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Home My WebLink AboutEGD-49-02 t_":.. '-~ UNFINISHED BUSINESS CWJl!gron REPORT ENGINEERING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2002 "])5g'. V P Report #: EGD-49-02 File #: PA.50.01 By-law #: Subject: TRAIL OPPORTUNITIES RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report EGD-49-02 be received for information. Submitted by: ~ Anthony Cannella, C.E.T. Reviewed by: Director of Engineering Services Q i^7U.-LQ~ ~~ nklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer Submitted by: D vi J. Crome, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning Services PW'ASC'ce November 12, 2002 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1 C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-9282 '701 ..'\. '. REPORT NO.: EGD-49-02 PAGE 2 1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT To identify opportunities for the future development of recreational trails. 2.0 BACKGROUND Trails, especially when located in natural areas such as creek valleys, are very popular. They provide recreational opportunities for a broad cross section of users. Trails require no permits, fees, or schedules to use. When they are located close to developed areas trails also provide an escape from the urban environment. They are used as travel routes to and from neighbourhoods, shopping areas, schools, and parks. A comprehensive recreational trail system can also be part of a larger cycling network, combining on-road cycling routes with recreational trails to reduce dependence on the automobile for travel. Multi-use recreational trails are generally the most popular type of trail. They are wide enough to provide two-way travel and have a paved surface for ease of use by bicycles, strollers, in-line skates, maintenance and emergency vehicles. The Clarington Official Plan establishes the framework for creating a system of walking and cycling trails throughout the municipality. It encourages the creation of a regional trail system, including the Waterfront Trail and the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. It also encourages the development of trails that will connect with areas of major activity and employment, and recreational trails that will connect with our parks wherever possible. The Land Acquisition Strategy identifies lands for acquisition in open space areas and along the waterfront within the urban areas. These lands provide excellent locations for trails. The Clarington Waterfront Strategy also encourages the development of spur trails from the Waterfront Trail connecting to urban areas. Site-specific plans have also been developed for the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area and Bowmanville Creek Valley by Valleys 2000. '702 '-.... t ~ REPORT NO.: EGD-49-02 PAGE 3 The Newcastle Waterfront Plan is near completion. The Plan proposes the extension of the Waterfront Trail from the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to the existing trail through the Graham Creek valley and behind the homes on Carveth Drive. Other than the Waterfront Trail and some rural trails, the Municipality has not fully taken advantage of the recreational trail opportunities that exist in Clarington. The Bowmanville Creek and Soper Creek provide excellent opportunities to develop valley trails adjacent to existing developed areas. Based on the worn paths that exist along both creeks these trails would be extremely well used and relatively easy to construct. The trail opportunities included in this report are those with the best potential to be developed in the short term. A comprehensive trail master plan would assist in identifying long term opportunities such as future trail locations, potential linkages, additional land to be acquired, and sources of funding. 3.0 TRAIL FUNCTIONS AND TYPES Trails can have either a recreational or utilitarian function. Recreational trails are generally used for exercise and enjoyment of nature. Utilitarian trails are used by pedestrians and cyclists as routes to an intended destination. Recreational trail systems will usually include two distinct types of trails, primary and secondary trails, both types are described below. This report focuses on opportunities to develop primary recreational trails. 3.1 Primary Trails Multi-use primary trails are typically 3m or wider. They are paved to provide a smooth, dry, and durable travel surface for a variety of recreational uses and occasional vehicular traffic. Benches, waste receptacles and signage would be installed along the primary trail route. Lighting is not recommended along trails in natural areas because it can disrupt '703 "'\ REPORT NO.: EGD.49.02 PAGE 4 wildlife habitat and could lead people into remote areas at night. The trails should be intended for daytime use only. The cost to construct primary trails would vary based on soil conditions, the amount of clearing required, ease of access for construction equipment and the number of creek and road crossings required. 3.2 Secondary Trails Secondary trails provide access to areas such as creek edges, woodlots, or wetlands. These trails are intended to keep pedestrians on a designated route to enjoy and experience natural areas without disrupting sensitive natural features. Secondary trails are generally narrower and are constructed of crushed aggregate or wood chips. These types of trails currently exist in the Bowmanville Valley, the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, the Orono Woods, the Oak Ridges Moraine and some other areas in the municipality. 3.3 Existina Trails The Municipality currently has a number of different trails. Except for the Waterfront Trail, and Oak Ridges Moraine Trail the existing trails are relatively short in distance and have limited potential to be part of a continuous trail network. The Waterfront Trail receives the highest use. It has a crushed limestone surface which requires regular inspection and maintenance to keep it in good condition. Although higher in initial capital cost, an asphalt surface would require less maintenance and would provide a smoother, drier surface for a greater variety of recreational uses. When funding becomes available the existing limestone sections of Waterfront Trail should be replaced with asphalt. Other opportunities however, such as the construction of new trails in existing urban areas, should be a higher priority at this time. Granular and wood chip trails such as the Sydney B. Rutherford Trail in Orono, Lions Trail in Newcastle, or the Courtice Millennium Trail should remain as casual walking trails without the active recreational uses that paving could create. Volunteer groups such as Valleys 2000 and Samuel Wilmot Management Advisory Committee, ORT A '704 ", REPORT NO.: EGD-49-02 PAGE 5 and others have been instrumental in constructing these trails and should be encouraged to continue. 3.4 Trail Signage A distinctive C/arington Trails sign could be created for installation at trail entrances and at regular intervals along trail routes. Regulatory signage such as stop signs, dismount at road crossing, cyclists slow for pedestrians, etc. would also be part of a comprehensive trail signage program. 4.0 POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES Funding for trail construction is occasionally available through provincial grant programs. When programs become available for trail construction, the Municipality should aggressively pursue them, Corporations, volunteer groups, and service clubs can also be sources of monetary or in-kind contributors to trail construction, Funding for land acquisition is typically not available from government or non- government agencies. 5.0 TRAIL OPPORTUNITIES Several trail opportunities are briefly described below. They are the best opportunities to provide immediate benefit in existing developed areas of the municipality. Other opportunities exist and can be further examined in the preparation of the Five Year Capital Budget and/or through the preparation of a comprehensive trail master plan. 5.1 Bowmanville Creek from King Street to Baseline Road (Attachment 1) . Approx. 1950m in length. . Estimated cost to design and construct $240,000 This is already a well-used trail route. The Goodyear access road and the limestone trails constructed by Valleys 2000 currently provide a hard surface for trail users. Paving the existing main limestone trail and constructing a new trail to Baseline Road would , l,'c,S-, 'U . ' , '- '- REPORT NO.: EGD-49-02 PAGE 6 expand the use of this area to bicycles, strollers, joggers and in-line skaters. It is anticipated that the municipality will own or have access over all of the land by the end of 2002. There will be a future opportunity to extend this trail south an additional 600m to connect with the Waterfront Trail (Attachment 2). Planning Services is working towards securing the required land or access over it for trail construction. Crossing Baseline Road to extend the trail south will require some additional analysis. 5.2 Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to Port of Newcastle Marina (Attachment 3) . Approx. 1200m in length. . Estimated cost to design and construct $270,000 This section of trail would extend the existing Waterfront Trail east and would also link the Port of Newcastle residential development to the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. It is one of the best opportunities to construct a trail directly adjacent to Lake Ontario. 5.3 Along the Soper Creek from Simpson Avenue to Highway 2 at Mearns Avenue (Attachment 4) . Approx. 1000m in length . Estimated cost to design and construct $140,000. Constructing this section of trail would formalize an existing worn path that exists between Soper Creek Park and Hwy #2. Three connections from the trail to adjacent streets in the subdivision west of the valley would also be paved as part of this project. The Municipality also owns land south to the Tourist Information site at Liberty and Hwy 401. If a trail underpass at Baseline Road was constructed this trail could be extended an additional 500m south. '706 '- REPORT NO.: EGO.49.02 PAGE 7 The trail could also be extended north 1.3 km to Concession Street using Mearns Ave. and the open space adjacent to Barley Mill Crescent and Soper Creek Drive. 5.4 Pavina the existina Waterfront Trail from Cobbledick Road to Toronto Street (Attachment 5) . Approx. 870m in length. . Estimated cost to design and construct $120,000 This section of the Waterfront Trail will span the north edge of the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. The existing granular trail in this location is one of the best used sections of our Waterfront Trail. Completion of this section of trail in conjunction with the Port of Newcastle Waterfront Trail would create a continuous paved trail over 2 km in length. The existing secondary trail along the west side of the Wilmot Creek would remain unpaved. 5.5 Pavina and expandina the existina Waterfront Trail Paving the existing Waterfront Trail and developing new off-road sections would greatly enhance its recreational value. Opportunities to construct new sections of Waterfront Trail will be available in the near future. Staff has secured lands from Rice Capital as a result of approval of Phase 6 of the Wilmot Creek Retirement Community, which is located on the western portion of the site. The lands will be used to accommodate a new section of Waterfront Trail and to facilitate a connection to the hydro transmission corridor and allow the trail to continue east. An opportunity to move the Waterfront Trail off road will also be available when the Region of Durham begins construction of the Courtice Water Pollution Control Plant. The Municipality should also continue to negotiate with private and corporate landowners to gain access to the best possible routes along the waterfront and bring the trail off-road wherever possible. '707 REPORT NO.: EGD-49-02 PAGE 8 6.0 CONCLUSION Recreational trails are relatively low cost capital projects that can deliver a service that meets the needs of a broad cross-section of Clarington residents. Good short term opportunities exist to create new trails and improve existing trails throughout Clarington. The most immediate benefit for residents would come from new trails in the Bowmanville Creek Valley and Soper Creek Valley. Both of these natural areas are adjacent to existing residential and commercial development. Trails in both locations would be relatively easy to construct and have the potential for future expansion. Although some work has already been done, a comprehensive trail master plan would assist in identifying long term opportunities such as future trail locations, potential linkages, additional land to be acquired, and sources of funding. Staff will report to Council on this item in the future. To implement the short term opportunities identified in this report, staff will be recommending a program for trail construction in the Five Year Capital Budget. Attachments: Attachment 1 _ Key Map - Bowmanville Creek from King Street to Baseline Road Attachment 2 _ Key Map - Extension of trail to connect with the Waterfront Trail Attachment 3 _ Key Map - Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to Port of Newcastle Marina Attachment 4 _ Key Map - Soper Creek from Simpson Avenue to Highway 2 Attachment 5 _ Key Map - Paving the existing Waterfront Trail from Cobbledick Road to Toronto Street '708 f=----<' /) / I' ",,~IDl~~~J i I ! 11'/ ,( (~i ldll cJLJL_1 \ \ I \~~~urth'stiL, IC~ ~ '(r~ I ~il\ ,l(/)l UIIJLJUC II ~ ~ I "';0;\ I . Jnl 'il' C::c" ,~ r q,~! 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" ., ~ ~ \ ATTACHMENT NO.1 '709 OCT.2002 ..J51 I~ 10 . I~. " I i \''-~~I ~ '710 ~, ~ . " ----=====-~ :---~--- --------~ - I /i / ~~ NEWCASTLE I- Z o 0: o I- ~TING /~ WATERFR,ONT ~ TRAIL (~ \ I---------~- UNOPENED ROAD ALLOWANCE L r"7 -"-- PROPOSED TRAIL ngmeenng erVICeS REPORT EGD-49-02 ATTACHMENT NO.3 OCT.2002 . 711 , '- '. " \ I ) , ../' / .~ (I '\. \ 1 PO SIBLE --' FUT ~RAIL ~TENSION ; \ I \ I , I ~ / \ , \ '\ Iy~ / , ~~I ~,.---.-, r---, 'I ~ ~ ") ~ I' II II L <( /I~~J ,~ ~IGHWAY No, 2-.J ._ \ ~[ll I~ ~~\Ji IL J, j i-Ir~, \\~In 1-' ~ -:=::1 \L '\-0::\11\ \\~ ~ ~j /'" / I~ \ I\~ I r--'~ I'-lr~ \, \ I I Ii I ~--.J I \\ I' !/ IIZ ...~ ,I \ \ ~ I, g: , \\\~\ I ~ r--I LJ r \ \ \ \ \ \ . \ \ \\ \\ IU .- SOPER \ 1 I \ \ \ I CREEK /1 \ \ \ \ \ ~C\I ~ \. J'.- ,-:~"'Y D ~ I -'," _.__L, I j~~ 0:: u II / d' w ~ Iff' .11 \ 3 Iln~_p cJ' I .l_~ UL BASELINE ROAD ~:'\-;.: ~:~~; I, I ,,' re?<\ TRAIt! TENSION I~ .... /L \\ I HIGHWAY 401 Ii ~'---LL \,,- I~\~~~~~r ~ . \\h \1 /7 ) II /~, I , 71 2 i I / ~I/ Y / \, P OPOSED TRAIL I '-/ ~- I I ngmeenng erVICeS REPORT EGD-49-02 ATTACHMENT NO.4 OCT.2002 '. r- I I I HIGHWAY 401 I I ~ I ~ <( o 0:: ><: u is w -' lD , lD o U I' I ...~ ( ) I / r (1"'/ /~ / ( / ,10 r-fJ . I ngmeenng REPORT EGD-49-02 ATTACHMENT NO.5 OCT.2002