Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

July 2004

In this issue:

• Greater Niagara Circle Tour
• Cycling Courses Offered by the City of Toronto
• Cycle With the Toronto Bike Network
• Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park Opens
• The Green Tourism Association Launches Map
• New Land for Rouge Park
• Canada Marine Discovery Centre Opens
• Hamilton Marina Recognized
• Upcoming Events:
  • Second Marsh Bike Rally, Sunday August 22nd

Greater Niagara Circle Tour

This past weekend the Waterfront Trust along with Toronto Star reporter Kate Harries and some of our end to enders enjoyed a wonderful ride along the beautiful Greater Niagara Circle Route. Our tour guides over the three days were: Ken Forgeron from the Region of Niagara and Peter Warwick, a cycling advocate, Regional Councillor Bruce Timms and George Nicholson from the Region of Niagara. The 180km route over the three days took us through gorgeous scenery of the Niagara River, Lake Erie and the Welland Canal.

The Greater Niagara Circle Route comprises four trail systems, the Waterfront Trail from St. Catharines to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara River Recreation Trail, the Friendship Trail in Fort Erie and the Welland Canal Recreation Trail. As part of our application to the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, the Trust partnered with the Region of Niagara, Fort Erie and Port Colborne, to fund several projects to help complete the Trail system. By next year, the final gap through Thorold will be completed—though the route is navigable now!

Thanks to everyone who joined us.

For more information on the Greater Niagara Circle Route go to: http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/exploring/cycle/Cycling-Niagara-Off-Road-Routes.aspx and stay tuned to our website ­where we will post our itinerary and photos from the weekend.

Cycling Courses Offered by the City of Toronto

Nikki Rendle from the Trust office recently completed the CAN-BIKE 2 course offered by Toronto Parks and Recreation. The course teaches students defensive cycling techniques for commuting and recreational cycling. The program includes classroom sessions, bike handling skills on paved lots and riding in all traffic conditions. Nikki enjoyed the course, finding it increased her confidence when cycling and her knowledge of cyclist rights and traffic regulations. She recommends all cyclists to take the course. Parks and Recreation also offers a number of other cycling courses from learning to ride to bicycle maintenance.

For more information go to: www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike/index.htm

Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park Opens

At 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 13th the City of Pickering officially opened Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park. Present at the opening was Mayor Ryan along with representatives from City Council. Progress Park is the latest of several major improvements to Pickering’s waterfront during the past ten years. In addition to the recreational amenities, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority has been working with the community to improve the ecological function of the Bay by restoring fish habitat and installing a wetland in the park. Financing for the construction of the park was made possible by the Canadian Progress Club ­ Durham South, Robert MacKay, the Harbour Master in Oakville, as well as the Pickering Rod & Gun Club and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

For more information about the park contact Jody Morris at (905) 683-2760 ext. 2064

The Green Tourism Association Launches Web Map

On Thursday June 10th at the Mill Street Brewery in the Distillery District the Green Tourism Association hosted a public launch of their new “green” web map. The Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Tourism and Recreation and Brian Jamieson, President of the Green Tourism Association were on hand to help celebrate the launch. Nikki Rendle from the Trust’s office attended as a representative for the Trust. The interactive online map tool will allow visitors and residents to search and map out green tourism options and activities to include in their trips to the city - from local heritage and restaurants to access points to the Waterfront Trail.

For more information go to: www.greentourism.ca.

Bike Rides With the Toronto Bike Network

The Toronto Bike Network (TBN) is a nonprofit organization committed to encouraging, conducting and promoting recreational activities, and education and information programs as well as protecting the rights of recreational cyclists and cross-country skiers. The TBN organizes group rides in and around the Greater Toronto Area. The rides are classified by skill level from Easy Roller and Leisure Wheeler (traveling 20-60km at speeds of 15-25km/hr) to more advanced ride groups like the Tourist Sportif (ride 50-110km averaging 20-25km/hour). The rides are free for members and $5 for non-members. They also host a series of monthly information nights on a range of cycling issues such as defensive riding and basic bike maintenance

For more information on the TBN and about becoming a member go to: www.tbn.ca

New Land for Rouge Park

Established in 1995, the goal of the Rouge Park organization was to preserve the Rouge River valley area. This past April the Honourable David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that the Province of Ontario would be donating approximately 1400 hectares of land to the Rouge Park. Already one of the largest natural environment parks in urban-based North America, approximately 660 hectares of the donated land are located next to the Little Rouge River in York, with the remainder of land in Toronto and Pickering. The donated land includes areas previously holding several historic homes, such as the 300 year old Seneca village, and many farmsteads. Future aims of the Rouge Park organization are to construct a network of hiking trails that would link trail systems such as the Oak Ridges Trail and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail.

For more information go to: www.rougepark.com

Canada Marine Discovery Centre Opens

On Saturday July 17th the Canada Marine Discovery Centre in Hamilton was officially opened. Located on Pier 8, the objective of the centre is to educate through the use of interactive activities. Designed in order to bring Canada’s marine heritage to an urban audience, the centre is geared towards youth in grades 6 through 8. In addition to being an educational highlight on the waterfront, the centre also practices a number of energy saving technologies, such as geothermal heating, as well as highlights the role and importance of the Great Lakes. Admission is free for the summer.

For more information regarding the Canada Marine Discovery Centre, please phone: 905-319-6993.

Hamilton Marina Recognized

In the latest addition of the Bay Area Restoration Council newsletter an article announced that LaSalle Park Marina Association manager John Hanson was recently honoured with the Clean Marine Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program highest standing in its program. The Ontario Marine Operators Association (OMOA) in collaboration with over twenty marine industry professionals and boater and angler associations formed the Clean Marine Partnership to develop a environmental best practices program for the marine industry through the Eco-Leaf Program. The Hamilton marina is the first of 160 marinas and yacht clubs to attain the full Five Green Leaf Anchors in the program. When assessing a marina, the Clean Marine Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program takes into account a variety of variables including the different areas of operation, a professional audit of the marina along with the use of environmentally sound practices and actions to protect the waterways. Congratulations LaSalle Park Marina Association.

For more information on the Clean Marine Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program go to www.omoa.com

Upcoming Events:

Second Marsh Bike Rally

Sunday August 22, 8:30am to 1:30pm
Come out and support the Friends of Second Marsh in this fun event to raise money for the Great Lakes Wetlands Interpretive Centre to be constructed adjacent to Second Marsh. The starting point will be GM Headquarters Building (East Parking Lot) and the route will follow the Waterfront Trail though Darlington Provincial Park and the OPG Green Corridor. There will be lots of entertainment on site including a crafts table, face painting, DJ, break dancing and candy floss.

For more information on the event or on how to receive a pledge form contact Marilyn Cole at 905-723-5459.

Cheers!
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 Ontario ­ St. Lawrence River 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.