Trust Announces New Phase of Investment for the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway

Today Ministers David Collenette and Brian Coburn joined Keith Laushway Chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and David Barlow of CIBC to announce the start of an exciting new phase of investment for the 740 kilometre-Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and Greenway involving all levels of government and an impressive number of private resources.

SuperBuild and Industry Canada together are contributing $9.2 million to help fund projects to enhance and expand the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. Partner municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups are contributing $23 million for a total investment by all levels of government and community partners of $32 million.

The investment will result in 125kms of new trail and trail connections; 6 major waterfront promenades; 2 bridges; improvements to over 20 waterfront parks; 5 new cultural heritage facilities; interpretation of over 20 waterfront habitats; 4 major brownfield rehabilitation projects; 6 significant waterfront habitat restoration projects; and 3 harbour/marina revitalization projects.

“The Waterfront Trail and Greenway is a significant national and provincial resource that serves over 6 million people--59% of Ontario’s population and 22% of the national population”, says founding Chair David Crombie who was unable to attend the event due to heart surgery. “It represents an exciting and historic commitment by local leaders, communities and businesses such as CIBC to regenerate one of this country’s finest assets, the Lake Ontario waterfront.”

“CIBC is delighted to be a part of this innovative project and to play a leading role in achieving local economic development and environmental restoration goals”, says David Barlow, Senior Vice President, Corporate Risk & Insurance Services, CIBC. CIBC is a founding partner of the Trail and has committed a total of $1.25 million.

Only 8 years old, the Trail has an impressive history—first conceived by people participating in public hearings, and then recommended by the Royal Commission on the Future of the Toronto Waterfront headed by David Crombie. The Trail was opened in 1995, possible only because everyone was prepared to participate in a unique partnership set on achieving a common goal—regenerating the waterfront.

“SuperBuild and Canada-Ontario Investment Program have created an excellent opportunity for waterfront regeneration through this grant”, added Keith Laushway, Chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. “This funding has served as a catalyst to securing local support and funds. We continue to be grateful for the enthusiastic support the Trail receives from the public and the growing number of private resources now participating in the work to regenerate the waterfront.”

The Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment program has a number of private and community partners. CIBC, for example, has renewed its involvement to the Waterfront Trail by committing $250,000 over the next three years. Other community partners include: Mr. Jack Parrott of Belleville who donated $400,000 to create a section of Belleville’s trail, the Belleville Business Improvement Association which has raised $350,000, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore, the Dieppe Veteran’s Association, the Community Foundation of Oakville, the Whitby Heritage Community Association and the Friends of Second Marsh.

In 1995 the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail went from Hamilton to Quinte West (formerly Trenton). Since that time, communities to the east and west have been working to bring the economic, environmental and recreational benefits associated with the Trail to their communities. Although there are significant gaps, particularly in the Niagara Region, the Trail is largely in place from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Quinte West. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment Program will go a long way to addressing the gaps in Niagara and to bringing enhancements to other parts of the Trail.

Much of the groundwork for the extension of the Trail east of Quinte West has been set by a new volunteer group called the Eastern Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Waterfront Working Group—another example of the ways in which the community is active in renewing the waterfront. By 2006 the Trust hopes to have designated, signed Trail in place from NOTL to Brockville.

"I want to let people know that the Waterfront Trail is ready for them - for either a short visit within their community or between communities or if they are ambitious from end to end”, says Vicki Barron, Executive Director of the Trust. “ I did an 'end to end' bike tour with some colleagues from the Trust last summer - it was an wonderful experience to visit all of the communities along the lake and see the incredible regeneration that they have accomplished, as well as the plans they have for future waterfront regeneration. I urge everyone to explore the Trail and enjoy our Great Lake!”

Richly diverse, the Trail from NOTL to Brockville passes through urban and rural settings along trails, residential streets and major roadways such as HWY 2 and HWY 33. The long-term goal is to see a dedicated off-road trail running as close to the shore as possible.

The Trail is already very popular—receiving high ratings from users for its design and amenities. In the Trail User Survey conducted this past summer, most respondents reported using the Trail 73 times in the past year on average.

With outdoor activities ranked as the most popular pastime of Ontario’s overnight outdoor visitors and 77% of Trail survey respondents reporting an interest in spending all or some of their vacation on the Trail, the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail fits emerging tourism trends and has valuable potential to contribute to local economies seeking to benefit from this growing industry.

Media Contact: Marlaine Koehler, Program Director
Cell: 416 520 4205 or 416 695 1573
email: mkoehler@istar.ca

Return to News Release index