August 16, 2004

The Honourable Peter Milliken, MP
14-303 Bagot Street
Kingston, Ontario
K7K 5W7

Dear Sir:

Congratulations on your re-election as a member of the Federal Parliament.

The purpose of this letter is to update you on the tremendous work that is underway on the 740 km Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway, and to request your continued support for this project when future investment opportunities arise.

Our organization, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a not for profit charity that works with 45 local partners including municipalities, conservation authorities, and waterfront communities to complete, enhance and promote the Trail and Greenway.

This partnership continues to expand as communities seek our agreement to include their waterfront in the popular Trail.The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail stretches along the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario connecting all 35 of Ontario’s Lake Ontario waterfront communities, from Niagara on the Lake to Brockville. It 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 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.

Our current major initiative is the coordination of a $32 million public infrastructure investment on the Trail and Greenway. The program is called the Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment Program. Through the Canada-
Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP), the federal and provincial governments are contributing $9.2M, which will lever an additional $23M from waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities, community groups and private donors.
The investment will bring many significant improvements to our waterfront: l25 km of new trail and trail connections; 6 major waterfront promenades; 2 bridges; upgrades to over 20 waterfront parks; 5 new cultural heritage facilities; interpretative signage in 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 City of Kingston will be paving 720 m of trail through Lake Ontario Park.The compelling vision of a regenerated waterfront combined with public investment has inspired strong community involvement.

Since the Trail’s launch in 1995, the private sector, service clubs and donors have invested in theTrail through a number of projects and programs. In fact, CIBC is a founding partner of the Waterfront Trail – they have donated more than $1 million since 1996 towards our work.

To promote this incredible national amenity we have co-published the Official Trail Mapbook with MapArt. Your copy is enclosed as our invitation to you and your family to explore the Trail. These maps, updated to include the new sections of Trail from Quinte West to Brockville, as well as itineraries and tourist information are now available on our re-designed website at www.waterfronttrail.org.

The Federal 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 COIP grant, the Federal government has been a supporter and contributor to the work of the Trust and the Trail. This support is extremely important to gaining and keeping local and provincial investment and interest in the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway. The Trail is a national ‘green’ treasure that exemplifies design excellence, innovative green infrastructure, community action and cooperation in regeneration, recreation, and transportation.

Once again, congratulations on your re-election. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your federal colleagues to complete and enhance the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway. Together we can make Ontario’s lake great!

Best Wishes,

Vicki Barron,
CGAExecutive Director