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* Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club* Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee St. Lawrence Cement* Tilley Endurables

September 2005

In this issue:

• Website Receives Record Number of Hits
• Parrott Riverfront Trail Entrance Opens
• Update on the Great Lakes Wetlands Centre
• September’s featured community groups:
  • Canadian Kilometer Achiever Program
  • Touring Concept Cycling Group
• Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:
  • 2nd Annual Redpath Sugar Tree Planting
  • Cycle Ontario Alliance 2005 Bicycle Conference
  • 12th Annual Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner
  • CIELAP’s Partnering for Sustainability Conference

Website Receives Record Number of Hits

Last month, we at the Waterfront Trust were amazed and excited to see that the Waterfront Trail website (www.waterfronttrail.org) had received a record 326,027 web hits! This figure tells us that there is an enormous interest in the Waterfront Trail and in the services and information provided by our website. Even more exciting is the fact that, when compared with previous totals for August (305,401 in 2004 and 225,980 in 2003), we see a trend of increasing activity on the web page year after year.

These results tell us that our efforts to improve and expand our site have paid off. As many of you know, November 2004 marked the launch of a newly redesigned website geared towards trail users as a primary audience. The idea was to provide users with easy access to a vast amount of information about the trail including detailed, downloadable maps, community profiles, trail itineraries, and a library of publications and reports related to the Waterfront Trail. Combined with a user-friendly interface, our website now provides all the necessary information and tools people need for planning their own trips.

The increased activity on our site indicates that more and more people are taking an interest in the Waterfront Trail and using our website to learn about what the trail has to offer.

Parrott Riverfront Trail Entrance Opens!

On September 10, 2005 the City of Belleville hosted opening ceremonies for the Parrott Riverfront Trail Entrance. A procession led by Piper Don Greer and the Legion’s Colour Party walked along the beautiful Moira Riverfront Trail until they reached the Trail’s new gateway-the Parrott Riverfront Trail Entrance. A formal ceremony that paid homage to Belleville’s United Empire Loyalist heritage followed with representatives from all levels of government and community leaders participating.
Belleville has a stunning waterfront—thanks in large measure to the bold vision of local government and the persistence of talented staff such as Doug Moses. The Trust first toured the proposed site in 2002 on its end to end tour with Toronto Star reporter, Kate Harries. At that time we met the vivacious Kay Manderville. Knowing that we would arrive in Belleville at the end of a long day’s ride, and adamant that we not miss one metre of Belleville’s trail system, Kay and Doug loaded us into a golf cart for a tour of the entire Trail! Their excitement and pride were infectious and inspiring—they still are.

The Parrott Riverfront Trail Entrance is named to honour the project’s generous benefactor – Mr. Jack Parrott. The ceremony was particularly poignant since Mr. Parrott very recently passed away. Bernice Parrott, his widow and partner in bringing so many wonderful changes to Belleville’s waterfront addressed the guests assembled.

Congratulations Belleville! And thank you Mrs. Parrott.

Update on the Great Lakes Wetlands Centre

A recent article in the Wetlands and Wildlife newsletter, put out by the Friends of Second Marsh, contains an update on the planning and development of the Great Lakes Wetlands Centre. This future facility will act as an educational and interpretive centre for Second Marsh and other Great Lakes wetlands. The proposed 30,000 sq. ft. building will include an auditorium, classroom and meeting space, a large viewing deck and permanent display spaces. The Friends of Second Marsh article gives us a first glimpse of some of the planned exhibits, including:

• Spirit of the Wetlands: in which flowing columns of water are used to show the cleansing power of wetlands
• Great Lakes Wetlands: featuring interactive exhibits that expose visitors to other Great Lakes wetlands
• Kids Discovery Zone: featuring an array of hands-on displays and activities for children
• Wetlands Walkthrough: featuring a series of dioramas and displays designed to immerse visitors in the main types of wetlands

Stay tuned for further updates on the design and construction of the facility.

September’s Featured Community Groups:

Canadian Kilometer Achiever Program

C-KAP was created in 1976 as an incentive program for cyclists across Canada. The goal is to inspire all cyclists in Canada and beyond to ride and reach their goal of improved health and lifestyle. Participants register with the organization and each year receive a cycling log to keep track of their kilometers cycled. At the end of the year, members submit their logs and if they have traveled the required distance, they receive awards such as badges or medals. Members are encouraged to challenge themselves to achieve yearly goals. Each new kilometer is added to the member’s running total allowing them to chart their progress over time. This program is also open to all types of human-powered cycles and wheelchairs.

For more information about the program, contact James D. Wilson, C-KAP Coordinator at jimckap@mondenet.com. To register, log on to www.ckap.ca.

Touring Concept Cycling Group

TCCG is a recreational cycling club in Durham that promotes a wide variety of cycling activities including weekly rides every Sunday, club picnics, out-of-town rides and an annual dinner. The club is entirely run by volunteers who are dedicated to promoting fitness in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, a ride schedule of club rides and discounts at designated bike store.

For more information on the organization and to become a member, visit www.durhamcycling.com.

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

Second Annual Redpath Sugar Tree Planting

Due to the success of last year’s event, on Sunday October 2nd, 2005, the Toronto Bay Initiative is hosting its 2nd Annual Redpath Sugar Tree Planting. The event will take place from 10am-noon and participants are asked to meet at Cherry Beach at the foot of Cherry St. Remember to dress for the weather as the planting goes forward rain or shine!

To register or to receive more information, contact the Toronto Bay Initiative at 416-598-2277 or at info@torontobay.net. The event is free.

Cycle Ontario Alliance 2005 Bicycle Conference—Saturday October 22, 2005

The Cycle Ontario Alliance, along with local hosts (Hamilton, and Burlington Cycling Advisory Committees and the McMaster Alternative Commuting and Transportation Office) is hosting a conference on Saturday October 22nd, 2005 at McMaster University in Hamilton. The conference will involve speakers, presentations and opportunities for networking, including an informal reception on Friday night at the Phoenix Pub on campus and a Sunday morning bike ride.

The tentative times for the conference are 9:30am to 4:00pm on Saturday October 22nd, with registration at 9:00am. For more information, email info@CycleOntario.ca.

The 12th Annual Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner—Thursday October 27, 2005

The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto and the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust are co-hosting the event this year. Proceeds will be designated for use in the protection of significant parcels of land on the Oak Ridges Moraine. The keynote speaker will be Ralph Nader.

Dinner will be held at the Pearson Convention Centre, 2838 Steeles Avenue East, Brampton. General Reception 6 pm; Dinner 7 pm. For more information and to get your tickets contact: 416-661-6600 ext. 5276 or email info@charlessauriol.ca.

CIELAP’s Partnering for Sustainability Conference—October 27-28th, 2005

The Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy is organizing a conference on October 27th and 28th entitled: Working Towards Sustainable Urban Communities. The conference will focus on how issues of urban sustainability are being addressed through partnerships between leaders in business, civil society, government, media, and academia. It will feature panels on energy, water, waste, and the role of the media. It will also feature a much-anticipated government panel and a presentation from keynote speaker Gro Harlem Brundtland.

The conference will take place in Toronto at the King Edward Hotel. For more information, including info on Early Bird specials, visit the conference web page at www.cielap.org/savethedate.html.

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

Visit www.waterfronttrail.org to download 90 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.