Waterfront Trail - Along the Canadian Shores of Lake Ontario

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Waterfront Trail and Greenway News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

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

March 2008

In this Issue:

  • GWTA Tour Launched at Toronto Bike Show
  • New Waterfront Trail Webmaps and Mapbooks Now Available
  • Hamilton Recieves Funding For Bridge over QEW
  • Trust releases funds to TRCA for Waterfront Trail in Port Union
  • John Mackie: Waterfront Trail Says Farewell to a Champion
  • Take the Bike Train, Bring Your Bike
  • Scarborough Resident wins Shoreline Cleanup Award

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

  • East Point Park Shoreline Cleanup
  • 3rd Annual Green Living Fair
  • Apple Blossom Tyme Festival
  • Roseneath Spring Festival

GWTA TOUR LAUNCHED AT TORONTO BIKE SHOW

On March 7-9 the Trust officially launched the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Tour at the Toronto Bike Show – and the response was huge. From noon on Friday to Sunday evening, despite a severe winter storm, we were kept busy with a constant flow of people at our booth. People were overwhelmingly excited about the idea and many told us they were blown away by the low price point. Over the weekend we spoke to hundreds of people and distributed over 2,000 post card size brochures.

The hard work was worth it – after the Bike Show, we saw a boost in registration which we anticipate will continue to grow as our promotional campaign moves forward. Word continues to spread and we’re receiving registrations from across the country and even the US.

By mid-April, Petrina, Manager of Promotions and Events for the Trust, will have distributed 150,000 postcards to schools, tourism and sporting groups across the province and beyond. To obtain postcards for your organization, please contact Petrina at pt@wrtrust.com.

As always, we came equipped with a survey to gather some statistics from the Bike Show crowds. This year, we focused on cycling tourism and the GWTA Tour in particular.

Here are some highlights from the Bike Show poll (88 respondents):

  • 98% of respondents agree that exploring the Trail would make an excellent summer activity them and their family or friends (53%-Strongly Agree 45%–Agree).
  • 99% of respondents agree that events like the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure help create a new culture that celebrates active living, healthy environments and community (56%-Strongly Agree 43%-Agree)
  • When asked what appeals to them about the Tour, the top 5 answers checked by respondents were

    • 1. It’s on the waterfront (67%)
    2. It’s supported (59%)
    3. I’m supporting the completion of the Waterfront Trail (56%)
    4. All the planning is done for me (54%)
    5. Introduce me to new people (41%)

  • 95% of respondents agree that closing the gaps in the Waterfront Trail is important (65%-Strongly Agree 30%-Agree)
  • 53% of respondents have previously been on a cycling trip/tour
  • The top reasons for using the Waterfront Trail are:

    1. For relaxation and recreation (48%)
    2. For fitness (42%)
    3. Not at all (21.5%)
    4. To commute (9%)

For complete survey results, please email David Arcus at da@wrtrust.com.


NEW WATERFRONT TRAIL WEBMAPS AND MAPBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE

Thanks to all of the partners who provided us with updates for the Waterfront Trail maps. Because of you, we were able to pull of a record turnaround and have the updates ready in time for the Bike Show (special thanks to DunMap for their swift work!).

The new webmaps have now been posted on our website on the maps page. If you have any more changes please feel free to send them to us - we'll keep them on file and incorporate them into the next round of updates.


HAMILTON RECEIVES FUNDING FOR BRIDGE OVER QEW

On March 28th, the Ontario government announced that Hamilton will receive $14 million in funding to create a Recreational Trail Hub and Waterfront Link, which will include a signature pedestrian bridge across the QEW.

The QEW is currently a major barrier for pedestrians and cyclists who wish to access the Waterfront Trail. The Trail and Waterfront Link will increase public access to the waterfront, create more opportunities for recreation and leisure, foster tourism, restore natural habitat and ultimately enhance the image of Hamilton.

The project involves:

  • A trail to the waterfront
  • Waterfront link (pedestrian bridge)
  • Recreational Trail Hub, outdoor recreational facilities (soccer fields, picnic areas, etc.) and Trail Connection to the Red Hill Valley trail system
  • Ecological Restoration - rehabilitation plantings in the former landfill sites at Rennie and Brampton Street sites adjacent to the trail and waterfront link
  • Interpretive signage

Design and tender drawings are expected to be completed by Fall 2008 and construction is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2010.

Thanks to Steve from the City of Hamilton for providing us with this announcement.


TRUST RELEASES FUNDS TO TRCA FOR WATERFRONT TRAIL IN PORT UNION

With construction complete on Phase I of Port Union Waterfront Park in Scarborough, the Trust is pleased to announce that funds earmarked for trail construction in Port Union have now been released to the TRCA. These funds were originally donated by Brookfield Homes in 1996. The work took many years to complete but the result is a spectacular water’s edge trail from Port Union to Highland Creek. Work is currently underway by the TRCA and Waterfront Toronto to continue this trail eastward into Pickering.

Bookfield Homes is the developer that built much of the community and neighbourhood in the area surrounding the park. They have partnered with the Trust on several projects in the past and are currently working on a new residential development in the Port Whitby area.


JOHN MACKIE: WATERFRONT TRAIL SAYS FAREWELL TO A CHAMPION
By: Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust

We are very sad to report the passing of John Mackie of Cobourg. John was an intrepid and persistent Waterfront Trail champion. I first met John about 10 years ago. He took Suzanne Barrett and I on an extreme hike through some of the most untamed waterfront I’ve had the pleasure to see. John was introducing us to the possibility of a water’s edge route between Cobourg and Port Hope. He never eased up on this vision, holding on to the notion that as long as the idea had a voice (he supplied a strong one), the dream could prevail. Nor was he alone in this conviction. The Port Hope-Cobourg Waterfront Trail committee is committed to achieving an off-road connection between the towns.

We count John Mackie as one of the finest trailblazers that blessed the Waterfront Trail and Greenway. We’ll miss his spirit and drive. John requested that donations honouring his memory go to support the Waterfront Trail.


TAKE THE BIKE TRAIN, BRING YOUR BIKE

The Bike Train Initiative was launched in summer 2007 and introduced bike racks onboard select VIA Rail departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Building on the success of the pilot year, the Bike Train service schedule and promotional plans have been expanded for 2008. For more information visit www.biketrain.ca.

***Take the Bike Train to Niagara to start of the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Tour! For more information visit www.waterfronttrail.org ***


SCARBOROUGH RESIDENT WINS SHORELINE CLEANUP AWARD

Year after year, tens of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast band together to clean up rivers, lakes, streams and ocean shorelines in their communities, and help restore the health and beauty of our shoreline ecosystems. Last year, Scarborough resident Gisela Bach received the Site Coordinator Award of Achievement for her work along Scarborough’s waterfront during the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

The TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a conservation initiative created and run by the Vancouver Aquarium, and takes place the third week of every September. For the past four years, Gisela has helped coordinate the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up in Guildwood Park and the surrounding area, inviting community groups, local residents and students to take part in the event.

“The Scarborough Bluffs are an ecological treasure, and I am confident that the shoreline community treats these landscapes with the care and respect they deserve,” said Gisela. “Let's all pitch in to keep the bluffs and shoreline clean and pristine, please!”
Gisela is active in her community year round, encouraging neighbours to take responsibility for litter and maintaining a number of blogs devoted to the Guildwood neighbourhood in Toronto where she resides. You can read her blogs at http://guildwood.blogspot.com, http://guildwoodgardens.blogspot.com and http://abandonedshoppingcarts.blogspot.com/.

Congratulations Gisela on the well-deserved award!

If you would like to take part in the event this year, contact Gisela – ghbach@rogers.com. Date: April 19th,2008. See below for more details.


UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS:

EAST POINT PARK SHORELINE CLEANUP

When: Saturday April 19, 2008, 9am-3pm
Where: East Point Park in Scarborough

Help clean up the East Point Park shoreline of Lake Ontario, and be an integral part in making out city a greener and safer place to live. Bring a friend! Volunteers age 14+ preferred. Gloves and bags will be provided, along with free snacks and refreshments and draw prizes for volunteers! Students can earn Community Service hours. As this is an outdoor event, please wear sturdy, close-toed shoes and dress appropriately. Bring your own litterless lunch.

For more information, contact Adam Barker at 416-698-7322, email stewardship@scarborougharts.com or Gisela Bach email ghbach@rogers.com.


3RD ANNUAL GREEN LIVING FAIR

When: Saturday, May 3, 2008, 10am – 4pm
Where: Port Hope Fall Fair Building, Port Hope, ON
Cost: $3 admission, local fare available for sale

Learn about Living Lightly from over 40 community exhibitors and local youth.

Contact Gina McFarlane gmcfarlane@tsh.ca for more information or visit http://livinggreen.open-eyes.org/.


ROSENEATH SPRING FESTIVAL

When: May 24, 2008, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Alnwick-Haldimand Civic Centre & Fairgrounds in Roseneath

No admission fee. Nominal fees for food, face painting, etc

Fun for all. Pancake Breakfast, Food Concession, Soccer Exhibition Games, Art Exhibition, Local Music Groups, the Carousel, Nature Conservation exhibits, and more!!

Cheers!

Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director;
Vicki Barron, Director of Administration and Special Projects;
Petrina Tulissi, Manager of Promotions and Events;
Ian Lobb, Tour Director, Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Tour; and
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!:

 

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