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TORONTO/CNW/ - Waterfront Toronto, together with the
Governments of Canada, Ontario and City of Toronto, officially
opened the newly revitalized Martin Goodman Trail at Ontario
Place today. The new 1.3 kilometre, tree-lined trail section is
a critical new link in the 56 kilometre Martin Goodman Trail
which provides opportunities for alternative modes of travel
across the waterfront in a safe and attractive environment.
Designed by leading landscape architects Janet Rosenberg and
Associates, the newly created stretch of multi-use trail runs
parallel to Lake Shore Boulevard through Ontario Place from
Marilyn Bell Park to Coronation Park at Strachan Avenue. It
creates a new "front door" to Ontario Place and it also enhances
the everyday function of the major destination by providing a
safe and direct route through the park for cyclists that is
separated from car traffic.
"Martin Goodman Trail is a great resource for the people of the
GTA and our government is proud to contribute to this project.
It will improve both access to the trail and safety for the
general population's use of it," said Minister Flaherty. "This
revitalization helps improve the beauty and quality of life in
our already great region."
Safety for users has been enhanced by visually separating
pedestrian crossings from designated bike crossings using
state-of-the-art bicycle signals. The attractive and functional
trail is barrier-free and accommodates a wide range of
recreational activities.
Waterfront Toronto's redesign of the trail has converted 8,000
square metres of Ontario Place parking lots into green space for
The Martin Goodman Trail. The new trail is 4.5 metres wide and
framed by 161 newly planted native, hardwood trees.
"Today's opening of the Martin Goodman Trail at Ontario Place
marks another significant milestone for the redevelopment of
Toronto's waterfront," said the Honourable George Smitherman,
Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. "We
are reinvigorating a new gateway to one of Ontario's most
popular tourism attractions and at the same time, linking
Torontonians to another avenue for active living. It is smart
design with environmental benefits."
Sustainability plays an important role in the new Martin Goodman
Trail at Ontario Place. A storm-water management system was
incorporated to allow run-off rainwater from the trail to
irrigate adjacent green space and aid in the support of the
growth of mature trees. Mature trees help to create the desired
park-like setting and reduce the heat island effect of adjacent
paved roads and parking lots.
"Almost a quarter-century after his death at just 46 years of
age, Martin Goodman's name on this waterfront trail is
synonymous with green and healthy urban amenities," said Mayor
David Miller. "This 1.3 kilometre upgrade will bring the western
and eastern ends of the Trail together and will allow the City
and Waterfront Toronto to ensure the Trail continues to be one
of Canada's premier public recreational and waterfront
destinations."
Waterfront Toronto has also enhanced access to Ontario Place for
parking and passenger drop-offs, thereby improving safety for
both users of the Martin Goodman Trail and vehicular traffic by
constructing a new signalized entrance to Ontario Place and
revamping two existing entrances.
"As part of our revitalization strategy, this project
contributes to the beautification and greening of Ontario
Place's main entrances along Lake Shore Boulevard," said John
Tracogna, Ontario Place General Manager. "The expansion supports
healthy and active living, while providing pedestrians, cyclists
and joggers with safer routes that connect to the Martin Goodman
Trail."
Giving people more access to the waterfront is a key priority
for Waterfront Toronto which has already made a number of
improvements to the Martin Goodman Trail. Earlier enhancements
include extending the trail from Lake Shore Boulevard to
Commissioners Street and significant improvements through
Marilyn Bell Park from Jameson Avenue to Ontario Drive.
"The Martin Goodman Trail is a great way to see our city and to
experience the outdoors," said Waterfront Toronto President and
CEO John Campbell. "The trail creates a pathway for people to
enjoy access to the parks and public spaces along Toronto's
waterfront."
Waterfront Toronto's plans include an additional 3,179 metres
for the Martin Goodman Trail from Spadina Avenue to Parliament
Street as part of the Queens Quay revitalization. Future plans
also include extending the trail all along the revitalized
waterfront.
The Martin Goodman Trail is part of the 730 kilometre Waterfront
Trail that connects 41 communities from Niagara to Quebec along
the Canadian Shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
It was named in memory of the former President and
Editor-in-Chief of the Toronto Star who passed away in 1981.
Waterfront Toronto
Since 2005, Waterfront Toronto has completed several parks and
public spaces projects. This year, the organization opened the
Simcoe and Rees WaveDecks. Construction started on Sherbourne
Park in July and will start on Canada's Sugar Beach later this
month. Construction is also underway to support new communities
in the West Don Lands and East Bayfront.
The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto
created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of
Toronto's waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence,
sustainable development, economic development and fiscal
sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.
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