Marlaine Koehler Waterfront Regeneration Trust
Vision The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth, containing 21% of the world’s surface freshwater. In Canada, they are unique to Ontario and one of our most precious resources. The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a charity committed to connecting people to their Great Lakes waterfront and in doing so, engage them in the work to make our Great Lakes waterfront a healthy and vibrant place to live and work. We envision a Great Lakes Waterfront Trail that is complete & connected, an integral part of each ecosystem it passes through, enhancing the environment, economy, society and history of every community that participates in the development and use of the Trail.
Clean | Green | Connected | Affordable | Open | Diverse | Attractive | Useable | Accessible
Expansions
Lake Huron North Channel
2017/2018
Protect. Connect. Celebrate.
2020 Huron County to Espanola and Collingwood
2018
Collingwood to Sudbury
2018 Frontenac Islands
• 3000 km, signed route • 140 communities and First Nations • combination of trails and roads • Signed connections to Greenbelt Route and 13 GO Transit stations
• 3 Great Lakes, 5 bi-national rivers • 3 UNESCO Biospheres, 33 Provincial Parks, 700+ parks, beaches, conservation areas, 100s heritage attractions
Google Trekker Loan Program -100 km of Trail captured for Street View
Improvements
60 km of Provincial Highway improvements invested in Lake Huron North Channel expansion
Thousand Islands Parkway
HamBur Loop
Connections
14 trailheads; 14 info panels; 168 directional signs installed; mapping updated.
Itineraries
Permanent. Protected. Prosperous. Precious. A legacy for the next generation.
Cycle the Greenbelt Route and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in an epic 1,000 km-10 day journey.
Paper Maps and Ride with GPS. Lose some important trail attribute information in the Ride with GPS 1044 rides on “Waterfront Trail� in Ride with GPS
July 28 to August 2, 2019-Cycle the North! Launch the latest expansion from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury. Registration opens in December 2019
GWTA 2008-19 1.Word of Mouth and Web searches 2.Companionship; 36% registered as a single 3.Convenience 4.Confidence (safety; navigation) 5.Cheesy is good. 6.Encourage communities to establish a tradition. Play to strengths and character.
79% Felt safe on the route.
Prioritie s 42% Paved shoulders 28% signs
99%
Trail provides a great cycling
7. Make sure people understand conditions and terrain. 8. Support communities and businesses that support the Trail. Take people off the Trail into towns, to businesses, attractions. 9. Include off-bike activities: swimming, kayaking, zip-lining, yoga, massage, standup paddle board, tours of submarine, lighthouse or museums, Quilt of Belonging, Spirit walking tours, game night. 10. Annotated paper maps + itineraries most popular. 11. Post itineraries and maps as self-guided tours. 12. Demographics-56 to 74
75% Plan to return to the area within 2 years
Baby Boomers • According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s aging population continues to grow and could reach upwards of 10.9 million people by 2036. (70 million in the US) • Many boomers and seniors also continue to strive to achieve something after retirement in terms of self-fulfillment. • Studies show that the baby boomer generation controls about 70% of all disposable income in the U.S • Baby boomers are healthier and more active than their parents • GWTA cyclists want and like having younger people around.
Sharing our Diverse Stories • Ducks Unlimited—Wetland protection and restoration • Blue Flag—Water Quality • Swim Drink Fish Canada— Watermark and Great Lakes Guide • Waterlution—Connecting us to emerging youth leaders • St. Lawrence Parks Commission— Upper Canada Village • Carolinian Canada—Erie Coastal Stewardship Eco Trail
• Parks Canada • Greenbelt Foundation—local food, protected countryside • Chapel of the Mohawks and Kana:ta Village-- Six Nations of the Grand • Buxton National Heritage Site-Underground Railway • Lion’s Club in Morrisburg • Lost Villages in Cornwall
99% Trail as an important part of regenerating the Great Lakes
97% Recommend the GWTA to friends & family.
45% of Ontarians know about the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. 35% know about the Greenbelt Route
Thank you Marlaine Koehler Executive Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
mk@wrtrust.com 416-943-8080