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

October 2007

In this Issue:

• Trust Takes Part in La Route Verte’s International Mobile Forum
• Improvements on the Way for Bayly Street in Durham
• Potential for New Trail in Brighton
• Article of Interest: Bikes Could Put Toronto on the Map

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

• Community Tree Planting Event in Ashbridges Bay Park, Toronto
• Planet in Focus Film Festival
• Christmas at Presqu’ile

TRUST TAKES PART IN LA ROUTE VERTE’S INTERNATIONAL MOBILE FORUM

By: Vicki Barron

The Government of Quebec (Transport Quebec) in partnership with Velo Quebec and a thousand different local organizations has created an outstanding bicycle route, named La Route verte, extending for more than 4,000 kilometres, linking 16 regions and passing through more than 320 municipalities – all of this in 12 short years! I was privileged to represent the Waterfront Trail at this summer’s inauguration of La Route verte.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust was honoured to be on the exclusive list of invitees, which included representatives from nine major cycling organizations and developers of major bikeways in Canada, United States and Europe (France, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium - European Cycling Federation, & Spain) to participate in an International Forum centered on promoting promising practices in trail/cycling development and maintenance.

Over a whirlwind six days in early August, our international contingent:

• cycled 11 of the numerous regional trails that make up La Route verte;
• participated in plenary themed sessions which allowed each organization to share their knowledge and experience;
• met and exchanged information with builders of La Route verte, in various regions of Quebec; and
• experienced the hospitality (food, wine, stories and fun) that makes Quebec such a wonderful province.

I was proud to showcase the Waterfront Trail on behalf of our partners to this prestigious international gathering of experts. The length of the Waterfront Trail and its close proximity to the majority of the population of Ontario impressed the participants. But our signage and mapping was the envy of everyone present! In my presentation, I focused on two of the Trust’s recent initiatives—web site development (Trail site recently won “Best site for Families and Kids from American Trails) and the Design, Signage Maintenance Guidelines. Both these initiatives have been generously supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.

What struck me from the presentations of the other countries and our Quebec partners was the leadership at the national or provincial government in the vision and execution of the trail development and maintenance and marketing. In the case of La Route verte, Transport Quebec offers a program to fund a % portion of all Trail development and also has an annual maintenance grant to offset some of the costs of ‘state of good repair’ for the trails- Transport Quebec views bikeways as part of the Provincial sustainable transportation network.

A common theme among the International Forum participants was the many benefits that world-class bicycle routes and route networks (yes, the Waterfront Trail is in this Class!) provide:

• The bicycle is zero-emission, climate friendly vehicle that is accessible to all and that has a minimal impact on the surrounding environmental, in terms of safety, noise, road space occupied and parking;
• Bicycling is an active means of transportation that promotes individual and collective health and well-being;
• Bicycle tourism is an environmentally friendly, healthy and enriching way to explore the culture, attractions and cuisine of a region or county;
• Bicycle tourism has a more significant economic impact, locally and per individual, than traditional tourism and also encourages people to adopt healthy lifestyles, particularly through the promotion of active transportation; and
• The infrastructure required for bicycle tourism, particularly bikeways and greenways, are also public recreational and transportations facilities that benefit the population as a whole and promote cycling.

I want to thank the Velo Quebec Board and staff for their invitation to participate in this memorable event. And congratulations to everyone who was a part of developing La Route verte –BIEN FAIT!!!!!

I highly recommend a trip(s) on La Route verte – detailed information can be obtained at www.routeverte.com. A great introduction to La Route verte that also uses the Waterfront Trail is Cornwall to Montreal. The Trust’s itinerary for this trip can be found at www.waterfronttrail.org/trail-itin-CornMont.html.

At the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, we are looking forward to our continued partnership and friendship with Velo Quebec as we move our idea of a ‘welcome centre for cyclists’ at the Quebec/Ontario border from a concept into reality – connecting the Waterfront Trail and La Route verte.

À bientôt,

Vicki Barron


IMPROVEMENTS ON THE WAY FOR BAYLY STREET IN DURHAM

The Trust is pleased to announce that major improvements are on the horizon for the notorious stretch of Trail along Bayly Rd in Whitby. The Region of Durham is moving forward in its plans to expand Bayly Street between Ajax and Whitby. The wonderful design proposals include a 3m wide off-road trail on the south side of Bayly which will connect to the existing Waterfront Trail at Halls Road in the West and to Whitby Shores Greenway in the east. This stretch along Bayly Street has been a long-standing area of concern for the Trust and Waterfront Trail users due to the high vehicle speeds, narrow shoulders and dangerous bridge crossing. The new plans, which even include a lovely viewing platform on the south side of the bridge overlooking the Lynde Shores Conservation Area, will improve the quality, safety and comfort of this stretch for Trail users.

We’d like to congratulate the Region on their stunning designs and on their outstanding efforts to incorporate the concerns of Waterfront Trail users in their plans.

The Region is currently performing a Class Environmental Assessment Study, which was initiated in December of last year. For more information, please visit the Region of Durham’s website at: http://www.region.durham.on.ca/works.asp?nr=/departments/works/studies.htm

POTENTIAL FOR NEW TRAIL BRIGHTON

Source: Cassin, Joyce “St Mary’s moves to protect Brighton waterfront lands,” Northumberland Today

St Marys Cement Group in Brighton has dedicated 200 acres of primarily wetlands to be used for a Species at Risk Program. After receiving approval for a $71,000 funding program through the Ministry of Natural Resources, the company is currently working with the community to determine the best use of the land. The creation of trails is among the opportunities currently being discussed.

This project represents some exciting opportunities both to protect one of our coastal wetlands and create public access.

The article referenced above can be found at http://www.northumberlandtoday.com.


ARTICLE OF INTEREST: BIKES COULD PUT TORONTO ON THE MAP

On October 17, the Toronto Star printed the article below, which focuses on Toronto-Niagara Bike Train and looks at the potential of cycling tourism to act as a major draw for cities. We hope you find it interesting.

http://www.thestar.com/article/267618


UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS:

COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING EVENT IN TORONTO

When: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Park, Toronto

From Waterfront Toronto:

Community volunteers needed! Help bring nature back to your waterfront

Join Waterfront Toronto for a community planting event at Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Park.

We’ll be planting native trees and shrubs in partnership with Evergreen and the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation.

We will be starting off at the Ashbridges Bay Park. This park located at the foot of Coxwell Avenue, Lake Shore Boulevard and Ashbridges Bay Park Road. Follow Ashbridges Bay Park Road toward the lake, to road’s end. We will be meeting in the parking lot.

We will then be going to Woodbine Park an hour later, meeting at the green grandstand. The park is just north of Ashbridges Bay Park, on the opposite side of Lake Shore Boulevard.

10:00 - 11:00 Ashbridges Bay Planting
11:00 - 11:30 walking over to Woodbine Park (meet at the green grandstand)
11:30 - 1:00 Woodbine Park Planting (across Lake Shore blvd)

Space is limited, so please RSVP. Please dress for the weather, as we work through some rain and cold, and make sure to wear sturdy shoes. Gardening gloves and all tools will be provided. Refreshments available at the end.

For more information and to RSVP: Claire Ellenwood of Evergreen at 416-596-1495 ext. 262, or claire@evergreen.ca


PLANET IN FOCUS – 8TH ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

When: October 24th - 28th
Where: Toronto

Planet in Focus is Canada's most acclaimed International Environmental Film and Video festival. This annual film fest showcases compelling documentaries, animation, dramatic features, shorts, and experimental works that celebrate, question, and establish varied ways of viewing the state of our world.
For more information please visit: http://www.planetinfocus.org/.

CHRISTMAS AT PRESQU’ILE

When: Saturday and Sunday November 3rd and 4th.
Wednesday November 7th.
Saturday and Sunday November 10th and 11th.

Join the Friends of Presqu’ile Provincial Park for the 16th Annual Christmas At Presqu’ile Juried Arts and Craft Show.

Hundreds of quality Arts and Crafts will be beautifully displayed, including many “one-of-a-kind”. Visit the Christmas House and the Tea Room set in beautiful Heritage homes by the lake. Artists Doug Comeau, Linda Barber, Rose Brown and Sculptor Kris Nahrgang will be in residence at the Park’s Lighthouse Interpretive Centre Gallery.

Christmas at Presqu’ile is open for your enjoyment from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. Admission to Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Eastern Ontario’s Signature Juried Arts and Crafts Show is complimentary. Just follow the signs for Christmas at Presqu’ile.

For more information please call The Friends of Presqu’ile at 613-475-1688 or visit our website at http://www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca.


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.