King looks at local connections: IMPROVING TRAIL NETWORK

NRU
Dec. 3, 2014
Leah Wong

The Township of King is looking at improving the connections between its communities and the neighbourhoods in between through the creation of a Trails Master Plan.

The 2013 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan Update recommended the township undertake the master plan to look at trail routes and make suggestions about improvements and possibilities for expansion.

“It’s looking at how we can better connect our villages and our individual neighbourhoods in our communities,” King parks, recreation and culture director Chris Fasciano told NRU.

The plan will be multi-layered, looking at how the town can better connect the three main villages—Lloydtown and Schomberg, King City and Nobleton—and how a larger network can be created to connect the villages to the hamlets in between.

“[The trails] are fairly well used. It presents an opportunity for drop-in health and active living opportunities that our community is striving for, which I think has been a huge driver in some of our newer developments,” said Fasciano.

“From a drop-in perspective [the trail system] is one of the highest used aspects of parks and recreation.”

There are some barriers to people utilizing the trails, which will be looked at through the master plan. Fasciano said accessibility will always be a challenge, but through the plan the township can identify the types of trails best suited to certain areas and where upgrades are needed for existing trails. It will also look at the types of amenities that are needed throughout the trails, including garbage and recycling bins, interpretive signage and benches.

“No matter where you are in King Township, currently and long term, you will see a combination of nature-based trails and recreation-based trails,” said Fasciano. While the recreation-based  trails are used more casually by a broader range of residents, he said continuing to maintain the nature-based trails is important as they connect people to the natural habitat.

Through an open house, and now an online survey, Fasciano says the township is looking for the public’s input on where connections can be improved and what trails may be needed in the future. Prior to the survey being released the township has been consulting stakeholders about the trails and involving landowners such as Seneca College and the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, as well as Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. These stakeholders, the public and council will be consulted on the draft plan, which is expected to be released in mid-January.