Do More on the Shore Ezine

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

June 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Featured Route - Cornwall to Montreal
• Featured Attraction – Home Place
• Trail Tale
• In Line Skating
• Trails Ahead Conference
• Waterfront Trail and Greenway Day
• Upcoming Events
• Trail Closings
• Web-Cam
• Map books

FEATURED ROUTE – Cornwall to Montreal

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust celebrated their partnership with La Route verte at the end of May by unveiling a Waterfront Trail sign on the site of a future kiosk. The mayor of South Glengarry, Jim McDonell, and Deputy Warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Estella Rose, were presented with a trail sign from La Route verte; while the mayor of Riviere-Beaudette, Denis Brodeur, accepted a Waterfront Trail sign as a symbol of the two trails connecting. The Waterfront Trail now extends from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border where it links with La Route verte.

To celebrate the continuation of the Waterfront Trail into Quebec, our team rode from the Ontario border to Montreal to participate in the “World’s Biggest Bike Fest” activities and highly recommend the ride. We enjoyed the peaceful paths along the canals, the scenic roads with waterfront vistas, and felt safe riding the bike lanes in Montreal.

We covered the 90 km in two days, staying in Valleyfield the first night at Hotel Plaza Valleyfield. They were very accommodating with us, and our bikes, and are offering an $89 + tax rate for Waterfront Trail users. Valleyfield also offers a charming downtown with restaurants, shops, and benches to people watch. For information on how to ride to the hotel please contact us, or stay posted to www.waterfronttrail.org as we update our itineraries.

On the second day we rode through the endearing Sainte-Anne de Bellevue, stopped for a fantastic lunch at Poissonerie in Dorval, and meandered along the Lachine Canal into the Old Port in Montreal where we rolled onto a bike lane that took us to our hotel.

To see the map of our route, or a similar route from Cornwall, log on to http://www.waterfronttrail.org/trail-s-7.html or http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/canada/on/cornwall/480076989.

If you are interested in planning your own trip to or from Montreal, or anywhere along the Waterfront Trail, please contact us for more information.


FEATURED ATTRACTION – Home Place

Located in Alex Robertson Park in Pickering is Home Place, one of the most unique areas along the Waterfront Trail. Artist Dorsey James, along with the help of Dunbarton High School students, has carved a symbolic portal between physical and spiritual places. Represented in several stunning wood carvings, the artist and students have created an outdoor art gallery to be enjoyed by people of all ages, and at all times of year. One of the most impressive parts of Home Place are the faces that have been carved into recycled hydro poles and displayed with uncarved poles which stand atop a hill and look out over the park. For more information log on to www.homeplace.ca.

TRAIL TALE by Mandy Walker

Attached are a few photos from our weekend excursion from Port Hope to Brighton and back. What a great weekend it was! We stayed at the most delightful B & B in Brighton - Apple Manor. It was just a short distance off the trail on main street, walking distance to a lovely restaurant. There is a customer testimonial in her brochure from someone who enjoyed using the swimming pool after their trip along the Waterfront Trail.

The photo of the building with all the maple leaf detail work was a small cafe right beside the trail at the waterfront in Cobourg and the tiny "covered bridge" that Colin is on was in the Nawautin Nature Sanctuary in the Township of Alnwick-Haldimand - a lovely little rest spot! Too bad I didn't get the three deer the other day. But I will go back with my camera. They are probably still in the vicinity. That is not the first time I have seen deer along the trail. The last time, a few years back, the deer was actually standing on the trail, near GM in Oshawa, as I rode up.


IN-LINE SKATING

If you are interested in in-line skating, the Waterfront Trail offers several paved off-road routes, including those in Oshawa, Whitby, Toronto, Burlington, and Hamilton. The Toronto Bicycle Network is just one group that may be found skating along Lake Ontario and offers group bicycle rides and social activities as well. For more information log on to www.tbn.ca <http://www.tbn.ca> .


TRAILS AHEAD CONFERENCE

September 19-20th, 2007
Palais Royale, Toronto Ontario

The Trust is pleased to provide the following update on the agenda for the
Trails Ahead conference.

Presentations on Day 1 of the conference will explore 50 remarkable regeneration projects, noting the rich range of physical, ecological and social linkages that have transformed the waterfront experience for so many. They will also offer international perspectives on global trends in waterfront regeneration, with keynote presentations that will be thought-provoking and inspiring. The Trust is pleased to announce that the following speakers have been confirmed:

Fred Kent, President of Project for Public Spaces, New York

Mr. Kent and Project for Public Spaces have deeply influenced the way cities and towns approach public space. He will bring this expertise and an international perspective to our discussion about waterfronts.

Joe Berridge, Partner of Urban Strategies

Mr. Berridge’s presentation will refocus the discussion on Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River experience and what lies ahead, particularly what challenges will test our resolve/ability to stick to the vision.

Keynote speaker, T.J. Juskiewicz, RAGBRAI organizer

RAGBRAI is a 35-year old family cycling event held annually in Iowa. Participants cycle across the state of IOWA starting from the Missouri River and ending the trek by dipping their front tires in the Mississippi River. During the 6-day event, participants take in community events hosted by the communities large and small on the 400+ mile (640 km) route. The event is so popular that it attracts 8,500 registered participants who have to win a place in the ride through a lottery.

Day 1 will also feature a series of interesting presentations by experts who have successfully organized, packaged and marketed multi-community or major events.

* Gil Penalosa, Executive Director of Walk and Bike for Life-Creating pedestrian/cycling opportunities
* Seaway Trail-themed, self-guided tours
* La Route Verte—La Grand Tour

Day Two of the Conference will give participants a unique opportunity to experience the Trail first-hand. We’ve organized a cycling tour on the Trail, which will showcase just how far we’ve come on the waterfront. The ride is fully supported, with various pick-up and drop-off points that allow you to ride as little, or as much as you like. Join us for a ride that will inspire, motivate, and impress.

Register Today at http://www.canurb.com/events/register/register1.php?id=185

For more information call the Waterfront Regeneration Trust at 416-943-8080 or email Marlaine Koehler at mk@wrtrust.com.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is very pleased to be working with the Canadian Urban Institute on this project.


WATERFRONT TRAIL AND GREENWAY DAY

The town of Ajax and the Town of Cobourg have recently proclaimed September 20th “Waterfront Trail and Greenway Day.” Some of our other partners such as City of Oshawa will be issuing proclamations as well at a time closer to the actual date.

The Trust recently sent out a request for this proclamation to its partners, which has been met with an enthusiastic response. Mayor Delanty of Cobourg has even issued a challenge to other mayors of waterfront communities, “to follow Cobourg’s lead in proclaiming Waterfront Trail and Greenway Day.”

The Trust would like to extend its thanks to the mayors of these communities for their continued support of the Waterfront Trail and Greenway. Keep those proclamations coming!


UPCOMING EVENTS

There are a large variety of events happening on the Waterfront Trail this month. From a Strawberry Social, to wine tasting, garden tours, dance performances, and dragon boat races there is an event that is sure to wet your taste buds. Listed below are some of the waterfront festivals taking place this month. For a full listing of events, log on to: http://www.waterfronttrail.org/trail-ev2007june.html

Mississauga Waterfront Festival

Featuring live entertainment, children's activities, vendors and crafts, fireworks and more!
Date: June 15th to 17th, 2007
Time: Starts Friday at 5:30 pm
Location: Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga
Admission: Adults $15, Children and Seniors $10
Phone: 905-891-0002
Website: www.mississaugawaterfrontfestival.com

Oakville Waterfront Festival

Come and celebrate Oakville's Waterfront! Entertainment, children's activities, food vendors and much more!
Date: June 22nd to 24th, 2007
Time: Starts Friday at 5 pm
Location: Coronation Park, Lakeshore Road
Admission Charge: Y
Phone: 905-847-7975
Website: www.oakvillefestival.com

Deseronto Waterfront Festival

A fun-filled family weekend featuring: Midway, Live Bands, Children's Village, Senior's Social, Car and Motorcycle Show & Shine and much, much more.
Date: June 22nd to 24th, 2007
Time: Starts Sat at 10 am
Location: Deseronto waterfront
Admission Charge: $5 (good for the whole weekend)
Phone: Tina McCarney 613.396.6357
Email: tina.mccarney@sympatico.ca
Website: www.deserontowaterfrontfestival.com

Cobourg Highland Games

Pay tribute to Scotland with the Cobourg Highland Games, where you'll find Highland dancers, pipe and drum competitions and traditional Scottish fare.
Date: June 23rd, 2007
Time: Begins Fri at 5pm
Location: Donegan Park, D'Arcy St. South, Cobourg
Admission Charge: $15 (children 16 and under free)
Phone: 1-888-262-6874
Website: www.cobourghighlandgames.ca

Cobourg Waterfront Festival

Come out and enjoy fine art, live entertainment and crafts at Cobourg's unique heritage harbour and beautiful Victoria Park.
Date: June 30th- July 2nd, 2007
Time: Starts Thurs at 6 pm
Location: Various venues
Admission Charge: Y
Phone: 1-888-262-6874
Website: www.waterfrontfestival.ca

WEB-CAM

The 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River region offers a haven for boaters, military history buffs, cyclists, and people of all ages, sizes, and interests. Log onto the web-cam at Collins Bay Marina in Kingston for a small glimpse into this beautiful region.
http://www.marinasontario.com/destination_guide_marina_cam.asp?id=8

TRAIL CLOSINGS

• WILMOT CREEK - Clarington

The stretch of off-road Trail between Bennet Road and Cobbledick Rd in Clarington is under construction as is the stretch along Toronto St to Lakebreeze Dr. They are expected to be reopened in July 2007. To avoid this construction, Trail users can follow Bennet up to Hwy 2 and return south on Cobbledick (roughly 5 km).

• CHERRY BEACH - Toronto

Environmental restoration work will be taking place in April and May in and around Cherry Beach. Portions of the Martin Goodman Trail, as well as the entire east parking lot at Cherry Beach will be closed, as seen in the picture below.

Trenches are going to be dug to install a pumping system to remove contaminants floating on the groundwater. The contaminants will be screened, filtered, and treated with the material shipped to a licensed treatment facility on a regular basis.

There will be no access to the beach parking lot east of Cherry Street and there will be limited access to the waterfront and a portion of the Martin Goodman Trail (south of Unwin Avenue between Cherry Street and Regatta Road). Visitors to the Port Lands during this time can refer to the alternate trail routes outlined at www.towaterfront.ca. For more information, please contact Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation at 416-214-1344 or info@towaterfront.ca.

• DARLINGTON PROVINCIAL PARK – Clarington

The Waterfront Trail through Darlington Provincial Park in currently closed as the region of Durham is constructing a new water line near the Oshawa border, but should be open soon. To find out the status of the park, call 905-436-2036. For alternate route information contact us at 416-943-8080 or info@wrtrust.com.

MAP BOOKS AVAILABLE

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust unveiled a new set of web maps and community profiles on www.waterfronttrail.org. Covering the eastern extension of the Waterfront Trail from Brockville to the Quebec border along the St. Lawrence Seaway, the 7 new maps cover 147km of the trail in full colour and high detail. Like all of our maps, they can be downloaded in the PDF format directly from our website, or you can order your own map book that includes all 780 km of the waterfront trail from Niagara to Quebec, as well as sights to see along the way and suggested itineraries. To purchase a map book log on to www.dunmap.com/people-order-wt-mapbook.html.

If you have any questions or would like to contribute to this Ezine, please contact Petrina at:

pt@wrtrust.com
416-943-8080
372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1X6
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.