Active Transportation & Trails Master Plan

Purpose

 

The Town of East Gwillimbury has initiated a study to develop an Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan with the goal of encouraging more residents to walk and cycle in East Gwillimbury. The goal through this long-term planning study is to identify a recommended future network of on-road and off-road trails and active transportation corridors that will connect East Gwillimbury’s urban and rural communities and promote increased active transportation throughout our community. Active Transportation can be defined as “Human-powered transport” which is the transport of person(s) using human muscle power such as walking, running, cycling, roller blading and skateboarding. Active transportation in East Gwillimbury means: Active Commuting which involves journeys to and from work; Active Workplace Travel which includes trips during working hours such as the delivery of materials or attending meetings; Active Destination Oriented Trips which includes trips to and from school, shops, visiting friends and running errands; and Active Recreation which involves the use of an active transportation mode for fitness or recreational pursuits, such as hiking and cycling. This study is intended to focus primarily on non-motorized travel modes (hiking, cycling, walking, etc.) on Town Roads, and on lands owned by the Town such as parks, public open space and woodlots etc. It will help to identify priorities for network implementation projects over the next 25 years, determine an appropriate strategy for operations and maintenance, review the current standards, by-laws, and programs for trails, cycling and walking. The Plan will also include supporting policies and programs to promote walking and cycling, particularly in the areas of education and safety.

THE STUDY IS NEARING COMPLETION

The Town of East Gwillimbury is nearing the completion of a town-wide study to develop an Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan with the posting of the first draft of the Active Transportation & Trails Master Plan which can be viewed by clicking on this link:

 

 

Draft Active Transportation & Trails Master Plan

 

The draft Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan (ATTMP) identifies a recommended future network of on-road and off-road trails and active transportation corridors designed to connect East Gwillimbury’s urban and rural communities and promote increased active transportation throughout our community. 

 

This Draft ATTMP focuses primarily on non-motorized travel modes (hiking, cycling, walking, etc.) on Town Roads, and on lands owned by the Town such as parks, public open space and woodlots etc. It identifies priorities for network implementation projects over the next 25 years, as well as supporting policies and programs to promote walking and cycling, particularly in the areas of education and safety.

 

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

You are invited to the Town’s second public information centre to meet with members of the Study Team as well as the Trails Advisory Committee to review and comment on the draft East Gwillimbury Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan.

 

We value your ideas and comments and hope that you can join us and have your say regarding the Town of East Gwillimbury’s Draft Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan. The study team will be present to answer questions and discuss issues and suggestions with residents. The meeting will be an “Open House” format so residents may drop-in over the course of the event as there will no formal presentation at a specific time.  If you cannot attend the open house, the display material will be posted on this webpage on May 16, 2011.  A print copy will also be available at Town Hall for review

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #2

When:             Saturday May 14^th, 2011 (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

Where:            East Gwillimbury Sports Complex

1914B Mount Albert Rd.
Sharon (East Gwillimbury), ON L0G1V0

905-478-2241

The following information will be on display:

 

The Master Plan vision and goals;

• Route selection principles and the network development approach;
• Examples of active transportation and trail facility types, such as off-road trails and on-road signed bike routes with paved shoulders and bike lanes in urban areas;
• Maps that illustrate existing cycling routes and trails in the Town as well as the proposed long term network of new on and off-road active transportation and trail routes; and
• Key recommendations in the draft Master Plan.

 

For additional information and updates check back here or contact the following:

Gary Shropshire Director of Parks & Leisure Services The Town of East Gwillimbury 19000 Leslie Street Sharon, Ontario L0G 1V0 Phone: 905-478-4282 ext. 3817 park@eastgillimbury.ca

Dave McLaughlin, MCIP, RPP Senior Project Manager MMM Group Ltd 100 Commerce Valley Drive W. Thornhill, Ontario L3T 0A1 Phone: 905-882-4211 ext. 6520 mclaughlind@mmm.ca