Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

CIBC* COIP*The Lake Ontario waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups*The Eastern Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Waterfront Working Group MapArt* Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club* Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee St. Lawrence Cement* Tilley Endurables

August 2006

In this issue:

• Starter’s Kits to be Featured on Breakfast Television
• Thank You to all Signage Audit Volunteers
• Quay to the City Survey
• Ajax Celebrates Trail Completion
• Hamilton Develops Trails Master Plan
• Update on Clean Water Act

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

• Pickering Sign Unveiling
• The Lung Association’s 8th Annual BikeTREK
• Great GTA Circle Hike
  

Starter’s Kits to be Featured on Breakfast Television

We are very excited to announce that the Trust’s own Nikki Rendle will be appearing on Breakfast Television on City TV on the morning of Monday August 28th, 2006 to promote the Waterfront Trail and the “Tastes of the Trail” Starter’s Kits, which were introduced by the Trust earlier this year. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Trust to reach a very large audience: Breakfast Television is Toronto’s number one morning show with over 1.2 million weekly viewers in Toronto and 1.6 million weekly viewers in Ontario (source: CHUM Television, Fall 2005).

The Starter’s Kits were developed to provide Trails users and potential users with options for family-friendly trips along the Trail. Within the kits are itineraries and maps for five different trips, all on off-road trails or quiet residential streets. Each itinerary lists staging areas and suggested rest stops, and has an event or attraction close to its destination.

The Trust has received overwhelmingly positive feedback so far from people who have used the Starter’s Kits and we are excited for the opportunity to get the word out about the kits to such a large audience.

You can find an online version of the Starter’s Kit on our website (www.waterfronttrail.org - just click on the icon in the top left corner that reads “Get Started on the Waterfront Trail”). Please be sure to give us your feedback and comments about the kits by clicking on “Tell us about your trip.”

If you would like a hard copy of the kit, please contact David Arcus at (416) 943-8080 or info@wrtrust.com.

Be sure to watch Nikki on BT, Monday Aug 28th, between 7am and 9am.

Thank you to All Signage Audit Volunteers

In our commitment to provide a positive experience to trail users, the Waterfront Trust undertook a directional signage audit this summer from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Brockville. We called on the help of trail users in each local community to ride the trail and record the signage deficiencies. The results of these audits will provide unbiased information from a trail user's perspective as to how well people are able to find their way along the Trail.

We had a tremendous response with over 30 volunteers who on their own time performed an audit section! Many of the volunteers expressed their love for the trail but their frustration with the lack of clear, consistent signage in many areas.

Nikki Rendle, manager of this project is currently reviewing the submissions. The results will be used as a basis for identifying local signage needs and will be distributed directly to each waterfront municipality.

The Trust would like to gratefully acknowledge the following volunteers for their hard work and dedication on this project (in no particular order):

• Amy Wiener and Deborah Robert
• Ken Forgeron
• John Branderhorst
• Members of the Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club:
  • Paul Pattison
  • John Fisher
  • Peter Warwick
  • Ron Matsushita
• Members of the Burlington Cycling Committee
  • Gene Wasik
  • John Hearty
• Tom Heath
• Members of the Mississauga Student Trail Checkers:
  • Joseph Botello
  • Johanna Perz
  • Sam Fischer
  • Nadine Saeed
  • Kresimir Nizic
  • Shelia Lucas
• Justin Lafontaine
• Anne Gloger and Susan Phillips
• Dan Shire and Karen McKillop
• Stu Logan
• Jason and Kitty Cross
• Ian Bradshaw
• Tom Chalmers
• Members of the Ganaraska Freewheelers:
  • Brian Hedney
  • Irene Pike
  • Tom Halligan
  • Petra Kennedy
  • John and Barb Hubley
  • Randy Albon
  • Mich Cabardos
  • Melanie Williamson
• Arlene and Marty Winick
• Paul Rappell
• Members of the Eastern Lake Ontario St Lawrence Waterfront Working Group:
  • Ross Forrest
  • Graham Lodge
    

Quay to the City Survey

As many of you may know, downtown Toronto’s waterfront received a dramatic makeover for a short time in August. From August 11-20th, the eastbound lanes of Queens Quay were transformed into a flower garden, picnic lawn and extension of the Waterfront Trail. For 10 days, Torontonians and visitors alike were able to ride or walk from one end of the city to the other on a continuous Waterfront Trail.

The purpose of the Quay to the City celebration was to give residents a taste of what’s to come when the new design for Toronto’s central waterfront is put in place. While there were concerns beforehand that the installation would inconvenience drivers, the reaction from people walking and cycling the stretch seemed overwhelmingly positive. It was a real treat to see so many people of all ages out enjoying Queens Quay on bikes or on foot.

Here are some excerpts from Waterfront Trust Executive Director Vicki Baron’s letter to the Toronto Star:

“The real thrill for me was coming along Queen’s Quay and entering the newly created cycling and pedestrian zone and lawn starting at Spadina Avenue on the western side. At 8:00 am this morning, there were people all over the pedestrian zone; walking, running, cycling and they were of all ages – young children on tricycles wandering about learning how to ride, people with disabilities finally having more space to be able to enjoy the space near the water’s edge.

“Quay to the City energizes the whole atmosphere of the waterfront – even early on a Saturday morning it was clearly a people place.”

“Congratulations to all who made it happen – let’s not loose the momentum!!!”

In order to gauge the public’s response to the temporary installation, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) has posted a survey on their website (www.towaterfront.ca). We urge anyone who enjoyed the Quay to the City transformation to fill out a survey either online or by fax or mail to show your support for this initiative and for the permanent completion of the Waterfront Trail in Toronto. Click here to download a PDF of the survey.

For more information about future plans for Toronto’s central waterfront and to view the winning design from the Central Waterfront Design Competition visit the TWRC’s website at www.towaterfront.ca.

Ajax Celebrates Trail Completion

On August 26th, the Town of Ajax will host Celebrate Ajax by the Lake, an event to mark the completion of the Waterfront Trail in Ajax. The newly completed Trail stretches all the way from Pickering in the west to the Whitby border in the east and comprises 6 km of multi-purpose off-road trail. The completion of the Waterfront Trail in Ajax is sure to be a great enhancement to what is already a fantastic stretch of uninterrupted waterfront.

The Waterfront Trail expansions in Ajax are among the 52 projects that comprise the Trust’s LakeOntario Waterfront Investment Program. Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program will contribute $9.2 million towards the 52 projects, which will be complete by March 2007.

The Celebrate Ajax by the Lake festivities begin at noon on Saturday, August 26th and include walking tours, scavenger hunts and other children’s activities as well as the first ever Taste of Ajax. For more information on the event, visit www.townofajax.com/Page194.aspx.

Hamilton Develops Trails Master Plan

The Open Space Development and Park Planning division of the City of Hamilton, working with various planners, partners and consultant groups, has just released the final draft of the Hamilton Trails Master Plan. The comprehensive document, the result of years of work and public consultations, puts forth a plan for a city-wide, integrated network of off-road recreational trails linking natural areas, cultural features and major land use destinations in the City of Hamilton. The proposed network builds on existing trails, recommending upgrades and additions to enhance the system. It is meant to act as a framework to guide future trail planning and construction projects.

The Master Plan is currently in the consultation process. A version of the Master Plan containing the ward maps with proposed trail additions and chapters 4 and 5 of the document is available for download from www.hamilton.ca/openspace. For more information or to give feedback on the document, contact Steve Barnhart, project manager, at sbarnhar@hamilton.ca or (905) 546-2424 x 2347.

Thanks to Steve Barnhart for kindly providing us with this information.

Update on Clean Water Act

In the January 2006 ezine we provided an update including the Trust’s comments on the Environmental Bill of Rights posting. The legislation has now been introduced in the House and is the subject of Hearings of the Standing Committee (during the week of August 21). The WRT was one of 16 citizens and environmental groups who worked together to develop a Joint Statement on the proposed legislation. The Joint Statement suggests 7 improvements to the Act. The Clean Water Act is essential for both public health and regenerated watersheds and waterfronts.

Click here to view a copy of the Joint Statement. For more information on the source water protection initiatives go to www.thewaterhole.ca. This is an excellent website to get background information on the development of this legislation as well as the comments and input of the coalition of Ontario's Environmental NGO’s.

Upcoming Conferences and Community Events:

Pickering Sign Unveiling

On Aug 26, 2006, the City of Pickering will be unveiling a new trailhead sign at Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park. The sign is one of two developed by the City of Pickering to give background on local trail names.

The August 26th unveiling event will be followed by a free barbecue hosted by the Yacht Club. Members of the public are invited to join the festivities by walking or riding their bikes at the event.

For more information, visit the city’s event calendar at
www.cityofpickering.com/standard/lifestyle/events/main.html or contact Shawna Mutton, Coordinator, Community Capacity Building at (905) 420-4660 ext. 2170 or Councillor Maurice Brenner at (905) 420-4605.

The Lung Association’s 8th Annual BikeTREK

Megan Coughlin from the Lung Association has kindly provided us with the following information about their upcoming BikeTREK event:

Come ride with us!
Come cycle with us and enjoy the beauty of autumn while raising funds to support The Lung Association’s efforts to improve lung health. Join us in this 2 day cycling event during the weekend of September 16th and 17th, 2006. Cycle east along picturesque Hwy 2 and the Thousand Islands, through Brockville, the historic hamlet of Maitland, through Prescott to Iroquois then along the beautiful Lakeshore Dr. to Morrisburg. The ride will take us along quiet country roads through a rich farmland belt in Leeds County. On Sunday we will cycle west back to Gananoque, completing a distance of over 230km.

This year we’ve added a NEW feature for cyclists who would prefer a shorter distance. The remaining 116 km divided amongst 4 checkpoints on Day 2 can either be accomplished individually or through a team approach of up to 4 cyclists. Cyclists wanting to take advantage of this option are still allowed to stay overnight on Saturday and enjoy the entertainment, and will only have to meet a fundraising goal of $200.00. Gather friends and family and join together in the fight against lung disease.

For a $75.00 fee and a fundraising goal of $350.00 your TREK includes:
• Check Point refreshments and meals
• Overnight accommodations
• Detailed road map, itinerary and well marked route
• A support vehicle to carry personal gear
• Massage
• Medical and mechanical support
• Entertainment (Saturday Night)

For more information you can contact The Lung Association toll free at 1.866.534.5514, e-mail us at 1000islands@on.lung.ca, or you can visit our website at www.on.lung.ca, and follow the path to The Lung Association’s BikeTREK in Kingston.

Or if you are interested, you can register online at:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/LoginRegister.aspx?EventID=7014&LangPref=en-CA

Great GTA Circle Hike

Join Todd Bardes and Harold Sellers on a 550km trek along the Waterfront Trail, Bruce Trail and Oak Ridges Morraine Trail and Trans Canada Trail. 31 easy day hikes will circumnavigate the Greater Toronto Area. Each hike is between 10-15 km and is designed for new and beginning hikers/walkers to learn more about hiking, clothing, equipment and food while hiking. This series of hikes offers an excellent opportunity to discover and experience various trails around Toronto, which pass through both urban and rural settings. Dates for fall hikes are Sept 16 & 17, Sept 30 & October 1 (Hike Ontario Day), October 21 & 22 and November 11 & 12.

Since space on the trek is limited, pre-registration is required. Reservations can be emailed to tb_hiker@hotmail.com. The full hiking details and starting point will be e-mailed to all those registered hikers/walkers.

Membership in the Bruce Trail Association or Oak Ridges Trail Association or a $10 donation to Hike Ontario is required. Thanks to Hike Ontario for providing us with this announcement.

Cheers!

Vicki Barron, Executive Director;
Marlaine Koehler, Program Director;
Nikki Rendle, Project Manager;
and David Arcus, Editor Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust
372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1X6
Tel: 416-943-8080
Fax: 416-943-8068
Email: nr@wrtrust.com
www.waterfronttrail.org

Visit www.waterfronttrail.org to download 90 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 Ontario St.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.