Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail News

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

January 2004

In this issue:

• Lake Ontario - the New Highway?
• CharterAbility
• Fast Ferry Service to Rochester
• Preserving Access for Pedestrians and Cyclists on the Queenston Lewiston Bridge
• A Giant Lawn Sale on the Waterfront Trail

Attachments:
Queenston Letter.doc

There are some exciting initiatives in the works to establish a new transportation corridor on Lake Ontario while also improving public
access to the waterfront.

CharterAbility

A new community-based charitable organization called CharterAbility is
working to create barrier-free access to charter boat travel. Led by
President Stephen Cull this Oakville based organization recently
announced plans for a new service to transport people with disabilities
and mobility impairments. The fifty-foot catamaran will safely carry up
to twenty wheel chair passengers and their companions, or up to forty- five individuals with various disabilities without compromising their
comfort and dignity.

The Trust first learned about the project three years ago when Stephen
approached the Trust requesting permission to use Waterfront Trail maps
in its plans. With its close proximity to the GO system, rich variety of
amenities and facilities, the Port Credit section of the Waterfront
Trail offered the group an excellent home base. Since that time,
CharterAbility has developed into a registered charity blessed with
passionate and talented volunteers committed to realizing this ambitious
project. The launch date of the new charter service is set for take-off
this summer from Port Credit Harbour.

CharterAbility is relying on strong community and corporate support to
ensure a successful launch. For more information or for details about
the sponsorSHIP Program please contact Stephen Cull (905-844-7208,
myipo@sympatico.ca).

Fast Ferry Service to Rochester

In the October ezine we told you about tentative plans for a ferry
service connecting Toronto to Rochester, New York. At that time it was
undecided as to whether Toronto would be building the terminal on this
side of the boarder in time for the launch date of May 1, 2004. It
appears now that these plans will be realized. In a recent Toronto Star
article it was announced that the Toronto Port Authority is proceeding
with construction to build a passenger terminal on Cherry Street. It is
anticipated that the new ferry service will provide both sides of the
border with new economic development and tourism opportunities while
also encouraging people to visit the waterfronts in these lake port
cities.

The Ferry will provide another connection between the Lake Ontario
Waterfront Trail and the Seaway Trail, which will be of benefit
to increase our exposure to cyclists and tourists. We are working with the
Seaway Trail folks to develop some joint marketing and promotion
opportunities which we intend to tie into the Ferry promotion and
marketing. Our promotional focus will highlight the border connections
between the US and Canada and our web site information base.

Facts about the Ferry:

-Travel time between the two ports: 2 hours, 15 minutes
-Frequency of travel: twice daily, three times daily during peak tourist
season
-Cost (one way): $32 for walk-ons, $50 per car, $25/person inside car,
children are free
-Capacity: 775 passengers, 238 cars - an estimated 680,000 people per
year
-Ferry Amenities: three movie theatres, in-seat satellite TV, wireless
Internet, restaurants, duty-free shopping and a children's play area
-Bicycles are permitted on the ferry, the cost is $10 one-way.
For more information check out their web site at www.spiritofontario.com

Preserving Access for Pedestrians and Cyclists on the Queenston Lewiston
Bridge

The Queenston Lewiston Bridge is an important link in both the
Waterfront Trail and Greater Niagara Circle Route and would be lost if
the proposed Bridge/plaza design (Alternative 4) were implemented. The
Regional Planning Department, the Trust, the Regional Niagara Cycling
Committee and the Toronto Bicycling Committee were among the
organizations calling for revisions that maintain access to the bridge for pedestrian and cycling traffic pointing out that the Bridge is significant international gateway that will play an important role in the growing cycling tourism.

Attached to this Ezine is the Trust's letter supporting the Regional
Niagara Planning Department's recommendations and comments on the
proposed improvements to Highway 405, the Stanley Ave. Bridge and
Queenston Lewiston Bridge and Plaza: Queenston Letter.doc

A Giant Lawn Sale on the Waterfront Trail

Pat Eisenberg from Lawnsales is organizing the first annual Longest Lawnsale along the Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake portion of the Waterfront Trail. On May 15th and 16th from Niagara Falls to Toronto, residents as well as charitable organizations and businesses will be holding events ranging from garage sales to yard sales to craft shows.

For more information about this upcoming event please contact Pat
Eisenburg (416-782-1647, pateisenberg@lawnsales.net) or visit the
website at www.lawnsales.net

Cheers!
Vicki Barron, Executive Director;
Marlaine Koehler, Program Director;
and Nikki Rendle, 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

Purchase your copy of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail Mapbook at Mountain Equipment Co-op (400 King Street West) and Sporting Life Stores in Toronto (1-877-772-2262 to find a store location near you).

Thank You to our Supporters!:

• CIBC
• The Lake Ontario waterfront municipalities, conservation authorities and community groups
• The Eastern Lake Ontario­St.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 Canadian Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) for its generous support of the 51 projects that comprise the Lake Ontario Waterfront Investment Program.