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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 32-03 C'ú¡ o~ REPORT TO FINANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Report Number: OES 32-03 Date: September 9, 2003 From: Richard Holborn, P. Eng. Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering Subject: Durham Region Trans Canada Trail - City of Pickering Alignment Recommendation: 1. That Report OES 32-03 regarding The Final Report "TOWARD AN INTERIM ROUTE SELECTION, for The Durham Region Trans Canada Trail" be received and that; 2. Council support the recommended interim trail alignment as per the Task Force's recommendation. Executive Summary: The Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail Task Force have completed the interim routing for the Trans Canada Trail through Pickering and Ajax and seek Council support for the recommended route through the City of Pickering. In selecting the interim route the Task Force researched relevant background information, investigated and mapped all opportunities for trail routes, identified property ownership, identified natural features to support trail development, as well as sensitive areas to avoid, rated potential routes and identified interim routes and optimum route. The Task Force sought public lands that would support the trail, provide a quality experience, support multiple users, and the best possible but least amount of on road segments. The optimum route is considered the final and most appropriate route for the Trans Canada Trail and the interim route is considered an acceptable route that can be utilized immediately but needs improvement either based on location or quality of trail. As much as possible the optimum Trans Canada Trail route should be off road and meet the above-identified criteria. Background: The Trans Canada Trail is a shared use recreational trail that will eventually link every province in Canada. The Uxbridge Conservation Alliance received a grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation to route and implement the Trans Canada Trail through Pickering and Ajax and Report DES 32-03 Date: September 9,2003 Subject: Durham Region Trans Canada Trail Page 2 implement the trail through Uxbridge. The Conservation Alliance hired two staff persons to manage the contract. The work plan that was developed contained three components: 1. Implement the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail 2. Route the Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail 3. Implement the Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail The Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail Task Force was formed to help select a route and implementation strategy for each section of trail identified. The Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail Task Force is made up of Mike Bender, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; Maurice Brenner, Ward 1 Regional/ Councillor; City of Pickering Brian Buckles, Green Door Alliance; Bruce Johnson, and Andrew Jackson, Operations & Environmental Services, Town of Ajax; Reg Lawrance, Ajax Resident and leader of Take A Hike Club For Seniors; John McMullen, Coordinator, Landscape & Parks Development, City of Pickering; Krista Pedersen, Durham Conservation Association; Judy Sullivan, Greenwood Conservation Area Management Plan Advisory Committee; and Karen Wianecki, Planning Solutions. The Task Force has completed the interim routing for the trail through North Pickering and Ajax. Refer to the attached map and the Report "Toward the Interim Route Selection" prepared by Teresa Johnson for a further elaboration of the route. The Trail enters Pickering at the Pickering/Ajax border within Greenwood Conservation Area. After traveling through the Conservation Area the trail exits into City owned lands and onto Concession Road 6 at the Pickering Museum Village. From the Museum the route travels on road utilizing Concession Road 6, Paddock Road, Concession Road 7 and Sideline 12 to the Claremont Field Centre. The route travels through the Claremont Field Centre to Concession Road 8, to Sideline 12 and to the Pickering/Uxbridge Townline where the route joins the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail within TRCA's South Glen Major Property. The next step for the Durham Region Trans Canada Trail, Pickering/Ajax alignment, is the establishment of a committee to develop the implementation strategy. Attachments: 1. 2. 3. Trans Canada Trail Map. Letter of support from TRCA. Final Report "TOWARD THE INTERIM ROUTE SELECTION for The Durham Region Trans Canada Trail" Report OES 32-03 Date: September 9, 2003 Subject: Durham Region Trans Canada Trail Page 3 Prepared By: Approved I Endorsed By: . ^ .-......,. /} . ",^'~ t ~ ~ ~//}':iß Ri ard Holb,rn, P. Eng. vision Heaö nicipal Property & Engineering ---" .. Ever Bun Director Operations & Emergency Services JFM Attachments Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council ì) Thomas J. Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer ;.'>¡¡"iENT ¡¡-~~. --L.", _.1_..- Ç;:>I;;_S s'z-c.3 HE DRAFT TRANS-CANADA TRAIL PLAN TonOf'¡TO AND JŒCION:'Y- /""" .~S~I,jf¡\I1/"'f.,O iftl Ull'e'¡,d,-' !'1tl\n {.. 7- ,," .., .,' ---l~- OJ -_J~. óES ~ 2. -63 for J he Living City September 9, 2003 ~\Ìír. John McMullen, OALA Coordinator, Landscape & Parks Development Operations and Emergency Services Department fv1unicipa! Property & Engineering Division City of Pickering Pickering Civic Complex 1 Esplanade Fb;ering, ON Li V 6K7 Dear Mr. McMullen: A€!: Trans Canada Trail-Route - East Duffins Creek Watershed Furtner to your phone call of September 8,2003, I am writing to advise you that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) supports the route alignment that the Trans C",nada Trail Task Force lì8S developed, connecting the Lake Ontario Waterfront to the Oé1K Ricges ¡'iíoraine. I understand that Mike Bender, of our office, has been active on this Task ForcE: anej that the proposed route alignment follows the general trail alignment proposed ir; tno 2':::03 report "A Watershed Plan for the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek", Ie., report will be taken to the Public Use Advisory Board later this fall. ¡ thank you and other TaskForce members for their efforts planning this important trail iislwor!{. ¡'curs truly, r. './ )v ('j .'. 0 ¡1/' '. Ì, "",.\1" IV y./,J .."-1 Gary S. Bowen Duffins-Carruthers 'Watershed Specialist 'vVatershed Management Division I' ; :-. , 651-6600 ext. 5385 fvi. Sf::nd.31'. Landscape Architect, Resource Science, TRCA /\. rroemar1, /\ctín,] Director, Watershed Management, TRCA ....-......-......................--..,........ ....---.-.-.........--..-..--.--"'-"'.--"'--"""'.' ....-... ::".¡.,t'. 1")"":".".\'1('\:'; O,t:j,.¡(] IVUN¡S'¡ (/116,6616(,00 FAX 661-6898 ,^'WW.IITd.r'.,1.C', .- - ,tTTACHMENT#-9_. TOREPORT#oe5> 32--03 1 of /V ;iJì j"~ FINAL REPORT TOWARD THE INTERIM ROUTE SELECTION for The Durham Region Trans Canada Trail Prepared for: The Pickering/Ajax Task Force Prepared by: Teresa Johnston September 2003 Ai"'ACHMENT#--.i. TOREPORT#..œs3.tû3 2 01-1&. Page 1 Section One: Introduction In December 2001, the Uxbridge Conservation Association (UCA), in collaboration with the Green Door Alliance, applied to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding to route and implement the Trans Canada Trail in Pickering/Ajax, and implement the trail (already routed) through Uxbridge. The grant was awarded to the UCA in August 2002 for $56,843.60. The Durham Region Trans Canada Trail Project (the project) is to take place over an 84-week calendar period beginning in September 2002. 1.1 The Task Force UCA hired two project staff persons, Dave Martin and Teresa Johnston, on a part-time contract basis to manage and execute the Project. In September 2002, Project Manager Dave Martin invited representation from key community groups, stakeholders and interested persons to form the Pickering Ajax Task Force (PATF). The task force was formed to steer the project and contribute to the identification of opportunities, analysis of options, selection of the preferred Interim Route and the implementation strategy. The following were recruited: Mike Bender, The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; Maurice Brenner, Pickering Regional/City Counillor; Brian Buckles, Green Door Alliance; Bruce Johnson, Manager and Andrew Jackson, Landscape Architect both with the Design Services section of Operations & Environmental Services, Town of Ajax; Reg Lawrance, Ajax Resident and leader of Take A Hike Club For Seniors; John McMullen, GALA Co- ordinator, Landscape & Parks Development, City of Pickering; Krista Pedersen, Durham Conservation Association; Judy Sullivan, Greenwood Conservation Area Management Plan Advisory Committee; and Karen Wianecki, Planning Solutions. 1.2 Objectives The creation of the Trans Canada Trail in Durham Region will have a three-fold benefit. First, trail use will promote physical fitness. This linear recreation facility will be a low-cost measure with enormous payback in physical and mental well being of the community. Second, the high-profile Trans Canada Trail will make Uxbridge, Pickering and Ajax significant tourist destination, with important economic spin-offs for the hospitality and retail business sectors. Third, the trail will contribute to environmental protection and enhancement, in particular, protection of the Duffins Creek Watershed. Thus, the three primary objectives are: . Creation of a world-class recreation asset to encourage physical fitness. ~)),C~IMENT#-5o",- TOREPORT#..œs....31-O) ---.1-.. of ~ Page 2 . Demonstration of an effective community development strategy based on outdoor recreation and an environmental ethic of care. . Perpetual protection of a section of the natural environment in Uxbridge, Pickering and Ajax, including the Duffins Creek Watershed. 1.3 Relevance of the Durham Region Trans Canada Trail The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) is a shared-use recreation trail that will eventually extend 17,250 km through every province and territory in Canada. It will be the longest trail of its kind in the world. The TCT enters Uxbridge Township from the northeast along the former CN railway line from Peterborough and Lindsay. In 1999, the UCA obtained funding in order to organize a community Task Force that engaged in a consultation process to determine a proposed interim route for the TCT through Uxbridge Township. The Task Force carried out this task in 1999 - 2000. Uxbridge Township Council formally approved the proposed route (about 20 km long) in April 2000. The Durham Region Trans Canada Trail will be routed south from the Pickering/Uxbridge Townline (the most southerly point of the Uxbridge Trail) into the towns of Pickering and Ajax. The trail will link with the Waterfront Trail at Lake Ontario. Statistical analysis has shown that most trail use comes from local inhabitants. The populations of Uxbridge, Pickering and Ajax in 2001 are 18,100, 90,600 and 76,000 respectively, for 184,700 residents who stand to be the primary beneficiaries of a major new trail. However, because of its relative proximity, the trail will also become a major destination for day trips and multi-day visits from the entire Greater Toronto Area. The reason for this is the truly awesome natural beauty of the areas traversed by the trail, and the large collection of publicly owned lands in southern Uxbridge and northern Pickering. These public lands primarily belong to Durham Region, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the federal government. As well, there is great synergy for this project as the Town of Ajax completed the "Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan" in 2001. The Ajax plan is already in the implementation stage and part of its stated goal is to connect with regional and other municipal trails, and to link with regional and provincial trail systems. Relative gains include physical fitness for trail users, economic benefits for local business persons, jobs and sustainable development for the community, and protection and enhancement of the local environment. Linear recreation provides sustained social and economic benefits for the host community. The trail in Durham Region will provide a quality experience that will make visitors want to come back. ';¡".;!"'iENTi!_:¿."... TOREPORT# ÓGS 32.-{).3> .-!:Lot /).., Page 3 1.4 Trail Uses The Trans Canada Trail is a multi-use trail that includes at least three uses out of a selection of hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. The Interim and Optimum trail routes in Pickering and Ajax are most conducive to equestrian, hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. Where the trail traverses private property (at this time, this is limited to the property of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority), use is determined by the owner. In the case of the Duffins Marsh spur trail; Greenwood, and the Claremont Field Centre, use has been limited to hiking and cross-country skiing. Alternate routes are provided for equestrian and bicycling uses. We do not propose to promote snowmobile or any other type of motorized recreation vehicle use of the trail in Pickering or Ajax, but in the absence of municipal prohibition, these uses cannot be precluded where the trail is on-road, and where such uses are allowed by municipal bylaw. ':"'~/;CH'1ENT#__2... TOREPORT#OeS 3;;z.()) ~....5- of I.L Page 4 Section Two: Al!Proach Work began on the Project in September 2002. A work plan was prepared that contained three components: One: Two: Three: Implementation of the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail Route selection for the Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail Implementation of the Pickering/Ajax Trans Canada Trail This report deals with Component Two, which contains five stages as outlined below: Stage One: Getting Started . Identify key groups, stakeholders and interested persons . Form the volunteer Pickering/Ajax Tans Canada Trail Task Force (with a one- year mandate to select the route for the trail in Pickering/Ajax and to lay the groundwork for the subsequent implementation and operation of the trail). . Research and organize relevant and important information (maps, historical and background information, relevant plans from municipallregional planning department, etc.). Stage Two: Inventory Opportunities . Investigate and map all opportunities that could support the Interim and Optimum trail routes and loop/spur trails. . Identify property ownership (especially public lands), easements, unopened road allowances, etc. . Identify and analyze future development projects that could potentially impede or support a trail route. . Identify natural features that will support trail development and sensitive natural areas to avoid. Stage Three: Identify Potential Routes . Identify and discuss all reasonable broad trail corridors for consideration in Stage Four. . Rate potential corridors (look at implementation difficulty, time frame, costs, etc.). "ÍF.I",T t 3 TO REPORhr1.t~5,,3..{ -0:> ......._.b. '.. 1;L.... Page 5 . Within the optimum corridor, evaluate possible variations along the route. Stage Four: Select the Best Interim and Optimum Route . Based on input and all factors to date, select the preferred Interim Route. . Identify desirable improvements to the Interim Trail, which will lead to the Optimum route over time. . Develop Guidelines as tips to maximize involvement and initiative with trail partners, community volunteers, and other involved stakeholders . Prepare a Draft and Final Report along with final maps. ", '\C!-!MENT#_J_. TOREPORT# ()F-S 3;(-ö) 7 oL ~ Page 6 Section Three: Toward the Optimum Route Two Pickering Ajax Task Force (PATF) meetings took place in October 2002. PATF discussed approaches to investigating and evaluating potential opportunities that could support the Interim and Optimum trail routes. It was determined that the PATF would organize six walkthroughs between November 2002 and January 2003. The primary goal of the walkthroughs was to explore on-foot and by car potential routes linking the Waterfront Trail in Ajax to the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail where it intersects the Uxbridge/Pickering Townline. The areas to be explored were broken down into sections as follows: . South Ajax: The Waterfront Trail at Rotary Park to Bayly Street. . North Ajax: Bayly Street to the Greenwood Conservation Area (at Taunton Road and Church Street). . Greenwood Conservation Area (Taunton Road to Concession Road 5). . South Pickering: Greenwood Conservation Area to the Claremont Conservation Area (Concession Road 5 to Concession Road 7). . Claremont Conservation Area (Concession Road 7 to Concession Road 8). . North Pickering: Claremont Conservation Area to South Glen Major (Concession Road 8 to Uxbridge Pickering Townline). 3.1 Overview of the proposed Interim Route: The following is an overview of the proposed interim route as explored by the walkthrough groups. Optimum routes as well as potential loop/spur trails are discussed in greater detail in section 3.2. The TCT enters the Town of Ajax from the Waterfront Trail in Rotary Park. The major pedestrian bridge anchors this important trailhead across the dynamic beach at the mouth of the Duffins Marsh Complex and the Rotary Pavilion and Interpretive Centre that opened in 2001. The route follows the Town's "Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan". In the plan, the primary trail is to be constructed through the valley to link with boulevard road trails at Bayly Street and Westney Road and to the GO Transit station to the north. The route continues north as a boulevard trail and then joins the valley again, north of highway 401 to become a greenway trail once more. The trail travels north off-road through a portion of Duffins Marsh and then exits onto Lake Driveway West. Curving northeast on Lake Driveway West until it meets Westney Road and heads north to Bayly Street, turning west onto Bayly Street and north again onto Church Street. The proposed multi-use interim route follows the Millers Creek Trail System. This trail is part of the Town of Ajax's "Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan." The route turns east onto Mill Street, winding north through subdivisions, creek valleys and parkland to Taunton Road. #_.5..... TOREPORT# oe') 32-03 ._._.~ OJ_lL. Page 7 The route crosses Taunton Road at the lights at Westney Road, moving north along Westney and west into the Greenwood Conservation Area. At this point, the route moves north across the existing trails within the Greenwood Conservation Area. The trail exits onto Concession Road 5, jogs east for approximately 200 metres and then heads north again through the northerly section of Greenwood Conservation Area. Having reached this section of the Conservation Area the trail is now in the City of Pickering. After passing through the north boundary of the Greenwood Conservation Area, the route (still off-road) passes on lands owned by the City of Pickering and exits onto Concession Road 6 at the Pickering Museum Village. Exiting the Museum on Concession Road 6, the route heads in a northerly direction for a short distance, and crosses over Highway # 7 onto Paddock Road. The route follows Paddock Road north, turns east onto to Concession Road 7, and jogs north again onto Sideline 12. The southwest corner of the Claremont Field Centre (formally known as the Claremont Conservation Area) is at Concession Road 7 and Sideline 12. The route will access the Field Centre from Sideline 12, north of Concession Road 7 and follow a north/south trail along the west side of the property to Concession Road 8. The route moves east along Concession Road 8, and turns north on Sideline 12 to the Uxbridge Pickering Townline. Here the route moves east along the Townline, joining the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail within TRCA's South Glen Major property. In selecting potential interim and optimum routes the walkthrough group sought out: . Public lands that would support the Trans Canada Trail, provide a quality trail experience, and support a variety of uses; . Appropriate unopened road allowances that are still owned by the City of Pickering and the Town of Ajax; . The best possible, but least amount of on-road segments The following detailed narrative of the potential optimum, interim and spur/loop trails has been divided into six sections. It is based on the descriptive journal of the walkthrough experience of the Pickering Ajax Task Force. Comments and changes provided by the Task Force are incorporated. As well, there is a brief descriptive analysis of the areas explored. Please refer to the Map for each route discussed. ß rOREPORT#~Ej_32-0) 9 1:2- Page 8 3.2-1 Ajax: Rotary Park to Greenwood Conservation Area As introduced above, the trail enters Ajax from the Waterfront Trail at Rotary Park. Three potential trails were explored for this area. The on-road routes are part of Ajax's "Bicycle and leisure Trail System Plan". The off-road route is a footpath through Duffins Marsh that would serve as an excellent pedestrian-only loop trail. Duffins Marsh covers 41 hectares and serves as a transition zone between Duffins Creek and lake Ontario. This coastal marsh complex contains dynamic sandy beaches with species indigenous to the Great Lakes shoreline and is classified as an "environmentally sensitive area" as well as an "area of natural scientific interest". Duffins Marsh is owned and managed by the TRCA. However, the Town of Ajax has a management agreement with the TRCA regarding the southerly section of Ouffins Marsh through which the Ajax Trail System is routed. Optimum Route (multi-use) A multi-use trail begins in Rotary Park, meanders north through Duffins Marsh. After the trail exits onto Lake Driveway West the route is on-road from Lake Driveway West, to north on Westney Road and then west on Bayly Street. Design Services for the Town of Ajax, will be undertaking the design of the Duffins South Trail in 2003 and this should clarify the preferred route for the TCT through South Ajax. The "Bicycle and leisure Trail System Plan" promotes the use of both greenway trails and on-road routes to form an integrated system of looped trails in support of the main valley trails. As has been noted, the on-road options are available now although they need formal signing to recognize the route. From Westney Road, the route travels west along Bayly and then turns north at Church Street. The route moves north along the east shoulder of Church Street, passing under Highway 401, crossing to the west side of Church Street at Mill Street (north of Highway 401). At this junction, the route moves mostly off-road. Most of the trail route south of Kingston Road is already established through repeated informal use. The path follows Duffins Creek, and portions pass through the environmentally sensitive area of Major-Spink. An underpass is in place to cross Kingston Road, and north of the underpass three Duffins Creek overpasses, part of the Ajax Trail System, are to be in place by the end of April 2003. This newly constructed section of trail is scenic, diverse and interesting, with cultural and natural history throughout. The Creek is wide and fast, with steep embankments and cold water aquatic communities, including healthy self- sustaining populations of rainbow and brown trout. h'!EN'fi/..... 3 rOREPoRT#.Q~5 32.-03 .__LQ- ::i -.12-...- Page 9 The above off-road portion of the trail exits at Riverside Drive, south of Rossland Road. At Rossland Road the route turns east following Rossland Road to Church Street. From here, the route will move off-road through Haight Area and Paulynn Park to an underpass at Taunton Road. The route then enters the Greenwood Conservation Area. Interim Route (multi-use) Until the above optimum route is available for use, a multi-use interim route is proposed that follows the Millers Creek Trail System. This trail is already part of the Town of Ajax's "Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan." The Miller's Creek Trail begins in Rotary Park, moves through Duffins Marsh to lake Driveway West, north on Westney Road to Bayly Street west. The trail heads north along Bayly Street and turn east onto Mill Street. From Mill Street, the trail winds north through subdivisions, creek valleys and parkland to Taunton Road. The route crosses Taunton Road at the lights at Westney Road, moving north along Westney and east into the Greenwood Conservation Area. Off-Road spur trail (hiking, cross country skiing) The following is recommended as a loop trail for pedestrian use only, complimenting the above multi-use route implemented by the Town of Ajax. The trail through Duffins Marsh between Bayly Street and the waterfront is spectacular, a naturalists paradise. In addition, as a point of interest, this area is immensely rich in natural and cultural history. The north access to this trail is at the Duffins Creek underpass on the south side of Bayly Street, west of Westney Road. Hiking south on the east side of Duffins Creek from the underpass on Bayly Street, the trail follows an established fisher path. This path follows the wide curves of Duffins Creek. There are several transition zones making this route highly diverse and educational. The trail passes through sparse scrub trees bordering industrial lands, to giant maples, willows and cedar bush. The trail then shoulders large ponds and cattail marshes. This route links up with Ajax's multi-use trail at a condominium complex near lake Driveway West. At this point, the hiker can travel south on the Ajax trail system to either Rotary Park and the pavilion and bridge at the Waterfront Trail; or onto lake Driveway West, proceeding to Westney Road. As has been discussed, the design work this year will utilize the valley route explored by PATF as an option for consideration. The design process in Ajax addresses local issues as well as evaluating the natural features of the area in consultation with the Conservation Authorities. This assures that the route integrates well with the surrounding neighbourhood and promotes the long-term protection of natural heritage resources. 3.2-2 Greenwood Conservation Area: Taunton Road to Concession Road 6 The Greenwood Conservation Area is approximately 283 hectares. There are large tracts of undisturbed forests attracting diverse wildlife that require interior '~"ii:'.' 3 OM.l1 , oëS 32-ð3 i~.. Page 10 habitat. Duffins Creek flows through the landscape, which is also home to the only portion of the glacial Lake Iroquois shoreline not yet urbanized. The Greenwood Conservation Area is located in the Town of Ajax and the City of Pickering. The TRCA and the Town of Ajax have a management agreement for the area. There are many excellent routes through Greenwood Conservation Area. The hiking/cross country skiing route is off-road, using trails within the Conservation Area. The second on-road route offers a multi-use connection to the proposed Trans Canada Trail at south and north points of the Greenwood Conservation Area. Off-Road Route (hiking, cross country skiing) After crossing at the lights at Taunton and Westney Roads, the route moves north along Westney Road, turning west into the Ajax section of Conservation Area lands, just north of the Tracks. The route follows an established path north through the interior of the conservation property, to Concession Road 5. The route then travels east on the road for approximately 200 metres. On the north side of Concession Road 5, there is a carpark and an access point to more trails which head north through the Pickering section of Greenwood Conservation Area. At the north boundary of the Greenwood Conservation Area, the trail continues onto property owned by the City of Pickering. This route is very pretty and the trail is easy to follow as it travels close to the west side of Duffins Creek, eventually emerging at the Pickering Museum Village. On-Road Route (multi-use) The on-road route crosses Taunton Road at the lights at Westney Road. The route follows Westney Road north and turns west onto Greenwood Road. The route follows Greenwood Road north to Concession Road 6 to the Pickering Museum Village. 3.2-3 South Pickering: Pickering Museum Village to Claremont Field Centre Paddock Road (multi-use) The trail continues on Concession Road 6, crosses over Highway 7 and then travels north on Paddock Road to Concession Road 7. Paddock Road is the best connecting link between Greenwood Conservation Area and the Claremont Field Centre. The route jogs east off Paddock Road onto Concession Road 7 for a short distance (approximately 200 metres) and then turns north on Sideline 12. The southwest corner of the Claremont Field Centre is at Concession Road 7 and Sideline 12. 3 1';L ßE5 32.-0) I~ Page 11 3.2-4 Claremont Field Centre Claremont Field Centre is bounded by Concession 8 on the north, Westney Road and Sideline 12, east and west respectively, and Concession 7 (Durham Regional Road 31) on the south. The property is located on part lots 10, 11 and 12, Concession 7, in the Town of Pickering. It is 161 hectares (398 acres) owned by the TRCA. The site includes a variety of habitats; fields and ponds, large maple and beech forests, cedar lowlands as well as plantation forests. Duffins Creek is quite wide with steep embankments. It has both cold current and meandering beaver habitat. Off-Road Route (hiking, cross country skiing) This route accesses the Field Centre off Sideline 12, north of Concession Road 7. The trail follows a north/south route through the westerly section of the property to Concession Road 8. The route moves west on Concession Road 8 and turns north onto Sideline 12. On-Road Route (multi-use) The on-road section stays on Sideline 12, jogging west onto Concession Road 8, and then north again onto Sideline 12. 3.2-5 North Pickering: Claremont Field Centre to South Glen Major Sideline 12 (mu/ti-use) Sideline 12 is a north/south gravel road that links Concession Road 8 (north boundary of Claremont Conservation Area) and the Uxbridge/Pickering Townline (0.8-km west of the access point to South Glen Major). Sideline 12 has the benefit of "dead-ending" at both Concession Road 8 and the Uxbridge/Pickering Townline. This makes it a less traveled and thus preferable route when comparing it with other alternatives such as Westney Road. The 4-km north/south stretch of Sideline 12 between Concession Road 8 and the Townline is incredibly scenic, bounded by trees, horse farms, fields, ponds, hills and an amazing distant view of lake Ontario. Traffic is very light making it relatively safe passage for hiking, cycling, and equestrian use. The route turns east onto the Uxbridge Pickering Townline, following the Townline into the South Glen Major. Here the Townline becomes an unopened road allowance, linking with the Uxbridge Trans Canada Trail. 3.2-6 South Glen Major Loop Trail (hiking, cross country skiing) Site visits and consultation with TRCA has provided for a beautiful Trans Canada loop Trail that travels south off the Townline, circling between the Townline and the unopened Sideline Road 8. The loop trail does not utilize Sideline Road 8 and stays entirely on TRCA property.