Conference Summary

Beyond Regeneration: The Trail Ahead
Waterfront Partners Meeting and Trail Ride

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Beyond Regeneration: The Trail Ahead for helping to make the event such a success. We heard from some amazing speakers on a wide range of topics and got a chance to connect on some key issues through our table discussions.

In our post-conference wrap-up you'll find:

• Tabulated results from the discussion questions
• Speaker presentations in pfd format
• Photo gallery

Discussion Questions

The conference table discussions were extremely informative and we thank you all for your feedback and suggestions. Special thanks to our table chairs: Ken Forgeron, Vicki Barron, Nikki Rendle, John Piper, Caron Cheng, Mandy Walker, Jeff Evenson, Barrie Martin, Pauline Browes, Suzanne Barrett, Mike Lalonde and Eugene Todd. We have compiled the results and responses to the discussion questions and provided summaries below. To download the detailed list of responses from the discussion questions in pdf format, click here.

DISCUSSION #1

Question 1:

The Waterfront Trail and Greenway is intended to realize the nine waterfront principles: Clean, green, connected, affordable, open, useable, accessible, diverse, attractive. Are the nine principles still relevant? Do we need to add new ones? Remove any?

Respondents felt that on the whole, the nine principles are still relevant. However, certain ones were singled out as problematic - the most common being "affordable." There was also concern that "clean and green" does not adequately convey the concept of healthy ecosystems. Top suggestions for new principles were grouped around the following concepts: heritage and community; wellness/healthy living; partnerships/collaboration; sustainability; celebration; and safety. To download the detailed discussion results in pdf format, click here.

Question 2:

The long-term vision of the Waterfront Trail and Greenway is and "off-road, multi-use trail and greenway as close to the water's edge as is environmentally feasible." What tools would help individual partner communities to secure the long-term vision? (for example, Route Options Study for water's edge alignment, design Charettes)

The most common responses were that funding and land acquisition are what is needed. This was followed by tools to facilitate implementation, including (most commonly): clearing house of best practices, contacts, etc.; economic viability/tourism studies; route option studies; and leadership training. The next most common group of responses stressed the need for partnerships with various organizations, including: community stakeholders, experts, private corporations, government, health sector, local clubs, etc. Other responses focused on the need to engage the public to build support. Lastly, several responses cited legislation and policy as important to securing the long-term vision.

Question 3:

What collective tools does the partnership as a whole require to achieve the long term goal? E.g. User Survey, Design Guidelines, Signage Programs, senior government funding opportunities, Partners Meeting (learn and share)?

The most commonly sited tools required to achieve the long-term goal are partnership tools/resources such as: learn and share programs, updated guidelines, GPS map tools, partners meetings, and champions of the cause. This was followed by trail promotion and marketing. Finally, funding and land were cited.

Question 4

General Points/Comments:

Various suggestions were put forward. They have been organized into the broad categories: communications/promotions; trail infrastructure/features/maintenance; process and champions. To download the detailed discussion results in pdf format, click here.

DISCUSSION #2

Question 1

Does there continue to be a value-added to a collaborative communications and promotions program to create trail-wide resources such as the website, signage programs, brochures, coordinated by the Trust with cost-sharing by the partners?

13 out of 14 responses stated that there is a value-added to the CCPP (one table checked both "yes" and "no," stating that it is not always a top priority). Benefits cited include marketing, education, creating connections among communities and ensuring consistency in guidelines and standards. Several of the survey participants suggested that there should be cost-sharing with senior government, tourism/economic development and local businesses.

Question 2.1

Is there a value in mounting an annual, mulit-community, trail-wide event?

100% of participants responded that there is a value to such an event. The benefits most cited include: raising the profile of the Trail, economic benefits for local communities, health benefits, promoting linkages between communities and promoting a province-wide identity. Concerns and suggestions focused on logistics and the need to work closely with municipalities. Other comments suggested timing the tour with local events/festivities, and stressed the importance of marketing and branding.

Question 2.2 a)

Should an objective of such an event be to raise funds for capital projects for the Trail?

The majority of responses (57%) stated that fundraising for capital projects should not be an objective (or not in the first year). 28% said that part of money could go to capital costs but that it should not be the main objective, while 14% said that it should be an objective.

Question 2.2 b)

What other objectives can you identify?

The objectives the most cited were: health/fitness; raise awareness/profile of the Trail; showcase the waterfront; branding; economic spin-off for communities and cultural education.

Question 3

What organization should coordinate such an event?

The majority of responses (85%) stated that the Trust should coordinate the event. Among these responses, the majority suggested that the Trust should work closely with partners and other organizations such as local clubs and special interest groups, a major healthy partner, tourism organizations, etc.

Question 4

Should there be any other trail-wide resources? Ex Travel magazines, guides, etc?

A variety of suggestions were put forward. They have been organized into the following broad categories: resources for Trail users; resources for partners; and promotional opportunities for the Trust. To download the complete list of results in pdf format, click here.

Next steps...

In the coming months, the Trust will continue to work closely with our partners to incorporate the suggestions from the conference discussions.

Annual Event:

With a signed route now available the partners feel strongly that it is the time to promote the communities along the Trail and the Trail itself through an annual event. Such an event would be a key opportunity to promote the trail as an important piece of green infrastructure that supports healthy environments and healthy lifestyles. We are currently exploring the possibility of a Trail-wide event to take place in the summer of 2008.

Infrastructure Funding:

Our partners believe it is important to continue the investment in the Trail with the goal of bringing the trail off-road and as close to the water as possible. The three priorities that emerged are:

• closing gaps
• establishing north/south connections, and
• adding enhancements and facilities

The Trust currently has a portfolio of 34 future projects from our partners, which we are using to develop the next application for infrastructure funding.

Collaborative Communications and Promotions Program

The discussion results clearly indicate that our partners continue to see value in the Collaborative Communications and Promotions Program, which includes the website, signage and brochure development. This indicates that the Trust should continue to coordinate resources in this regard.

Speaker Presentations:

Over the course of the day on September 19th, we heard from a variety of knowledgable and inspiring speakers on a wide range of topics.

1. Making the Connections on the Waterfront Trail and Greenway
Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust

Marlaine Koehler's presentation summarized some of the Trust's milestones and accomplishments to date and discussed future plans and goals for the organization.

2. What if we Built our Waterfronts Around Places?
Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces, New York

Fred Kent looked at some cities that have created the world’s best waterfront public spaces, as well as some who still have a lot of work ahead of them. He discussed the inspiration and practical tools required to create great places on the water that embody the assets and aspirations of their cities.

Please contact David Arcus at (416) 943-8080 or da@wrtrust.com to obtain a copy of the presentation slides.

3. Preparing for the Next Wave: Sustaining the Vision
Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies

Joe Berridge's presentation reminded us of the importance of preserving natural spaces along the waterfront and providing opportunities for serenity and nature appreciation.

Due to the large file size, this presentation could not be posted on our website. Please contact David Arcus at (416) 943-8080 or da@wrtrust.com to obtain a copy of the presentation slides.

4. Adriaan Geuze, Founder, West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture

Adriaan Gueze's presentation showcased West 8's award winning design for the central Toronto waterfront, which will transform the area between Bathurst and Parliament Streets into a vibrant place for
people with a unique and distinctive identity that captures deeply-held Canadian values for its natural heritage.

Presentation slides not available

5. Keynote speaker, T.J. Juskiewicz, RAGBRAI organizer

RAGBRAI: The “Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa,” is a 35-year old family cycling event, which begins at the Missouri River and ends by dipping front wheels in the Mississippi. During the 7-day ride, participants take in community events hosted by communities large and small along the 640 km route. This fundraiser attracts 10,000 registered participants. T.J. Juskiewicz described the history of the event from its humble beginnings and discussed some of the organizational aspects and benefits of running such an event.

Due to the large file size, this presentation could not be posted on our website. Please contact David Arcus at (416) 943-8080 or da@wrtrust.com to obtain a copy of the presentation slides.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Multi-community Event Programming

Presentations from the afternoon's panel members focused on different aspects of multi-community event programming. We also heard from representatives from the Seaway Trail and Lake Erie Coastal Ohio, two neighbouring trail organizations offering possible opportunities for collaboration on multi-trail events.

6. Gil Penalosa, Executive Director, Walk & Bike for Life spoke of the importance of creating a culture of active living and described succesful events such as Ciclovia in Bogata, Columbia, where some of the most important roads are closed to cars every Sunday and holidays.

Due to the large file size, this presentation could not be posted on our website. Please contact David Arcus at (416) 943-8080 or da@wrtrust.com to obtain a copy of the presentation slides.

7. Teresa Mitchell, Executive Director, The Seaway Trail gave an overview of the Seaway Trail's history and discussed their current programs and features. The Seaway Trail is a 454-mile scenic route paralleling Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

8. Joëlle Sévigny, La Route Verte spoke about La Grande Tour, an annual 7-day cycling tour which draws 2,000 cyclists.

9. Scott Carpenter, President, Lake Erie Coastal Ohio described the vision and mandate of Lake Erie Coastal Ohio and described the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, a 290 km scenic byway which follows the Lake Erie coastline.

10. Justin Lafontaine, Project Lead and Founder, Toronto-Niagara Bike Train described the succesful pilot year of the Bike Train initiative which saw the introduction of bike racks onboard select VIA Rail Canada departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls in the summer of 2007.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Founding sponsor:

• CIBC

Gold:

• Heart and Stroke Foundation

Silver:

• MMM Group

Bronze:

• Toronto Hydro Corporation

Supporting Sponsors:

• City of Mississauga
• City of Pickering
• Waterfront Toronto
• Epson
• Ontario Power Generation
• Petticoat Creek Conservation Area
• Lake Erie Coastal Ohio
• Lakefront Promenade Public Marina