|
|
The Honourable Jim Bradley
Minister of Tourism and Recreation
Province of Ontario
900 Bay Street, 9th Floor
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2E1
Dear Sir:
Congratulations on your recent re-election as a member of Provincial Parliament and your appointment as Minister of Tourism and Recreation. As you know, included within your constituency is the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway. The purpose of this letter is to update you on the progress and status of the Trail. The Trail is a popular provincial recreation and tourism asset and amenity that covers the entire Canadian shores of Lake Ontario – given this fact, we are hoping under your leadership to develop stronger ties and working relationships with you and your Ministry staff.
Our organization, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a not for profit charity whose goal is to work cooperatively with the Lake Ontario waterfront communities, municipalities and conservation authorities to complete, market and promote the Trail and Greenway.
The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail passes through all 35 of Ontario’s Lake Ontario waterfront communities, right from Niagara on the Lake to Brockville. The 740 km Trail is a unique experiment in urban and natural regeneration that has captured the public’s enthusiasm and support. Our recent survey confirms the public’s strong desire (95%) for the completion of the Trail, as well as their high ratings for existing amenities and quality of experience. The survey also provides evidence of the significant increase in the use of the Trail, both by local residents as well as visitors from outside the community. The Trail is easily accessible to over 59% of Ontario’s population and 22% of the national population. With 5 border crossings into the United States, the Trail will play a key role in attracting visitors from the United States and abroad.
One of our current major initiatives is the coordination of a $32M public infrastructure investment on the Trail and Greenway. The federal (COIP) and provincial (SuperBuild) governments are contributing $9.2M, which will lever an additional $23M from waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups and private donors. In fact, CIBC is a founding partner of the Waterfront Trail – they have donated more than $1 million since 1996 towards trail completion, marketing and promotion. The most recent public and private sector money will fund 51 projects along 740 km Trail. The investment will result in l25 kms of new trail and trail connections; 6 major waterfront promenades; 2 bridges; improvement to over 20 waterfront parks; 5 new cultural heritage facilities; interpretation of over 20 waterfront habitats; 4 major brownfield rehabilitation projects; 6 significant waterfront habitat restoration projects and 3 harbour/marina revitalization projects. In your area, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines, Lakeshore will be undertaking site improvements at Charles Ansell Gateway Park.
In conjunction with improving the Trail and waterfront regeneration, we are also actively marketing and promoting the Trail as a place for recreation, fitness, calm and retreat, nostalgia, and nature. The secret of the Trail ‘is out of the bag’ and our role now is to increase awareness and provide Trail users and potential users with information and assurances of a quality experience.
Please feel free to pass on to your constituents information regarding this incredible provincial public amenity that is part of their community. You are also invited to explore the Trail and Greenway with your family and friends. A copy of our Mapbook is enclosed. This Mapbook provides the Trail alignment from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Quinte West (Trenton). We are in the process of updating the mapping to reflect the recent realignments as well as include the section from Quinte West to Brockville. We expect to have the most current route alignment and community amenity information on our website by late spring.
The Provincial government has been a key partner in the success of the Trail. Right from the days of the Royal Commission on the Future of the Toronto Waterfront to the most recent SuperBuild grant, the Province has been a supporter and contributor to the work of the Trust and the Trail. As you know, this support is extremely important to gaining and keeping local investment and interest in the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway.
Once again, congratulations on your re-election and appointment as Minister of Tourism and Recreation. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your provincial colleagues and Ministry staff to complete and enhance the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway. Collectively we can make Ontario’s lake great!
Best Wishes,
Vicki Barron, CGA
Executive Director
|
 |