Proposal for a Joint City of Toronto/City of Mississauga

Project for a Bicycle/Pedestrian Path from the

Waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends:

(1)the adoption of the recommendations of the Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, embodied in the following communication (June 6, 1998) from the City Clerk; and

(2)that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to review:

(a)the action required to implement the proposed joint bicycle/pedestrian path as quickly as possible;

(b)the design guidelines for the proposed path prior to its construction, in order to ensure that all environmentally sensitive areas are avoided; and

(c)the current partnerships with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and other Agencies, Boards and Commissions;

and submit a report thereon to the Urban Environment and Development Committee:

Recommendations:

The Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee at a joint meeting on May 25, 1998, recommended to the Urban Environment and Development Committee that, in co-operation with the City of Mississauga, the City of Toronto plan and develop a continuous bicycle/pedestrian path from the waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West; and further, that:

(1)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to:

(a)participate in a 1999 study with the City of Mississauga, including study funding (share of funding to be determined), subject to available funding (study would address feasibility of proposal and would be a Master Plan/Pre-Design Level, and include alternatives, project costing and recommended phasing);

(b)indicate a program for improvements to the existing bicycle paths in the Etobicoke Creek to be considered and budgeted for implementation in 1999, including:

-trail widening (e.g., where less than three metres wide);

-trail relocation (e.g., where conflicts exist with other park uses); and

-trail signage (e.g., in parks and on roads leading to parks showing direction, distance, destinations, etc.);

(c)budget for and complete (preferably in 1999) a bicycle/pedestrian trail extension connecting through Centennial Park from the existing trail system to meet ElmcrestPark either at the termination of the existing Elmcrest Park, or at an extended Elmcrest Park at Rathburn Road, or at Canerouth Drive or Ivybridge Drive;

(d)investigate the feasibility of developing a bicycle/pedestrian trail linking existing parks and crossing under Dundas Street and under the Queen Elizabeth Way; and

(e)complete the trail system along the Etobicoke Creek, in conjunction with the City of Mississauga, so that it extends uninterrupted from the waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West, with the timing to be determined by the two cities (the preference is to complete this work as a Millennium Project, or as a high priority as soon as possible thereafter, but shall not be longer than four years); and

(2)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to determine the feasibility of on-road or on-boulevard bicycle lanes to connect:

(a)the parks, including a signage program (streets include Bissett Street, Evans Road, The West Mall, the West Mall Crescent, Neilson Drive, Canerouth Drive/Ivybridge Drive); and

(b)the West Dean/Echo Valley Park System to the Bloordale Park North System along Burnhamthorpe Road, or a parallel road system, including a signage program.

Background:

The Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee had before them a communication dated May 8, 1998, from Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network/Bicycle Planning Sub-Committee, forwarding the report of the Technical and Field Work Committee (MCAC) dated November 18, 1997, respecting the Etobicoke Creek as a potential route in the City of Mississauga's long-term master plan of pedestrian and cycling routes and the City of Toronto's participation in such project.

Mr. John Sabiston, Chair, Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee, appeared before the Committees in connection with the foregoing matter.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (August21, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:

Purpose:

To provide background information respecting the proposed bicycle/pedestrian path along EtobicokeCreek between the Waterfront and Eglinton Avenue West.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Any funds required for participation in a study to determine the trail alignment and sequence of development are being considered as part of the 1999 budget request by the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Background:

The Metropolitan Toronto Parks and Culture Department retained a consultant in 1994 to identify possible trail alignments in the Etobicoke Creek area. In 1997 the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee reviewed the trail alignments proposed by the consultant and identified alternate alignments located partially in Mississauga.

At their joint meeting on May 25, 1998 the Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee heard a presentation by the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee respecting the proposed Etobicoke Creek area trail. As a result, the cycling committees recommended to the Urban Environment and Development Committee that, in co-operation with the City of Mississauga, the City of Toronto plan and develop a continuous bicycle/pedestrian path from the waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West along Etobicoke Creek.

Discussion:

Parks planning staff and Economic Development, Culture and Tourism staff met recently with Mississauga staff regarding joint development of the proposed trail. There is general agreement that trail development should be cost-shared by Toronto and Mississauga and that a cost-sharing formula should reflect the alignment of the trail. The original 1994 study is still relevant; however, it will need to be supplemented to address a more extensive area and some additional possibilities for trails that have emerged since its completion. Any funds required for the Toronto share of such a supplemented study would be addressed as part of the 1999 budget request by the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department.

Development of this proposed trail should also be considered within the context of a comprehensive cycling plan for the City which will be developed over the next year in consultation with the Toronto Cycling Committee and other interested parties.

Staff of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department have reviewed this report.

Conclusion:

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism staff have begun discussion with Mississauga staff for a joint Toronto-Mississauga project to plan the proposed trail extensions and improvements.

Contact Name:

Mr. Daniel Egan, City Hall Office, 392-1143, e-mail: degan@city.toronto.on.ca.

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Mr. Bohdan Kowalyk, Etobicoke, appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

(A copy of the communication dated May 8, 1998, from Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network/Bicycle Planning Sub-Committee, referred to in the foregoing communication dated June6, 1998, from the City Clerk, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)