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

February 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Updates
Creating a Great Grimsby
Winter Trail Maintenance in Mississauga and Toronto
Along the Trail: Explore Northumberland with the new Outdoor Adventure Map
Other Great Trails Of the World
Upcoming Events

GREAT WATERFRONT TRAIL ADVENTURE UPDATES:

July 3rd Overnight:

Thanks to our partners at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we will have the opportunity to spend the night of the 3rd inside the walls of the fort with some festive 1812 celebrations. All participants of the GWTA will be able to pitch their tents, obtain their kits, and camp under the stars prior the launch of the ride the following morning. For those who wish to stay in the barracks that evening, a sign-up will be created closer to the date for a small fee TBD. The details regarding sign-up, long-term parking in NOTL, as well as a Bike Train option from Toronto to Niagara will be posted on our website in the coming weeks. Keep checking back for updates!!

The French GWTA site is officially up and running!

A big thank you to David and the translation team for converting the GWTA website into French for our friends in Quebec and beyond. In the top right corner of our website you will now see the Fleur de lis and the word “Francais”, click on the box for a quick transition between French and English. With the website up, and staff enroute to Quebec, everything is now set to go in time for the launch of the 2nd Annual GWTA at Expodium (Bike Show) in Montreal this weekend (always a great city to spend some time in!). For anyone in the Montreal area, come by the booth and say hello.

For more details about the show go to: Expodium.ca

WALK AND BIKE FOR LIFE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP: CREATING A GREAT GRIMSBY

As part of a series of workshops aimed at making communities more walkable and bikable, Walk and Bike for Life is hosting a community workshop in Grimsby from 6-9 pm Thursday, February 19th at the Peach King Centre. This is an opportunity for residents and other interested parties to participate in the discussions and ideas generated.

The evening will begin with a presentation from Gil Penalosa, who is an international active transportation expert, followed by group sessions to generate some ideas and discussion about making Grimsby a great place to walk and bike.

The workshop is free. See attached flyer for more details. For additional information or to sign up for the session please contact Sarah Sweeney at 905-945-1288 x 2072.

WINTER TRAIL MAINTENANCE IN MISSISSAUGA AND TORONTO

Good news for those Waterfront Trail users in Mississauga and Toronto who want to use the Trail year round. Both communities have recently budgeted for winter trail maintenance along the Waterfront Trail. Here are the details:

Toronto:

From Cyclometer, Jan 2009

This winter season, the [Transportation Services] Division is proposing to initiate a pilot that will create two bike routes into the downtown core, using sections of off-street trails;

approximately 5.6 kilometres following the multi-use trail on the north side of Lakeshore Boulevard from Northern Dancer Boulevard west to Lower Sherbourne Street.
6.3 km long section of the Martin Goodman Trail between Windermere Avenue and Stadium Road (just west of Bathurst).

These sections of bike trail would be ploughed and de-iced, typically in conjunction with the sidewalk ploughing operation.

For more info, go to http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/cyclometer/2009_jan.htm.

Mississauga:

Mississauga Parks now provides snow clearing, salting and sanding for a variety of City buildings (community centres and libraries) along with park frontages and some park pathways, including the full Waterfront Trail stretching from Clarkson through Port Credit to Lakeview.

The first priority for Parks is to clear walkways around buildings and parking lots. The Waterfront Trail will, along with other park pathways, be considered as Priority 2 and will be cleared within 48 hours of a significant snowfall, and salted and sanded as required.

ALONG THE TRAIL:

Explore Northumberland with the new Outdoor Adventure Map

From: Northumberland Tourism

As you trek along Northumberland County’s portion of the Waterfront Trail (Port Hope, Cobourg, Grafton, Colborne, Brighton), our new Outdoor Adventure Map affords you the opportunity to detour off of the trail for even more outdoor experiences.

We’ve identified some prime bird watching areas, public fishing holes, scenic camping areas, and over 20 hiking trails for you to consider. And if you are taking your bicycle along the Waterfront Trail, we’re really excited about the 5 looped cycling routes along picturesque side roads that originate from the Waterfront Trail into our rolling hills. You’ll pass by cycle-friendly accommodations and some incredibly commanding views, such as those which can be seen on the Rice Lake Ramble 87 km route as you cycle Lander Road overlooking Rice Lake.

http://www.northumberlandtourism.com/en/wildernessoutdoors/cyclingtrails.asp

Contact Northumberland Tourism at info@northumberlandtourism.com or call 1-866-401 EAST (3278) for your free map.

OTHER GREAT TRAILS OF THE WORLD:

Central Otago Rail Trail, New Zealand

On the heels of the recent Ontario Cycle Tourism forum, in this Shorezine we take a look at a connected trail system in the Southern Hemisphere that has taken a rather holistic approach to development. The idea of not only creating a network of trails, but having the infrastructure in place to support them is what helps to sustain it. With numerous B&Bs, restaurants, medical facilities and tour companies to support the CORT, the long term vision of tourism, healthy lifestyle and economic benefits are all part of the greater picture.

The current 150 km trail network provides year round recreation and business opportunities for people of all ages. The fact that it is built on a pre-existing rail trail tells you that the terrain is generally flat, but with incredible views of the South Island.

http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Roseneath Spring Festival

When: May 23rd, 2009 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Roseneath Fair Grounds. (Highway 45 - # 9109), home of the famous Carousel, in the village of Roseneath (Northumberland County, Ontario).

Events for the whole family include a pancake breakfast, music and entertainment, environmental and conservation displays, antique farm equipment display and the Northumberland Wood Carvers exhibit. Admission is $2:00 and a door prize will be awarded.

For further information contact Faith Osmond at dfosmond@xplornet.com or 905-352-2606.

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.