Waterfront Trail - Along the Canadian Shores of Lake Ontario

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Fast Facts about the Trail

The Waterfront Trail represents a whole new way of thinking about the Lake Ontario waterfront that emphasizes the links between ecological health, economic vitality, and a sense of community. It has helped inspire people to rediscover and improve the lakeshore, and been part of a transformation of under-utilized and environmentally degraded lands to vibrant places with businesses and jobs, parks and recreational facilities, natural habitats, cultural venues and attractions.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Waterfront Trail:

1. How do I get a map of the Waterfront Trail?
2. I have the 1999 version of the Mapbook, is it still accurate?
3. When was the Waterfront Trail first launched?
4. What area does the Waterfront Trail cover?
5. How long is the Waterfront Trail?
6. Who uses the Waterfront Trail?
7. What are the surface types of the Trail?
8. What are the most suitable sections of the Trail for families?
9 . How can I keep up to date on the happenings of the Waterfront Trail?
10. What are other people saying about the Waterfront Trail?
11. What are the next steps for the Waterfront Trail?
12. How do I make a donation to the Waterfront Regeneration Trust?

Answers:

1. Maps:

1. Maps of the entire Trail (from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Brockville) are available for download. Visit the Trail Maps section.

2.Our new 2007 "Waterfront Trail & Greenway Mapbook" is now available (image on right). This mapbook contains over 80 full-colour maps as well as 8 suggested itineraries for family friendly outings on the Trail. A great resource for Trail users! The price is $29.95 + GST and shipping. Click here to order one online.

3. You can purchase the pocket-sized 1999 Waterfront Trail Mapbook (NOTE: contains Trail maps for Niagara-on-the-Lake to Quinte West only):$9.95 plus tax in Toronto at Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King St West


2. Old Mapbook  
 

The 1999 edition of the mapbook is still a good resource. It shows the trail route from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Trenton, approximately 325 km in 63 maps.

However, there have been many updates and enhancements to the Trail since 1999. Click here to download a PDF file which lists the changes to the Waterfront Trail alignment. It points out the 16 areas where you should check out the webmaps for details on new stretches of Trail.

Of course for the route from Trenton to the Quebec border you have to visit the maps section of our website.

   
3. Launched:  
 
 The first section of the Waterfront Trail, Hamilton to Trenton officially opened in 1995. Since then communities along the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have been working to connect their communities to the Waterfront Trail. In 1996, the Trust extended the Trail to Niagara-on-the-Lake and began signing portions of the Trail east of Quinte West.
   
4. Location:  
 
 The Waterfront Trail stretches from Niagara on the Lake to the Quebec border, along the shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada. The Trail includes:
31 communities
182 parks and natural areas
152 arts and culture heritage attractions
37 major annual waterfront festivals
170 marinas and yacht clubs
   
5. Length:  
 
 780 km (485 miles) designated (signed)
120 km (75 miles) undesignated (signage yet to be installed and/or gaps in alignment)
   
6. Uses:  
 
The Waterfront Trail is a multi-use (pedestrian, cycling, rollerblading) recreation trail that is used by people of all walks of life. The Trail is also used for commuting purposes (24% of Trail users use it to commute regularly).
   

7. Surface Types:

 
 
The surface of the Trail varies by municipality but mainly consists of 30% off road dedicated path and 70% on residential streets or on the shoulders of major roads. Most sections are paved but some areas have gravel or packed limestone. Please check the Profiles section of this website for surface information in each municipality.
 

8. Families:

 

Summer 2007:

The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure has begun! Click on the image on the right to explore an interactive map of the Waterfront Trail.

To help you plan your Great Waterfront Trail adventure, we've put together four itineraries based around waterfront festivals with suggestions for rides, walks and activities for a fun-filled weekend for the whole family.

 

OR...

Try the five, family-friendly trips that are part of "Tastes of Trail". Tastes of the Trail is your start to exploring the the Waterfront Trail. Trips are within a two-hour drive of Toronto and will take no longer than 2 hours to finish. To learn more visit www.waterfronttrail.org/wtsk/default.htm

9. Ezine:

Receive our monthly online newsletter filled with updates on Trail activities and happenings on the Lake Ontario waterfront. To sign up, email your request to info@wrtrust.com and include "Ezine" in the subject heading.

Click here to view the latest issue of the Ezine.

10. Comments:
See what others have said about the trail!

11. Next steps:

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust and its partners (29 principal funding partners, over 30 community partners and Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program) are expanding and enhancing the Trail through 52 projects along the Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara River and Lake Erie. For more details on projects, go to Projects.

12. Donations:

Help us complete the Trail by supporting the Trust's programs and projects and receive a tax receipt. Cheques are payable to the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, 372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1X6.

 


 

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