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Fast Facts about the Trail
The Waterfront Trail represents a whole new way of thinking about the Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River waterfronts that emphasizes the links between ecological health, economic vitality, and a sense of community. It has helped inspire people to rediscover and improve the lakeshore, and been part of a transformation of under-utilized and environmentally degraded lands to vibrant places with businesses and jobs, parks and recreational facilities, natural habitats, cultural venues and attractions.
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Waterfront Trail:
1. How do I get a map of the Waterfront Trail? and What maps were updated in the last edition?
2. Is there an organized tour of the Trail?
3. When was the Waterfront Trail first launched?
4. What area does the Waterfront Trail cover?
5. How long is the Waterfront Trail?
6. Who uses the Waterfront Trail?
7. What are the surface types of the Trail?
8. What are the most suitable sections of the Trail
for families?
9 . How can I keep up to date on the happenings of
the Waterfront Trail?
10. What are other people saying about the Waterfront
Trail?
11. What are the next steps for the Waterfront Trail?
12. How do I make a donation to the Waterfront
Regeneration Trust?
Answers:
1. Maps:1. Maps of the entire Trail (from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border) are available for download. Visit the Trail Maps section. 2.Our 2011 Waterfront Trail & Greenway Compact Edition Mapbook
is now available (image on right). The mapbook contains over 80
full-colour maps as well as suggested itineraries for family friendly
outings on the Trail. A great resource for Trail users! The price
is $24.95 for the compact edition) + HST and shipping. Click
here
to order one online. 3. Dun-Map products are also available for purchase at select stores
in Ontario. For a list of stores, visit http://www.dunmap.com/people-retailers.asp.
We recommend calling in advance to make sure the mapbook is in stock
at a specific location. |
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| 2. Tour: | |
| The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is an annual, supported end-to-end tour of the Waterfront Trail organized by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. Participants can join for the full 8 days or sign up for a portion of the route. Sign up early because space is limited to 250 riders! | |
| 3. Launched: | |
| The first section of the Waterfront Trail, Hamilton to Trenton officially opened in 1995. Since then communities along the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have been working to connect their communities to the Waterfront Trail. In 1996, the Trust extended the Trail to Niagara-on-the-Lake and began signing portions of the Trail east of Quinte West. In 2007, the Trail was officially extended to the Quebec border where it now connects with la Route Verte, Quebec's network of cycling trails. | |
| 4. Location: | |
| The Waterfront Trail stretches from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border, along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada. The Trail includes: | |
| 41 communities 182 parks and natural areas 152 arts and culture heritage attractions 37 major annual waterfront festivals 170 marinas and yacht clubs |
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| 5. Length: | |
| 780 km (485 miles) designated (signed) 120 km (75 miles) undesignated (signage yet to be installed and/or gaps in alignment) |
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| 6. Uses: | |
| The Waterfront Trail is a multi-use (pedestrian, cycling, rollerblading) recreation trail that is used by people of all walks of life. The Trail is also used for commuting purposes (24% of Trail users use it to commute regularly). | |
7. Surface Types: |
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| The surface of the Trail varies by municipality but mainly consists of 30% off road dedicated path and 70% on residential streets or on the shoulders of major roads. Most sections are paved but some areas have gravel or packed limestone. Please check the Profiles section of this website for surface information in each municipality. | |
8. Families: |
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Summer 2007: The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure has begun! Click on the image on the right to explore an interactive map of the Waterfront Trail. To help you plan your Great Waterfront Trail adventure, we've put together four itineraries based around waterfront festivals with suggestions for rides, walks and activities for a fun-filled weekend for the whole family. |
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OR... Try the eight family-friendly trips that are part of "Tastes of Trail". Tastes of the Trail is your start to exploring the the Waterfront Trail. Trips are within a two-hour drive of Toronto and will take no longer than 2 hours to finish. To learn more visit www.waterfronttrail.org/wtsk/default.htm |
9. Ezine:
Receive our monthly online newsletter filled with updates on Trail activities and happenings on the Lake Ontario waterfront. To sign up, email your request to info@wrtrust.com and include "Ezine" in the subject heading.
Click here to view the latest issue of the Ezine.
10.
Comments:
See what others have said about the
trail!
11. Next steps:
Great Waterfront Trail Adventure
With a signed route in place from Niagara to the Quebec border, the Trust celebrated in 2008 by launching the first annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, a fully supported end-to-end cycling tour of the Waterfront Trail. This annual tour is designed to showcases the Waterfront Trail and the local communities and promote cycle tourism and active living in Ontario. Click here to find out more about this amazing adventure.
Waterfront Investment Program - Phase II
The Trust is currently coordinating an application for major infrastructure funding along the Waterfront Trail. With the success of the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (completed 2007), which brought $9 million of investment from the federal and provincial governments to the waterfront, the Trust has begun marketing a new proposal to senior levels of government. The proposal involves:
- 25 projects, 15 partners, $13 million
- Moves the Trail closer to the water's edge in 12 areas
- Builds 22 kms of new trail
- Establishes community and major regional trail links
- Creates 2 new waterfront parks; improves 16 others; 4 habitat restoration; improves universal accessibility
- Constructs 2 bridges and improves 2 others
- Cultural or natural habitat interpretation in 11 areas
- Addresses two critical safety issuesRestoration Projects
12. Donations:
Help us complete the Trail by supporting the Trust's programs and projects and receive a tax receipt. To make a secure online donation, visit our You Can Help page. Otherwise, you can send a cheque made payable to the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, 372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1X6.
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