Pickering celebrates reopening of revitalized Waterfront Trail

Pickering, ON, July 25, 2024 – Today, the City of Pickering, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and Trans Canada Trail (TCT) were joined by community members to celebrate the reopening of Pickering’s popular Waterfront Trail at Bruce Handscomb Memorial Park.

The trail, originally constructed in the 1960s, was narrow, steep, and posed significant sightline issues, ultimately resulting in safety and accessibility concerns for the portion between the north side of Bruce Handscomb Memorial Park and Elvira Court. In recent years, the area has also faced severe erosion due to environmental conditions.

In an effort to resolve the safety issues and restore the area, the trail was closed from winter 2023 to spring 2024 for reconstruction. The revitalized space now boasts several improvements, including:

• 120 metres of new 3-metre-wide accessible asphalt path
• Two precast concrete retaining walls
• Upgraded pathway lighting
• Erosion management controls along the trail edge
• Tactile indicator plates, aiding individuals with visual impairments in transitioning between the sidewalk and city street
• Planting of native trees and shrubs

The total cost of the project was approximately $765,000 and included a $150,000 grant from TCT and a $31,000 contribution from TRCA.

Project costs included the new trail design, construction, restoration works, and slope stabilization/erosion repair.

Quotes:

“Pickering’s waterfront is the shimmering jewel of our city, enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year. These remarkable enhancements reaffirm our collective commitment to creating accessible, safe, and vibrant outdoor spaces for generations to experience. On behalf of the City of Pickering, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Trans Canada Trail for their generous support of these restoration efforts, safeguarding our shared outdoor spaces and enriching community well-being.”

- Mayor Kevin Ashe, City of Pickering

“With the generous support of the Trans Canada Trail and in collaboration with our valued partner, the City of Pickering, the trail at Bruce Handscomb Memorial Park has undergone significant upgrades to improve safety and accessibility, including essential erosion mitigation and habitat restoration measures. This work reflects input from the local community, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and the Pickering Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee. These enhancements will improve a key part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Pickering and are a great representation of TRCA’s Trail Strategy that aims to create a 1000 km network of trails connecting communities and enhancing access to nature in Durham Region and beyond.”

- John MacKenzie, CEO, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

“I am thrilled to join with our partners at the City of Pickering and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in celebrating these transformative improvements to Pickering's Waterfront Trail. This revitalized trail section is now safer and more accessible, which means even more people will be able to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with connecting with nature. This trail was already a great asset to Pickering and the surrounding area and with these improvements its value to the community will only increase for generations to come.”

- Mathieu Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Trans Canada Trail

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About City of Pickering:

As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 100,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, Pickering is slated for significant economic and residential growth; offering an unparalleled quality of life for those who live, work, and play here. Its dynamic City Centre has been designated by the Province of Ontario as both an Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub, and continues to evolve as a preferred destination for creative learning, memorable events, and unique experiences at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.

About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority:

Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.

As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property.

TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.

TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.

To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.

About Trans Canada Trail:

The Trans Canada Trail is the longest multi-use trail system in the world and it is always growing. It reaches every province and territory and connects all three of Canada’s coastlines. Each section of the Trans Canada Trail is managed locally and supports different activities and community needs.   

Trans Canada Trail is the organization that advocates for, stewards and champions Canada’s nationwide trail system. It is a registered charity that receives funding from the Government of Canada (through Parks Canada), various provincial and municipal governments, and generous donors. 

Media Contacts:        

Nicole Hann
Coordinator, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications | Office of the CAO
905.420.4660 ext. 2028  |  1.866.683.2760
nhann@pickering.ca