Public Consultation Event A public meeting was held on February 26, 2020, at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and was attended by 263 people. A presentation was given to review the final design elements (i.e. bridges, landscaping and community connections) and to give more details about the project and timelines. A question and answer period followed the presentation. The material shown at the event included: Presentation

Information panels (Part 1 of 2)

Information panels (Part 2 of 2) The public feedback period ended on March 12, 2020. All feedback will be reviewed and prepared in a public consultation report. Next Steps The completion of design and construction documents is planned for early to mid-2020. The City is to obtain Metrolinx and private properties in 2020/2021. Construction is proposed to start in 2021/2022.

Location of the Railpath Extension A new multi-use trail will be aligned in the rail corridor from the Dundas Street Bridge to Queen Street West (east side of the railway corridor) and adjacent to the rail corridor from Queen Street West to Abell Street. South of Queen Street West, the lands in the rail corridor are more constrained due to Metrolinx’s railway track expansion plan and, as a result, a multi-use trail will be located within the municipal road right-of-way. Stopping the Extension at Abell Street Given the lack of space within the rail corridor, technical issues and impacts to neighbouring properties, more consultation and study is needed to find a solution that lessens impacts and balances different interests.

Project Timeline Time Progress Events 2008 Completion of the first phase of West Toronto Railpath 2012 The City adopts the Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan and recommends an Environmental Assessment (EA) to study a preferred route to extend the West Toronto Railpath south 2016 Completion of the EA report 30-day review period 2018 Stakeholder Meeting #1

Public Event #1 2019 Community Connections Meetings

Stakeholder Meeting #2

Public Event #2 Early to Mid-2020 Completion of design and construction documents 2020/2021 City to obtain Metrolinx and private properties 2021/2022 Construction proposed to start Extending the existing Railpath From Indigenous trading route to railway path The West Toronto Railpath follows the trade route that the Indigenous people would take from the Davenport Trail to the receding Lake Iroquois, following Roncesvalles and following the contours of the land. This route was later used as the path of a railway that started in 1871. West Toronto Railpath The first phase of the West Toronto Railpath from Cariboo Avenue (just north of Dupont) to the Dundas Street West Overpass along the rail corridor was completed in 2008. This section of Railpath received the 2011 City of Toronto Urban Design Award. Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan In June 2012, City Council adopted the multi-year Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan and new trail connection priorities. These priorities included a recommendation for an environmental assessment study to develop a preferred route to extend the West Toronto Railpath south from Dundas Street West to Strachan Avenue. Environmental Assessment The City completed its Environmental Assessment study in 2016 for extending the West Toronto Railpath from Sterling Avenue (at Dundas Street West), along the Kitchener GO rail corridor to just south of Queen Street West (at Abell Street). This study followed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Schedule ‘C’ process, which included identifying the problem/opportunity, developing and evaluating a reasonable range of alternative solutions, and providing opportunities for public input. The study determined: preferred alignment of the Railpath extension

urban design features such as landscaping, public art, bike parking, signage and lighting

access points linking the Railpath to communities along the rail corridor

design options for new pedestrian and bicycle bridges that may be required, and feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the different options On May 17, 2016, the Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the West Toronto Railpath Extension Environmental Assessment study. To view the report, contact Maogosha Pyjor at 416-338-2850 or email westrailpath@toronto.ca. Learning from the current Railpath Since completing the Railpath in 2009, lessons learned, included: Which plant species worked well, and which did not

Maintenance of the planting is vital during the first three years

Invasive trees and shrubs will take over native grasses and

wildflowers

wildflowers Plants specified require low maintenance, but a detailed maintenance plan will be provided to guide the City maintenance staff

Corten steel signage and bollards are difficult to maintain

Opportunities for stewardship and how the community can engage with the Railpath itself and the unique ecologies there Through community and stakeholder consultation events in 2018 and 2019, feedback for the design of the new extension included: Provide more seating

Maintain “wild”, non-manicured aesthetic of the planting

Ensure community stewardship opportunities

Provide more trees and shade

Ensure proper drainage

Provide enough lighting and use lower shrubs to ensure safety

Include slow down zones for cyclist before connection points

Provide maps and notice boards at connection points

Enhance connection points with usable features

Make Northern Place connection a pedestrian entrance only

Provide accessible connection at No Frills (ramp)

Avoid light pollution to adjacent residents

Plant more canopy trees on site where feasible

Provide more benches along Railpath and at most community

connections All feedback from public meetings to individual meetings with communities immediately adjacent to the new Railpath Extension were noted and efforts have been made to incorporate these comments into the design. Detailed design The detailed design phase has been carried out jointly by the City of Toronto and Metrolinx. The completed design plan will guide the future construction of the Railpath Extension multi-use trail, and includies detailed plans and drawings for: Four pedestrian-cycle bridges: over the Barrie rail corridor south of Dundas St. West (with provision for future connection to Sorauren Park), over Lansdowne Ave., over Brock St. and over Queen St. West)

Landscape architecture and plantings

Trail amenities and elements such as signage, lighting, seating, waste and recycling receptacles, bike parking options, etc. The detailed design phase was coordinated with other projects planned in the area, including: Davenport Diamond (as part of the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion)

Kitchener Rail Corridor Expansion (including modifications to West Toronto Railpath Phase 1, north of Dundas Street West)

Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station Environmental Assessment Study

King-Liberty SmartTrack Station design

Design principles The Railpath will be designed as a multi-use facility and will function as a shared space between a variety of different users including people who cycle, walk and/or roll etc. Generally, the paved portion of the trail will be 3.6 m with a 0.6 m wide buffer that is clear of furniture, light poles, etc. There will also be a furniture zone and planting on the other side. The design principles that will be implemented include consistency between West Toronto Railpath and Extension

resilient materials

industrial “wild” aesthetic

distinctive planting zones

elements for safety such as lighting, crime prevention through

design

design community stewardship and programming opportunities Planting typologies A map of the planting typologies for different areas along the West Toronto Railpath Extension Planting typologies for the West Toronto Railpath Extension Community Connections points Planting typologies for the West Toronto Railpath Extension mixed woodland areas Previous Next

The entire section between Dundas Street West and Dupont Street will be replanted due to the realignment of the railway tracks. Therefore, the unique ecology in the Railpath corridor will be enhanced, both in the Extension south of Dundas West and the current Railpath north of Dundas Street West. Community Connection points A map showing the different Community Connection points for the existing West Toronto Railpath and the Extension Rendering of the Dundas Street West Community Connection Point Rendering of the Shirley Street Community Connection Point Rendering of the Northern Place Community Connection Point Rendering of the St. Clarens Avenue Community Connection Point Rendering of the Delaney Crescent Community Connection Point Rendering of the Queen Street West Community Connection Point Previous Next

Community connection points from neighbourhood streets to the West Toronto Railpath Extension will offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to access the Railpath and enjoy the space for recreation, art, active transportation and more green space. These connection points may also provide community stewardship (i.e. gardening) and programming opportunities (i.e. shared community space). Pedestrian-cycle bridges Locations of the new bridges along the West Toronto Railpath Extension Rendering of the Barrie Rail Corridor Bridge (1 of 2) Rendering of the Barrie Rail Corridor Bridge (2 of 2) Rendering of the Lansdowne Avenue Bridge (1 of 2) Rendering of the Lansdowne Avenue Bridge (2 of 2) Previous Next

There will be four new pedestrian-cycle bridges as part of the route including bridges over the Barrie GO rail corridor

Lansdowne Avenue

Brock Street

Queen Street West As part of the Railpath Extension, a pedestrian-cycle bridge was built over Dufferin Street in 2016. New parks adjacent to the Extension Ernest Park (West Toronto Railpath & Ernest Avenue) 740 m² area

Base park was completed in 2019

Final park will be completed as part of the West Toronto Railpath Realignment work by Metrolinx Pessoa Park (Dufferin Street & Peel Avenue) 3,090 m² area

Will be completed in spring 2020

Read more about the project details and timelines Winter maintenance of the Extension The Railpath is maintained by the City of Toronto in the winter, which includes plowing, salting and litter picking. Transportation Services maintains the bridges and Waste Management empties the receptacles year-round. Additional law enforcement The City will continue to encourage safe and appropriate use of the Railpath Extension by including signs and pavement markings. Further efforts, such as public education campaigns and increased by-law enforcement, are beyond the scope of this conceptual design project, but recommendations for such efforts will be shared with appropriate City divisions. Funding The detailed design for the West Toronto Railpath Extension is funded jointly by the Federal Government and the City of Toronto through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The City is continuing to explore opportunities for funding construction in collaboration with other levels of government.