Do More on the Shore Ezine

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

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

January 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Updates
Upcoming Events Along the Trail
Trails of the World

GREAT WATERFRONT TRAIL ADVENTURE UPDATES:

With 2009 officially underway, plans for the 2nd Annual GWTA this July are ramping up. The first round of Community Partners meetings to establish the daily events will be taking place later this month. These week long meetings are a great way for everyone along the trail to reconnect, review 08 and build excitement during the planning process.

New Partnership: Ducks Unlimited

An important aspect of the GWTA is the experiencing and understanding of the Waterfront & the communities along the way. Included in this year’s event is the theme of Coastal Wetlands in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited. Participants will have various opportunities along the Trail to learn about and explore the 86 wetlands on route! More details about the partnership to be announced.
http://www.ducks.ca

Launch:

We are also pleased to announce that this year’s event will launch from inside the walls of Historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Not only will we be begin our ride from this fortification, but we will also have the pleasure of spending the night of July 3rd in the barracks and tents for all those who wish to arrive and register the night before the official kick-off. More details surrounding the night of July 3rd to come!
http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/natcul/index_E.asp

Website:

This month we will be launching the French version of the GWTA website for all of our Quebecois travelers. We will also be heading to the Montreal Bike Show in February to promote the Waterfront Trail and the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure to our friends in Quebec.

Stay tuned to www.waterfrontrail.org/gwta_web for the fleur de lis on the front page.

UPCOMING EVENTS ALONG THE TRAIL:

Niagara Ice Wine Festival 2009

Over 10 Days (two weekends) from January 16th until the 25th, the Niagara Region will be hosting their annual Ice Wine Festival to celebrate what has commonly been referred to as liquid gold! The festivities will begin on the 16th with a kick-off gala in Niagara Falls, followed by events taking place from NOTL to the Twenty Valley in and around Jordan. For more details surrounding this fantastic winter celebration go to:
http://www.niagarawinefestival.com/index.html

Colborne Art Gallery.

SAN MURATA is the guest artist at The Colborne Gallery in the New Year. His inimitable colour sense and style convey a truly magical spirit of place. His gouache paintings are lively, colourful, and whimsical yet display a mastery of what can be a very challenging medium.

No racing around without stopping to enjoy what is at hand. Relax. Breathe. Feel. Live. Love.’ All are warmly invited to the opening reception on January 24 at 2pm. The show continues through March 8, 2009.
http://www.thecolborneartgallery.ca/

TRAILS OF THE WORLD:

Cycling the Danube Bike Path

The Danube bike path is said to be Europe's best known and most loved bike trip. It starts in Passau, Germany near the Austrian border and continues for 230 miles to Vienna. There are bikes paths almost all the way, and there is usually a choice of being on the north or south bank of the river. All along the way there are delightful small towns, placid scenery, castles on the hills, monasteries, and excursions into woods and farm country. For anyone considering a trip along the Danube, the infrastructure is in place to package an entire vacation on your own, or you can contact numerous guiding companies to do it for you.

For more information on tours, or to check out what they have in place take a look at the following link:

http://www.mayq.com/Best_european_trips/Danube/Danube.htm

Pro Cycling Team to promote active transportation and sustainability:
You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to realize that cycling is a low impact method of travel or to realize the environmental and health benefits...
http://www.velonews.com/article/86340/ten-speed-driveellsworth-factory-cycling-team

If you have any questions or would like to contribute to this Ezine, please contact Ian at:
il@wrtrust.com
416-943-8080
372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1X6

WARNING: The information and suggestions in this newsletter have been developed to assist Trail users in planning both their recreational and commuting trips along the Waterfront Trail. It mentions signed routes of the Trail, as well as possible routes and connections in areas where routes have not yet been designated as part of the Waterfront Trail. The possible routes and connections have been identified in consultation with the municipalities and Conservation Authorities of Lake Ontario and from Trail users. Some of these possible routes and connections may not be ideal for cycling, in-line skating, or hiking. They may be unsuitable for some Trail users because of the close proximity to vehicular traffic or unsuitable trail surface. Whenever possible, indicators have been placed on the maps to warn of caution areas. However, be prepared to make your own evaluation of traffic, trail and road conditions, and plan routes appropriate to your riding, in line skating, and hiking skills and your comfort level. This newsletter is not intended as a guide for children.