The Grand Trail Connecting Communities through a Network of Intertwining Land & Water Trails Presentation to Kitchener Council June 12, 2017
The Grand Trails project The Vision The Grand Trails project will connect people and communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences in the Grand River watershed.
The Grand Trails Project To create a network of connected trails following the Grand River and its tributaries From the source in Dundalk Highlands to the mouth at Lake Erie To include existing and new, land and water trails, to form a truly unique recreational experience.
Grand River Watershed Trails CP Trail (Dundalk to Owen Sound) Elora to Cataract Trailway G2G Rail Trail / Kissing Bridge Trail Walter Bean Trail & Grand Trunk Trail Cambridge to Brantford Rail Trail Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail LEGEND Existing Multi-Use Trails Potential Grand River Trail Route Grand Valley Trail Bruce Trail Waterfront Trail T.H. & B. Rail Trail
The Grand Trails Project To include appropriately accessible and serviced destination and experiential trails To connect communities, places of interest and activities. To provide connections to Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay via other major regional trails in line with the Ontario Trail strategy.
Values Develop the Grand River Watershed as a living storybook of adventure by partnering with all stakeholders to re-connect people and communities with the Grand River and each other, through intertwining trails on and off the river.
Values Encourage community-focused cultural, heritage, educational, athletic and spiritual events on and around the river, acknowledging Indigenous connections with the river. Be inclusive of everyone and accessible to people of all ages, interests and abilities in all seasons.
Values Encourage people to live in harmony with the environment by allowing people to interact with nature and educating them about the ecological diversity of the watershed. Encourage research into the heritage and ecology of the watershed
Benefits Improve public health Reduce environmental footprint— encouraging active transportation as opposed to use of cars Increase social capital Improve recreational opportunities Create tourism opportunities
Costs Municipalities will be in charge of their own infrastructure and make decisions regarding investments Project will attract provincial and federal infrastructure investment to fill gaps Signage and way finding Webpage and mapping apps Access points and amenities
The Grand Trail Proposal has been endorsed by: Brant County City of Brantford Haldimand City of Cambridge City of Waterloo Region of Waterloo Six Nations of the Grand Grand Valley Trail Association
We respectfully request Council’s approval in principle for the Grand Trail Project concept. In addition, we would very much appreciate city staff support to work with us to make the Grand Trail a reality and a letter of support for future funding applications.
Questions?