Misplaced Pages

#516483

30-478: The Ontario Trails Council has over 200 organizational members, made up of conservation authorities, trail user groups (such as the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Hike Ontario, Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association, Ontario Equestrian Federation), municipal park and recreation departments, economic development offices, regional tourism organizations (such as Explorers Edge and RTO1), as well as

60-461: A column which commemorates the death of Sir Isaac Brock during the Battle of Queenston Heights . At the bottom of the escarpment, the route passes the village of Queenston . The parkway meanders north, parallel to the river, with houses lining the western side. Approaching the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake , the road becomes known as Queen's Parade. It diverges from the river and travels northwest towards

90-660: A number of non-governmental trail groups such as The Georgian Bay Coast Trail and the Kinghorn Trail Association. Other members include biospheres and Ontario Government agencies such as the Niagara Parks Commission . The Council's membership represents the broad range of stakeholders involved in Ontario's more than 80,000 kilometres (50,000 mi) of trail. Members of the Ontario Trails Council hold

120-459: A prime consideration of road construction at that time. The section south of the falls was completed first, opening in 1912. It was extended north to the Whirlpool Rapids, incorporating the existing River Road, by 1915. The section between the rapids and Queenston was opened between 1921 and 1923. Finally, the remaining section between Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake opened in 1931, completing

150-712: A public service at: http://ontariotrailsmap.com Ontario Trails Council provides professional development education for staff and volunteers, through 3 programs available on-line at Algonquin College. Algonquin College hosts the program and Ontario Trails facilitates the learnings. Ontario Trails also provides in community education through its "Trailhead Ontario" brand. See http://trailheadontario.com Ontario Trails has facilitated over 200 community meetings since 2003. The Ontario Trails Council works to ensure full awareness, education and availability of recreational trails and trail based activity by promoting trails and trail based activity on

180-471: A special place amongst members of Ontario's outdoor recreation community. Members in good standing are eligible for Ontario Trails Hero, Ontario Trails Professional and Trillium Recreational Trail designations. Ontario Trails operates one of the largest trail awareness and information websites in Canada, with over 1.5 million visitors a year to http://ontariotrails.ca this site is also available on mobile devices as

210-503: A towpath. It continued to be used as a public road until the government gave the reserve to the Niagara Parks Commission in 1891. In 1908, after receiving approval from the government, the Parks Commission began to expropriate land along the length of the river. The broadened strip of land was used to construct a new paved parkway, which was opened in segments. The new parkway was ornamental and designed to be aesthetically pleasing,

240-524: A variety of social media platforms. The Council was formed in 1976 as a project of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources . During the three years before they were disbanded, the Council consulted with and received submissions from over three hundred interested Ontario organizations and presented a report to the provincial government. The Council was reconstituted in 1991 as a charity. From 1991 to 2001,

270-500: Is 55 km (34 mi) in length, crossing the entire Niagara Peninsula between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario . The route falls under the jurisdiction of the Niagara Parks Commission , an agency of the Government of Ontario , for most of its length. However, the section from Hiram Street to Glenview Avenue belongs to the City of Niagara Falls . Despite this, it is still signed as part of

300-675: Is known as River Road north of Clifton Hill . The parkway passes below the Rainbow Bridge ; side streets provide access to Highway 420 , but River Road itself does not meet it. As the road progresses north, it passes beneath the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge before wrapping around the Whirlpool Rapids. At Victoria Avenue, River Road becomes the Niagara Parkway again. The parkway passes the Butterfly Conservatory and crosses

330-579: The Ministry of Employment, Economic Development and Infrastructure (2014-15). Niagara Parks Commission The Niagara Parks Commission , commonly shortened to Niagara Parks , is an agency of the Government of Ontario which maintains the Ontario shoreline of the Niagara River . The Commission was founded in 1885 and charged with preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and

SECTION 10

#1732879976517

360-763: The Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations . Shortly thereafter, it passes by the Niagara Floral Clock, one of the largest floral clocks in the world with a diameter of 12.2 m (40 ft). It passes beneath Highway 405 at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge ; the Parkway's interchange with Highway 405 was removed by December 2006. North of the bridge, the route descends the Niagara Escarpment near Brock's Monument ,

390-710: The Legends on the Niagara Golf Course. Shortly thereafter, it enters the City of Niagara Falls and meets the Welland River . Traffic is diverted west to cross the river at Portage Road, where it then resumes on the Niagara Parkway at King's Bridge Park . The Niagara Parkway travels alongside the Upper Rapids and passes adjacent to Horseshoe Falls . It crosses through Queen Victoria Park and enters downtown Niagara Falls, where it

420-587: The Niagara Parkway. The Niagara River Recreation Trail, a mixed-use pedestrian and cycling path, follows 53 km (33 mi) of the length of the parkway between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie. The parkway begins at the old Fort Erie, south of the Peace Bridge , where it is known as Lakeshore Road and connects with the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and the former Highway 3 . East of the Mather Circle,

450-581: The Niagara River and help reduce automobile crowding near the Falls. The buses were powered by propane and included a trailer unit during most popular hours. In the long term, the Commission is planning for a fixed track transit system along the Niagara Parkway, although no decision has been taken on the exact technology to be used. In the meantime, the Commission joined forces with Niagara Falls Transit to launch

480-419: The Niagara River corridor as a public greenspace and environmental heritage. The first commissioner was Casimir Gzowski . Other notable Commissioners have included Thomas McQuesten and James Allan . Current Commission Chair is vice chair April Jeff’s. Former chair Sandie Bellows, died October 2021. In total, the Commission is in charge of about 16.19 square kilometres (6.25 sq mi) of parkland along

510-519: The OTC was the agent for the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario, responsible for completing the Ontario section of that endeavour. The OTC has also taken an active part in the conversion of abandoned railway roadbeds in Ontario into recreational trails. Since 2001, the Ontario Trails Council has become the provincial trails association, creating a centralized website, disseminating information about trails to

540-444: The city it provides access to several attractions, including the Whirlpool Rapids, Butterfly Conservatory, and Brock's Monument at Queenston Heights. The route ends at Fort George , southeast of the urban centre of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Construction on the modern Niagara Parkway began in 1908; it was completed from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario in 1931 as a scenic road with gardens and manicured lawns throughout its length. The parkway

570-555: The fully accessible WEGO bus system in 2012, and in the process discontinued the People Mover service. The Niagara Heritage Trail is a historic and scenic route running the entire 56 kilometre Canadian coastline of the Niagara River from Fort Erie northward to Niagara-on-the-Lake . Construction began in stages during the early 1980s, and was completed in 1995. The trail makes its central heart in Queen Victoria Park near

600-626: The main tourist area, and also passes by attractions such as the Whirlpool Golf Course , Niagara Botanical Gardens , the Butterfly Conservatory , and the Floral clock . Niagara Parkway The Niagara Parkway , formerly known as Niagara Boulevard and historically as the Niagara Road , is a scenic road in the province of Ontario that travels on the Canadian side of the Niagara River from

630-535: The present parkway. In mid-August 1943, Winston Churchill came to Canada to attend the Quebec Conference , a then-secret meeting in Quebec City to discuss a strategy for the invasion of France during World War II (which would come to be known as D-Day ). Prior to the conference, he met with William Lyon Mackenzie King several times. Between the meetings and conference, Churchill visited Niagara Falls and

SECTION 20

#1732879976517

660-579: The primary frontiers of the war. When the First Welland Canal was opened in 1829, the Niagara Road became a towpath for vessels exiting the Welland River. Oxen on the road would tow boats against the rapid current of the Niagara River as they exited the canal and continued south to Lake Erie. In 1833, a large cut was made to connect the canal with Port Colborne , eliminating the use of the road as

690-486: The public, assisting in the design and establishment of the Ontario Trails Strategy, holding an annual conference called "Trailhead Ontario", and creating a provincial trail education program. The Ontario Trails Council receives support from member organizations, the general public and through project grants from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (2013), the Ministry of Natural Resources (2012), and

720-622: The river, in addition to the Niagara Parkway which spans 56 kilometres (35 mi). In this corridor, the NPC manages numerous trails, historic sites, picnic areas, and attractions. The Commission formerly managed Navy Island National Historic Site under a lease agreement with the Parks Canada . Niagara Parks also operated the People Mover , a shuttle bus system intended to aid transportation along

750-554: The river. In 1791, the Land Board ordered that the fences be removed to permit the reserve's use as a public road. The Niagara Road quickly became the primary route between Fort Erie and Fort George . Its importance grew with the declaration of war against the Americans in June 1812. During the war, the road became vital for the movement of militia and supplies, and accordingly it was one of

780-636: The road becomes known as Niagara Parkway and proceeds north through downtown Fort Erie, beneath the International Railway Bridge . It gradually curves to the east opposite the southern shore of Grand Island . Houses line the southern side of the parkway along this section. The road curves back northward as it crosses the Black Creek and passes through a sparsely populated stretch. It passes the Willoughby Historical Museum followed by

810-426: The town of Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake . The portion north of Table Rock in the city of Niagara Falls is designated as an Ontario Scenic Highway . Niagara Boulevard originally referred only to the section from Fort Erie to Chippawa . The Niagara Parkway begins at Fort Erie in the south. It passes through several villages along the river before passing through the tourist district of Niagara Falls. North of

840-507: The town, ending at Fort George. The Niagara Parkway is one of the oldest roads in Ontario. Predating it, an aboriginal trail along the west side of the Niagara River existed before the arrival of Europeans. The first survey along the length of the river was done by Augustus Jones in 1786. The survey set aside a one chain reserve along the bank of the river for military purposes; one chain being equivalent to 20 metres (66 ft). Despite this reserve, early settlers extended their fences to

870-574: Was driven along the Niagara Parkway, after which he described it as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world." On May 30, 1977, the City of Niagara Falls assumed River Road between Hiram Street, north of the Rainbow Bridge, and Glenview Avenue, east of Victoria Avenue. This section is still designated as part of the Niagara Parkway despite not being under the jurisdiction of the Niagara Parks Commission. The following table lists

900-469: Was referred to by Sir Winston Churchill , having been driven down it, as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world." The Niagara Parkway is a two-lane minor arterial road with a 60 km/h (37 mph) speed limit for the majority of its length, although the section from Hiram Street to Upper Rapids Boulevard in Niagara Falls is a four lane divided road signed at 40 km/h (25 mph). It

#516483