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News Release: |
November
26, 1997
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Lake Ontario's Waterfront Recognized for its Contribution to Waterfront Excellence
David Crombie presents award on behalf of the Waterfront Center to over 100 partners
TORONTO, Wednesday November 26 - At the annual Waterfront Partners meeting held this year at the Harbourfront Community Centre, David Crombie, chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, congratulated Lake Ontario communities for their excellent work on the Waterfront Trail. The Waterfront Trail, the Humber River Bicycle/ Pedestrian Bridge and the Rattray Marsh were all honoured by the Waterfront Centre based in Washington D.C. for their contribution to waterfront excellence.
The Waterfront Trail and the Humber Bridge won in the Park/Walkway/ Recreational category. The Rattray Marsh Protection Association received the Clearwater Award recognizing the outstanding efforts of an individual or non-profit citizens' organization working at the grassroots level for the betterment of their community and its waterfront.
The Waterfront Center is a non-profit organization that promotes urban waterfront enhancement. Its awards program was launched in 1987 and is open to entries throughout the world. The Waterfront Centre presented the prestigious award and medal to the Trust at the annual Urban Waterfronts conference held in October in Baltimore.
David Crombie with the help of Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre presented each partner with a certificate which listed the 120 municipalities, conservation authorities, businesses, community groups and governments who made the Waterfront Trail a reality.
"The jury was impressed by the extent of the partnerships and the speed of our progress. For example, Baltimore has a beautiful waterfront that they have been working on for over 30 years, but only seven kilometres of public trail have been created. Together we have created 325 kilometres of Trail in four years, " said David Crombie. "This award belongs to everyone - those who made it possible and the public whose support and enthusiasm will keep the momentum going as we continue the work of regeneration."
The result of over 80 partnerships, the Waterfront Trail symbolizes a new relationship of respect and stewardship between people and their lake. It has become a catalyst for environmental clean-up, habitat restoration, protection of natural and cultural heritage, sensitive design of new developments, healthy recreation, tourism and local economic development. The result is community involvement, community investment and community pride in steady progress toward regenerated waterfronts.
Hosted by the Trust, the Waterfront Partners meeting is an annual forum for waterfront communities, enthusiasts and supporters to share their successes and plans. Each year, the Trust showcases accomplishments around the Lake. Among the topics included in this year's presentation were: the exciting changes coming to the downtown Toronto waterfront as a result of private sector investment; the new community group committed to the clean-up of Toronto Bay; and the extension of the Waterfront Trail into the Niagara and Kingston areas.
Lake Ontario waterfront is developing an impressive collection of awards. In addition to the Waterfront Centre awards, many Lake Ontario projects are earning international and local honours. Recent examples located on the Waterfront Trail include:
| Port Credit Harbour and Village Marina, Mississauga | This juried competition was established 16 years ago. Nominations are judged on their contribution to: City design objectives; the environment within a community; innovation; context and execution. |
| Humber River Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, Toronto | Has won ten design awards including Governor General's Award for Architecture, and Waterfront Center's Annual award of Honour |
| Wyland Mural, Redpath Sugars, Toronto |
Toronto's Best outdoor mural - Third annual NOW ReadersPoll NOW Magazine's 300,000 readers are invited to vote for their favourites in a wide range of categories. |
| Darlington Generating Station, Clarington |
Corporate Habitat of the Year and Rookie of the Year - Wildlife Habitat Council Award U.S.-based Wildlife Habitat Council's Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation program recognizes wildlife habitat management programs and environmental education programs at individual corporate sites around the world. |
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The Waterfront Trail is also the subject of the Canadian best-selling Waterfront Trail Guidebook. In its second printing, the book is available at 100 book stores. For additional information please contact: |
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