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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-046 - Grand Trails Project REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee th DATE OF MEETING: June 12, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee PREPARED BY: Jonn Barton, Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Project Manager, 519-741- 2600, ext. 4152 WARD (S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: May 28, 2017 REPORT NO.: INS-17-046 SUBJECT:Grand Trails Project __________________________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That Council endorse the Grand Trails Project in principle, as per the City of Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee resolution of February 14, 2017. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The vision of the Grand Trails Project is to connect people and communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences in the Grand River watershed. A representative of the Grand Trail Project, Ms. Anne Crowe, attended the February 14, 2017 meeting of the Kitchener Cycling and Trails Committee (KCTAC) to provide information on the project and to request support for the initiative. KCTAC passed a resolution in support of the initiative and are seeking City of Kitchener Council endorsement of the Grand Trails Project. Appendix A provides the background information provided by Ms. Crowe at the KCTAC meeting and Appendix B provides an excerpt of the KCTAC minutes. BACKGROUND: The Grand Trails project will form a network of connected trails following the Grand River and its tributaries a designated Canadian Heritage River - from the source in the Dundalk Highlands to the mouth of the river at Lake Erie. The network will include existing and new, land and water trails, to form a truly unique recreational experience. It will include appropriately accessible and serviced destination and experiential trails which will connect communities, places of interest and activities. The network will also provide connections to Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay via other major regional trails in line with the Ontario Trail strategy. The project is being led by a Steering Committee made up of watershed representatives including municipalities, cycling organizations, trails associations, tourism organizations, etc. Appendix A provides a list of the organizations that have been involved in the development of the Grand Trails Project. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 6 - 1 The vision and values statement for the Grand Trails Project is: Connecting people and communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences in the Grand River watershed by: creating a story of the Grand as told by all its stakeholders; being inclusive of everyone; encouraging engagement with the existing events and connections on the river; encouraging interaction with the natural environment of the watershed; encouraging research into the heritage and ecology of the watershed. The Grand Trail Project is seeking endorsement from municipal councils to support the project. The endorsement by City of Kitchener Council would be for the conceptin principle of establishing acontinuous trail network through the Grand River Watershed, and linking it through the City of Kitchener.Kitchener will not be required to create new trails, but would support the marketing and wayfinding resources developed by the Grand Trail Project. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: for Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM Report &agenda posted in advance of the June 12 committee meeting. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Cynthia Fletcher, Executive Director, Infrastructure Services Department 6 - 2 APPENDIX A: Grand Trail Project Background Information (from Ms. Anne Crowe) PROJECT BACKGROUND Throughout the Grand River watershed the level of interest for trails and trail development has continued to grow for municipal governments and their citizens alike. For many years there have been localized conversations regarding the potential to develop a trail network along the Grand River. In February 2015 representatives from various trail groups, biking clubs, Regional Tourism Offices, tourism operators, municipal staff and staff from the Grand River Conservation Authority met to explore the possibility of advancing this idea further. The concept presented was that of an inter-connected, multi-use pathway that would follow the Grand River from the source near Dundalk to the mouth at Port Maitland. The trail would connect municipalities while showcasing the natural environment and cultural heritage features of the watershed. Fundamental to the concept was the potential to extend the trail north of Dundalk to Georgian Bay and to link this major north-south trail route with other major regional trail systems such as the Waterfront Trail, the Trans-Canada Trail, the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail, and the Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail. Equally important was the opportunity to link the trail to local commuter and recreational trails. The Grand Trail concept resonated with all attendees and the enthusiasm grew as the discussion continued. There was significant interest to further explore what could be done. On May 5, 2015 a Visioning Session was held with approximately 30 attendees, many of whom attended the first meeting. A large variety of exciting ideas and visions were shared. A list of organizations that have been involved to date is attached as Appendix A.2. VISION AND VALUES STATEMENT A small working group was formed to take the information generated from the Visioning Session and draft a vision, values statement and project description. Vision Statement The Grand Trails project will connect people and communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences in the Grand River watershed. Values Statements 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. Be inclusive of everyone and accessible to people of all ages, interests and abilities in all seasons. Encourage community-focused cultural, heritage, educational, athletic and spiritual events on and around the river, acknowledging Indigenous connections with the river. 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. 6 - 3 Project Description The Grand Trails project will form a network of connected trails following the Grand River and its tributaries a designated Canadian Heritage River - from the source in the Dundalk Highlands to the mouth of the river at Lake Erie. The network will include existing and new, land and water trails, to form a truly unique recreational experience. It will include appropriately accessible and serviced destination and experiential trails which will connect communities, places of interest and activities. The network will also provide connections to Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay via other major regional trails in line with the Ontario Trail strategy. MOVING FORWARD At this time there is no formal structure for this organization. A number of potential models have been considered including: Trust a non-profit, charitable organization similar to the structure used by the Conservancy a non-profit organization that serves as an umbrella organization for local trail clubs similar to the Bruce Trail Conservancy; or Association an association of member municipalities with a common goal and objectives. The structuring organization could be a Foundation similar to the Walter Bean Grand River Trail project. Regardless of the eventual organization structure it is recognized that the fulfilment of the Grand Trail dream can only be accomplished through the participation and partnership of the local and regional municipalities. The Steering Committee recognized it would be valuable to have additional input from senior municipal staff regarding the draft concept paper and possible next steps to move the project forward. A meeting was held on October 8th with representatives from the main municipalities covering the northern, central and southern Grand River watershed. PROPOSAL The response from senior municipal staff members was extremely positive. The group was unanimous in their recommendation that the next step should be to approach local municipalities to explain the project and to seek approval in principle of the trail concept and to authorize their staff to participate in further discussions. The Grand Trail would travel through at least 17 upper and lower tier municipalities. If a trail loop along the Speed River were also included the number of municipalities grows to at least 20. Not all municipalities are at the same stage in the development of their trail infrastructure. In some cases virtually all of the trail system is in place while in others minimal trail development has occurred. The strength of the Grand Trail concept however lies in municipalities working together to create a benefit for all. Completing this project means overcoming the unique challenges found in various areas of the watershed. In order to be successful this project should involve as many municipalities as possible. 6 - 4 addition, we would very much appreciate municipal staff support to work with us to make the Grand Trail a reality and a letter of support for future funding applications. Grand Trail Project Organizations The following is a list of organizations that have been involved in the preliminary discussions regarding a potential Grand Trail: Brant County Brant County Trails Brant Waterways Brantford, City of Centre-Wellington, Township of Grand Experiences Grand River Conservation Authority Grand River Fisheries Committee Grand Valley Trails Association Guelph Hiking Club Haldimand County Ontario Tourism Regional Tourism Office 1 Regional Tourism Office 3 Regional Tourism Office 4 Six Nations Tourism Waterloo, City of Wat. Region Tourism Marketing Corp. Woolwich, Township of 6 - 5 APPENDIX B: Excerpt from the February 14, 2017 KCTAC Meeting Ms. A. Crowe is a part of the steering community for the Grand Trail project and is a member of both the Waterloo and Regional active transportation committees. Ms. Crowe provided a background of the project to the committee. The Grand Trail project will connect people and communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences in the Grand River watershed. This project will help foster a harmony between people and the water while ensuring the network is inclusive to all. The network will include existing and new, land and water trails creating connectivity throughout the Grand River watershed. The project will allow for connections between other external trails systems in line with the Ontario Trail strategy. Ms. Crowe advised the committee that she is seeking support for the project. Kitchener will not be required to create new trails, but adhere to the marketing and wayfinding resources provided by the Grand Trail group. City of Waterloo has endorsed the project and Ms. Crowe and her colleagues will be approaching City of Cambridge and City of Brantford. The next step for the project is to receive grants (e.g. Ontario Trillium Foundation) to develop a more in-depth proposal. The group broke out into discussion and Ms. Crowe answered and acknowledged the following remarks: Ms. Crowe explained that she approached Waterloo for support, not monetary support, but an endorsement to provide when applying for funding from other sources. This is the same endorsement she is looking for from Kitchener. Funding received through the project will help them gain better access to the river, improve the trails, connectors, etc.. Staff endorsed the project and idea as it could raise the priority level of some trail projects in the city. Six Nations of the Grand River have been consulted throughout the project including a member on the steering committee. Ms. Crowe explained that the project will hopefully raise awareness which in turn would improve the maintenance and modification to trails to ensure citizens are able to use the trails with ease. Ms. Crowe hopes that the invested interest and funding will bring more money to the region through tourism, especially cycling tourism. Waterloo Region Tourism has been involved and will be an integral part of the marketing and promotion of the trail. however, citizens will still need to portage around certain obstructions such as dams, but the trails will be improved to ensure this is possible. Timeline: proposal to be created this spring. On a motion by Mr. J. Williams It was resolved: 6 - 6