Niagara River Recreation Trail Greenbelt Route Mobile Workshop May 5th, 2014

The Niagara Parks Commission: Our History •  Established in 1885 as an agency of the Provincial Government •  Operates under authority of the Niagara Parks Act •  To protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency • 

Ontario’s Niagara Parks – PRESERVING a rich heritage, CONSERVING natural wonders, INSPIRING people, worldwide!

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Our Area of Responsibility •  53 km of Recreational Trail and 56 km of scenic Parkway from Fort Erie in the south to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the north •  1,325 hectares of land along the entire Niagara River corridor

Who is Niagara Parks •  Niagara Parks –  Handles its own capital and maintenance projects –  Continues to improve visitor experience –  Manages facility maintenance, policing, road works, parklands, play areas, waste management, buses, …. •  NPC operates like a City but must do it on a selfsufficient basis: … without a property tax base or operational funding from government •  Revenues raised through attractions, restaurants, parking lots, gift shops, rentals and lease fees. 4  

Environmental Conservation •  Preserve, Conserve and Inspire –  Significant stewardship responsibilities – to conserve the natural elements, preserve heritage –  Valuable asset to both province and community •  Key Tourism Destination/Quality of Life •  Inherent value of Park system to area municipalities and its impact on property assessments –  Major Project Green partnerships and initiatives such as •  UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve •  Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System •  Spare the Air (Anti-Idling) •  Niagara River Restoration Partnership

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Niagara River Recreation Trail •  53 km of paved trail running parallel to the Niagara River. •  Extends nearly the entire peninsula- from Fort George in NOTL to Fort Erie. •  Built in 1986 •  Shared use trail for nonmotorized trail users. •  Portions shared with motorized vehicles and traverse public roadways and private driveways.

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Trail Networks

•  The Niagara River Recreation Trail is part of and links to several trail networks

Making the Connection

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Along the Trail: Memorable Attractions –  –  –  –  –  – 

Journey Behind the Falls Butterfly Conservatory White Water Walk Whirlpool Aero Car Niagara’s Fury Sir Adam Beck Generating Station Tours –  Hornblower Boat Tour –  Golf (72 Holes)

Along the Trail: Cultural Heritage –  Over 100 Historic Plaques & Monuments –  Chippawa Battlefield Park –  Laura Secord Homestead –  Mackenzie Newspaper Museum –  McFarland House –  Old Fort Erie –  Oak Hall

Along the Trail: Culinary Delights •  Cafes and Restaurants –  Elements on the Falls –  Edgewaters Tap and Grill –  Table Rock Welcome Centre – Quick Service –  Queenston Heights Restaurant –  Riverview Family Buffet –  Whirlpool Restaurant –  Butterfly Café –  Legends on the Niagara Clubhouse

Along the Trail: Gardens and Parks –  –  –  –  –  – 

Botanical Gardens Floral Clock Queen Victoria Park Queenston Heights Park Kings Bridge Park Floral Showhouse

Along the Trail: Natural Wonders –  Niagara Falls and Great Gorge –  Niagara Escarpment –  Niagara Glen and Nature Centre –  Whirlpool Woods –  Dufferin Islands –  Important Bird Area

Trail User / Cyclist Friendly –  Bike Rentals –  Bike Racks –  Washroom Access –  Events

Integrated Transportation Options –  Transportation WEGO –  Incline Railway –  GoTrain – Bike Train

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During its operating season, the Bike Train has room for 64 bicycles at a time and runs 3 times daily.

Cyclist Friendly: •  Focusing our efforts –  Registered in 2012 –  24+ Cycle Friendly locations –  Casual dress code at all locations, Bike Racks, washroom access, refreshments, cycling information, etc.

Queenston Heights Park •  Birthplace  of  Niagara  Falls   •  Ba7le  of  Queenston  Heights  –   October  1812   •  Monuments  for  General  Brock   (Parks  Canada)  and  Laura   Secord   •  Southern  Terminus  of  Bruce   Trail  and  Greenbelt  Route   •  AmeniNes  include:  Two  picnic   pavilions,  washrooms,  splash   pad,  tennis  courts,  band  shell,   snack  bar,  playground  and  fine   dining  at  Queenston  Heights   Restaurant.  

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Looking ahead at NPC •  •  •  • 

Trail Signage Trail improvements NPC Cycling Map Improve connection from Chippawa to Rainbow Bridge •  Technology

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Contact Info

 

  Janice Thomson Chair [email protected] 905-356-2241

John Lohuis General Manager [email protected] 905-356-2241

 

 

Mark Dykstra Senior Director, Parks [email protected] 905-353-5410  

Corey Burant Stewardship Coordinator [email protected] 905-356-8554 ext. 263

www.niagaraparks.com

Thank you

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