West Scarborough Rail Trail - A Case for Support

 

WEST SCARBOROUGH RAIL TRAIL
A Legacy Link from the Lake to the Rouge

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THE VISION

The West Scarborough Rail Trail is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform an abandoned rail line into a vibrant, multi-use trail that connects Lake Ontario to Rouge National Urban Park.

This 3-kilometre trail would follow the route of the former GECO rail line, crossing St. Clair Avenue East via the historic rail bridge from Warden Station to Kennedy Station.

It is the missing link in what could be a broader “Connect Toronto” trail that would knit together Toronto’s east-end trail network with the rest of the city!

From the south, it would link the Don Valley, Taylor Creek and Gus Harris Trails and to the north, it would connect with the Gatineau Hydro Kennedy Corridor and the Meadoway, establishing an active transportation corridor and ribbon of recreational greenspace that connects Lake Ontario, the heart of the city and Rouge National Urban Park.

WHY NOW

More than 50 years ago, University of Toronto grad students envisioned a bike trail from Warden Station to the Metro Toronto Zoo. The WSRT is included in the Warden Woods Secondary Plan, endorsed by city planners and engineers and supported by the last 3 councillors in our ward. Now is the time to protect this corridor and invest in the infrastructure that will shape a growing, more connected, sustainable city.

But this vision is at risk. The TTC proposes to create a pocket track at Warden Station and use the rail bridge and lands as a parking site for two trains. If that happens, all hopes for the trail die. It would be a permanent loss of public potential.

This moment requires bold, coordinated leadership.

 

THE BENEFITS

The WSRT will have immeasurable benefits to active transportation, connectivity, equity, recreation, greenspace, tourism, and commerce across the entire city.

 The WSRT would join existing trails from the new Biidaasige Park at the mouth of the Don River to Rouge National Urban Park and the Toronto Zoo to create a legacy trail across half the city.

 The WSRT will make direct connections between neighbourhoods, transit hubs, ravines, recreational areas, community centres, schools, businesses and our history in local neighbourhoods and all along the greater “Connect Toronto Trail”.

 Safe, separated paths for active transportation promote physical and mental health, including for seniors, children and people with limited mobility.

 Every kilometre of trail reduces carbon emissions and urban heat. Trails protect biodiversity and help Toronto meet its TransformTO climate goals.

 Creating the WSRT will re-establish a link to the indigenous history of our city and re-connect a corridor that has long been used for portages, travel, and settlement by the indigenous people.

 The corridor presents a rare, shovel-ready opportunity to build green infrastructure in an under-served area.

 

A CALL TO COLLABORATE

This trail can only become a reality through cooperation between the City of Toronto, the TTC, Metrolinx, CN Rail, Toronto Hydro, community leaders and the community. We ask each partner to act with long-term vision, transparency and the public interest in mind.

Let’s act before it’s too late.

Let’s build something lasting.

Let’s link the Lake to the Rouge.