they launch their first guided walk as part of Heritage Toronto’s Walk Historic Paths program. You’ll explore the natural heritage (past, present and future) of the Central Waterfront. Meet at Little Norway Park adjacent to the Harbourfront Community Centre (Queen’s Quay West and Bathurst Street) at 1:30 pm. Donations welcome.

Happy Spring!
Vicki Barron, Executive Director;
Marlaine Koehler, Program Director;
and Nikki Rendle, Editor Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust
372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1X6
Tel: 416-943-8080
Fax: 416-943-8068
Email: nr@wrtrust.com
www.waterfronttrail.org

Purchase your copy of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail Mapbook at Mountain Equipment Co-op (400 King Street West) and Sporting Life Stores in Toronto (1-877-772-2262 to find a store location near you).

Thank You to our Supporters!:

• CIBC
• The Lake Ontario waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups
• The Eastern Lake Ontario­St.Lawrence Waterfront Working Group
• MapArt
• Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club
• Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee
• St. Lawrence Cement Tilley Endurables
• The Trust would also like to thank the Canadian Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) for its generous support of the 51 projects that comprise the Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment Program.