'One of the greatest things we’ve done': York Region plans major greenway project

Yorkregion.com
May 16, 2022

York Region is one step closer to building a major greenway for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the region from east to west.

The new “active transportation spine” is proposed to stretch more than 50 kilometres from Highway 50 to York-Durham Line along the 407 Hydro Corridor.

Once completed, it would provide active transportation connections across the cities of Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham.

“It's going to be one of the greatest things that we’ve done,” regional Coun. Jack Heath said at a May 5 council meeting where members endorsed a staff report on the project.

The South York Greenway Cycling and Pedestrian Corridor will provide commuter and recreational access to regionwide trails and mobility hubs for cycling, walking and micro-mobility (e-bikes, electric scooters and electric skateboards).

The route will align and connect with locally-led initiatives and hubs including the Vaughan Super Trail, Yonge Subway Extension, Richmond Hill Centre and Markham/Langstaff Gateway areas, Markham Centre Trails and links east to Rouge National Urban Park.

At an estimated cost of $95 million, the project is expected to take three to five years to completion, the staff report said.

In addition to regional funding, York is exploring two federal grant programs to pay for the project including the Active Transportation Fund and an additional $2 million allocated to Rouge National Urban Park.

As part of its application for the Active Transportation Fund, regional council endorse three “priority” routes.

The first, in Vaughan, connects the future Martin Grove cycle tracks, Vaughan Sports Grove Park, north-south connection to the Humber River trail to the future Weston Road cycling facilities and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

The second section, in Markham, runs along the south side of Highway 407, connecting the Rouge Valley trails in the east to the on-street bike lanes along Copper Creek Drive, providing a connection to Rouge National Urban Park in the west.

The third section provides a link on the north side of Highway 407 from the Rouge Valley trails in the east to Rouge National Urban Park. This segment will also comprise part of Markham’s trail loop.

As the route progresses to detailed design, staff will work closely with local municipalities, conservation authorities and other stakeholders to better define aspects such as design elements, ownership and maintenance, phasing and implementation.

“Regional level trail connections, such as the South York Greenway, can transform communities,” the staff report said.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, walking and cycling have become more important and expanding the region’s active transportation network is necessary to ensure more sustainable and eco-friendly ways to travel.”

An extensive consultation process was undertaken to engage with residents, local municipalities and key stakeholders.

Residents were invited to share their views through two public information centres held in December 2021 and April 2022.

There will be opportunities for further stakeholder and agency engagement as the project proceeds to the engineering design phase for specific sections.