About The Waterfront Regeneration Trust

Our Philosophy

We believe the Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River waterfronts are not isolated stretches along the shore, but part of a connected ecosystem, which includes the environment (air, land, water, and all living organisms, including humans), economy, society and history of every community that's involved.
We also believe we are responsible for our actions … both to ourselves and to other people, generations, and species.

Our Goal

Our goal is to make sure people can get to the water; and that the water is worth getting to.

Our Standards

We believe that the public wants the waterfront to be the following: clean, green, accessible, connected, open, useable, diverse, affordable and attractive. Therefore, everything that we - and our partners - do is measured against these standards.

Our Approach

We will integrate all elements of the ecosystem and involve all aspects of the community. We will take part in urban and rural activities at local, regional, national, and international levels. Respecting natural (rather than political) boundaries, we will acknowledge the waterfront's links to other Great Lakes, watersheds, homes, and businesses. The solutions we arrive at must work today, and a hundred years from today.

We will work with municipalities, conservation authorities, senior levels of government, community and service groups, landowners and homeowners to implement the Lake Ontario Greenway Strategy. The Strategy provides a context for setting priorities, guidance on ways to achieve a shared vision, and an information base to assist decision-making.

The Waterfront Trail and Greenway is the backbone of the Strategy and its completion, enhancement and promotion are a priority for the Waterfront Regeneration Trust.

Our Mandate

1. Expand and enhance the Waterfront Trail and Greenway

• Eliminate the remaining gaps in the Trail to create a seamless, connected trail from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border. Faciltiate and support connections from the Waterfront Trail into community neighbourhoods and to the Province's other signature Trails such as the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail.
• Expand our Waterfront Network so its members can serve as local custodians of the Trail and Greenway.

2. Promote the Waterfront Trail and Greenway

• Promote the healthy lifestyle of the Trail to local residents and visitors alike by taking part in regional media and marketing efforts. The backbone of our promotional campaign is the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure - an annual supported cycling event which covers the length of the Waterfront Trail in 8 days.

3. Engage the public in the work of regeneration

• Launch innovative public engagement programs such as the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure to build people's understanding of and support for the work that is transformiong the waterfront.
• Create useful tools to serve as resource for waterfront trail users. Examples include the Mapbook, web-based itineraries and maps.