The Toronto Cycling Committee's recommendation for funding the building and upgrading Bikeway Network Trails in Toronto's Parks goes to the Economic Development and Parks Committee this Wednesday, Sept 12, 2006. This year's budget recommendation addresses both funds to build new trails in the Bikeway Network Expansion budget but also at upgrading existing trails that are in need of repair in the State of Good Repair budget. TCC 2007 PF&R budget recommendation

This year the TCC received a report from the Parks Forestry and Recreation Division (PF&R) about an audit that had been done of all the trails and pathways in Toronto's parks. It looked at their condition and the repairs that were needed to get them into shape. There was a total of 304 different trails & pathways identified and they were prioritized with the ones in the worst condition to the ones in the best condition. A total of 128 of these are suitable for cycling. Others were walkways and sidewalks through parks.

To start fixing and upgrading these paths the PF&R Division is planning to budget $600,000 per year starting in 2007. The problem is the total price tag for fixing all of the trails is $48 million dollars. At $600,000 it would take 80 years to get through the list. Asphalt only lasts 20 to 25 years so this is not enough of a budget to keep the trails in a state of good repair. In the next 5 years only 21 of the trail and pathway projects would be completed. For cycling paths the situation is worse, only two trails would be upgraded in the next 5 years under the proposed plans.

The TCC is recommending that the city increase the rate of upgrades to all trails and pathways by adding money to the State of Good Repair budget specifically for paths which form part of the Bikeway Network. The recommendation is that $655,000 be added to the 2007 State of Good Repair budget specifically for the Bikeway Network. That would would mean that three Park trails could be upgraded next year: Berry Road Creek, Etobicoke Creek Parklands and Chalkfarm Park.

In addition to upgrading existing trails the TCC is recommending that Council approve an increase in the budget for building new park trails. They are recommending that the PF&R's Bikeway Network Expansion budget be increased to $845,000 from $500,000. This would bring the total budget for work on the Bikeway Network in parks up to $1.5 million, which is consistent with the amounts recommended in the original Bike Plan.

TCC is also recommending that the Council support the $1.1 million dollar budget to continue work on the CP PS lead Railpath in 2007.

If you want to lend your support to this project you can send a deputation to the committee or make a deputation in person. To do that contact the Clerk of the Economic Development and Parks Committee. You should also contact the Councillors on the committee. They are listed below with their addresses.

As the election approaches it is important to let the Councillors know that residents support upgrading and expanding the Bikeway Network trails in parks.