Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

CIBC* COIP*The Lake Ontario waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups*The Eastern Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Waterfront Working Group MapArt* Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee St. Lawrence Cement* Tilley Endurables

April 2007

In this issue:

• Trails Ahead: Celebrating 15 Years of Regeneration and Trail-Making
• Waterfront Trail “Shorezine”
• Waterfront Trail Closures
• Toronto-Niagara Bike Train Schedule and Suggested Itinerary
• Pedestrian bridge over QEW in Hamilton
• Trail Improvements in Grimsby
• World Record Walk
• Lower Donlands Exhibition Launch and Public Forum
• Bruce Trail Association 40 Hikes

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

• Paddle the Don
• Toronto Bay Initiative Calendar of Events
• Technical Tour on the Route Verte

TRAILS AHEAD: CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF REGENERATION AND TRAIL-MAKING

September 19-20th, 2007
Palais Royale, Toronto Ontario

Register Today at http://www.canurb.com/events/register/register1.php?id=185

Fifteen years of trail-making has helped revitalize the waterfront, providing unique opportunities for communities to express their vision, transforming degraded lands into vibrant places. Trails Ahead celebrates 15 years of a great partnership between the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and the waterfront communities and conservation authorities. We will explore 50 remarkable regeneration projects, noting the rich range of physical, ecological and social linkages that have transformed the waterfront experience for so many.

Trails Ahead will also offer international perspectives on global trends in waterfront regeneration, with keynote presentations that will be thought-provoking and inspiring. Joe Berridge of Urban Strategies, Project for Public Spaces and Gil Penalosa of Walk and Bike for Life are three of eight outstanding presenters that have been secured for the program. And while much has been accomplished, we will also turn the spotlight on the challenges ahead with panels and table discussions that focus on how to complete our work.

Day Two of the Conference will give participants a unique opportunity to experience the Trail first-hand. We’ve organized a cycling tour from Mississauga to Pickering for our second day. The 46 km ride will showcase just how far we’ve come on the waterfront. The ride is fully supported, with various pick-up and drop-off points that allow you to ride as little, or as much as you like. Join us for a ride that will inspire, motivate, and impress.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is very pleased to be working with the Canadian Urban Institute on this project.

For more information call the Waterfront Regeneration Trust at 416-943-8080 or email Marlaine Koehler at mk@wrtrust.com.

WATERFRONT TRAIL “SHOREZINE”

In response to high demand from Trail users at the Toronto Bike show, the Waterfront Trail is pleased to announce that a new monthly newsletter is now available. To complement the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News, which is directed primarily towards our municipal and community partners, the Trust has begun releasing the “Shorezine,” which is directed primarily towards trail users. Prepared by the Trust’s Petrina Tulissi and featuring Trail updates and news, Featured Routes, Featured Attractions and Upcoming Events, the Shorezine is a great resource for Trail users and a great way for them to stay up to date on Trail happenings.

The Trust would like to invite our partners to spread the word that the Shorezine is available as a resource for Trail users. Those interested in signing up for the Shorezine can contact Petrina Tulissi at pt@wrtrust.com.

WATERFRONT TRAIL CLOSURES

Please be advised of the following temporary trail closures along the Waterfront Trail due to construction and restoration work:

1. CHERRY BEACH, TORONTO: a section of Waterfront Trail at Cherry Beach (South of Unwin Ave between Cherry Street and Regatta Road) will be closed from April to May 2007. There will be no access to the beach parking lot east of Cherry St and limited access to the waterfront the Trail.

The closure is due to environmental restoration work being performed by the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) as part of an overall environmental management strategy for the Port Lands. Visitors to the Port Lands during this time can refer to the alternate trail routes described at www.towaterfront.ca. For more information, please contact Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation at 416-214-1344 or info@towaterfront.ca.

2. DARLINGTON PROVINCIAL PARK, CLARINGTON: The section of Waterfront Trail through Darlington Provincial Park is temporarily closed due to construction at the Oshawa border. The road through the park will be restored with a granular surface May 15. (please note: as of May 25th, 2007 this construction is still underway. Please visit our Clarington profile for updates)

Please note that unfortunately there is no other route through the park. If you plan on riding this section before May 15th, please contact us for alternate route information at 416-943-8080 or info@wrtrust.com.

TORONTO-NIAGARA BIKE TRAIN SCHEDULE AND ITINERARY

A schedule has been announced for this summer’s Toronto-Niagara Bike Train. The Bike Train is an initiative being launched in June 2007 that will introduce bike racks onboard VIA Rail Canada service between Toronto and the Niagara Region. For the price of approx $59 (round trip), passengers can take advantage of this convenient and sustainable way to visit the beautiful and scenic Niagara Region. Arrive by train, tour by bike!
To help you get the most out of your cycling tour of Niagara, the Trust has developed a cycling itinerary. To download the schedule and check out our suggested itinerary, go to http://www.waterfronttrail.org/wnBikeTrain.html.

For more info about the Bike Train or to book your trip, visit www.biketrain.ca.

HAMILTON QEW PEDESTRIAN LINK TO WATERFRONT TRAIL

The City of Hamilton is currently exploring design options for a pedestrian bridge to span the QEW between Burlington Street and Centennial Parkway. The proposed bridge would provide a vital north-south pedestrian link and a safe and accessible connection to the waterfront for Hamilton residents. The bridge will also link the Bruce Trail and the Waterfront Trail through the Red Hill Valley.

The City is currently exploring options for a curving “signature gateway” bridge as opposed to a simple steel span bridge. The Trust’s Vicki Barron supports the more interesting design saying, “It will be an icon, a signature project, a legacy project.”

For more information about the proposed bridge please visit http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/NewsandPublications/NewsReleases/2007News/07-02-04ka.htm.

TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS IN GRIMSBY

On-road cycling lanes will soon be introduced along Lake Street in Grimsby from Ontario Street to the easterly Town Limits. The Town has begun implementing a Traffic Calming Plan along this stretch of roadway. Other key features of the Plan include use of raised crosswalks at key intersections, and use of passive traffic calming measures including gateway treatments and increased signage.

The Plan will address the recommendations of a Traffic Calming Study, which was initiated in 2006 to determine the best way to improve safety, reduce vehicle speeds provide cycling facilities and improve the liveability of the neighbourhood.

For more information please contact Bob LeRoux, Director of Public Works, Town of Grimsby at (905) 945-5010 or BLeRoux@town.grimsby.on.ca.

Thanks to the Town of Grimsby for providing us with this announcement.

WORLD RECORD WALK

The Trust is very excited to share news about the Ontario WORLD RECORD WALK 2007. The WRW is aiming to break the existing Guinness World Record for the largest number of people walking one kilometer simultaneously (current record held by Western Australia with 100,915 Participants – September 2006). What better place to walk than on the Waterfront Trail! The Trust encourages each of our partners to consider planning a walking event as part of this project. Whether large or small, register your group’s or organization’s walk at www.worldrecordwalk.ca.

Anyone can be part of this exciting event: Schools, Clubs, Community Groups, Workplaces, Municipal Governments and Individuals. So please pass on this challenge to join the walkolution to your local clubs and schools.

Wednesday, October 3 is also International Walk to School Day (IWALK). We encourage schools to register for the World Record Walk and make it part of the IWALK celebrations. For activity ideas and resources designed specifically for schools please visit (www.saferoutestoschool.ca).

The World Record Walk is being organized by Green Communities Canada (www.greencommunitiescanada.org) with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion (www.mhp.gov.on.ca).

LOWER DONLANDS EXHIBITION LAUNCH AND PUBLIC FORUM

On April 13th, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) unveiled the final submissions for the Lower Donlands Design Competition. The design competition was launched in February to produce an overall vision for the area that runs from the Parliament Street Slip east to the Don Roadway and from the rail corridor south to Commissioners Street, including the Don Greenway, in the Port Lands.

A public forum was held earlier in the month in which the designs were presented to the TWRC, stakeholders and Torontonians. The winning team will be announced in early-May.

For more information, visit the TWRC’s website at www.towaterfront.ca.

BRUCE TRAIL ASSOCIATION RELEASES “40 YEARS, 40 GREAT HIKES”

The Bruce Trail Association (BTA) is celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of “40 Years, 40 Great Hikes,” a collection of short hikes designed to get new and experienced hikers to explore the Bruce Trail. The hikes, all between 1- 7 km are primarily designed for new hikers and especially families. This is a great way to begin to explore Canada’s oldest and longest footpath and to see the beautiful Niagara Escarpment.

The hikes are available for download from the BTA’s web site at www.brucetrail.org under the “Explore the Trail” tab. Each hike has its own form, containing directions on where to park, a description of the hike, an explanation of how to follow the Trail, and a map of the hike.

The Bruce Trail intersects with the Waterfront Trail in Grimsby at Forty Mile Park (see map 1-8 on our website http://www.waterfronttrail.org/trail.html). To learn more about the Bruce Trail, visit www.brucetrail.org.
Thanks to the BTA for providing us with this announcement.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS:

PADDLE THE DON

Thanks to the TRCA for providing us with the following announcement.
The 14th annual Paddle The Don event is taking place on May 6th. This annual event attracts hundreds of participants each spring and helps TRCA raise money for the regeneration of the Don watershed.

Paddlers and spectators alike are invited to join the TRCA at the Paddle the Don take-out site (located at the northwest corner of Villiers Street and Don Roadway in the Port Lands) on Sunday May 6, 2007 for a post-paddle party and Harbour tour hosted by Banrock Station Winery and the TRCA.

A ceremony with announcements about the revitalization of the Lower Don, as well as the release of the 2006 Don Watershed Progress Report, will begin at 12:30 pm.

For more information, visit www.paddlethedon.ca.

TORONTO BAY INITIATIVE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Toronto Bay Initiative has released its calendar of events for spring and summer 2007. Upcoming events include nature walks, a Toronto Island historical bike tour and boat and canoe tours of the bay, among others.
For more details and to sign up for events, visit http://www.torontobay.net/events.html.


TEHNICAL TOUR ON THE ROUTE VERTE

Thanks to Velo Quebec for providing us with the following announcement:

August 27 to 31, 2007: French-language technical tour
September 10 to 14, 2007: English-language technical tour

Vélo Québec is proud to present its Technical Tour on the Route verte to explore the various faces of the Route verte and learn about some of the technical aspects of its development. This tour is designed for route planners or managers, or anyone interested in learning more about how the Route verte was developed. The 5-day touring workshop offers an opportunity to explore urban greenways in Montreal and Quebec City as well as the fields and forests of the Montérégie, Eastern Townships, Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions. The bicycle outings range from 25 to 50 kilometers per day, to allow for breaks and technical discussions as well as picture-taking and site-seeing opportunities.

For more information, please visit http://www.routeverte.com/rv/ang/facts.lasso?page=sejourtechnique .


Cheers!

Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director;
Vicki Barron, Director of Administration and Special Projects;
Petrina Tulissi, Manager of Promotions and Events;
and David Arcus, Project Coordinator, 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: info@wrtrust.com

Visit http://www.waterfronttrail.org to download 77 online colour maps of the Waterfront Trail, from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Brockville!

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 Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) for its generous support of the 51 projects that comprise the Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment Program.