Town of Markham - Cycling and Trail System - 2008
L:\Agendas\2008\General\gc080211\Municipal
Infractructure Grant Project Description.htm
Markham has completed its Cycling and Trails Master
Plans and have identified a system with over 340 km of bicycle routes and
recreational trails. To initiate the development of the Cycling and Trail
System, the Town will construct 18.5 KM of
off-road multi-use pathways and boulevard trails that were identified in the 'Short
Term' (0-5 years) Master Plan Implementation Schedule.
The
multi-use Cycling/Trail facilities will be built along Major Mackenzie Drive,
which runs east to west and then extends along the Donald Cousens Parkway
(a.k.a. Markham bypass) north and south to 14 th Ave.. As an extension of this
system and to enhance the existing multi-use pathway system in Milne Park a
pathway connection will be constructed that will link the Milne residential
community and parks system to the commercial area along Markham Road to the north.
1. Economic Benefits:
Developing facilities for commuters, children and others to cycle and
walk to work, school and other destinations can lead to household cost savings
assocaited with automobile travel. Providing facilities for people to cycle and
walk to work, school and other destinations can lead to savings for
municipalities and developers associated with road maintenance/expansion and
parking.
2. Environmental and Sustainability
Facilities that encourage active transportation are vital to supporting
a shift away from increased automobile use, thereby reducing the negative
environmental and climate change impacts related to carbon dioxide and other
tail-pipe emissions. The provision of infrastructure that allows commuters,
children and families to cycle and walk will become increasingly important to
maintain the quality of life in our community.
3. Health And Safety Benefits
Active living is becoming increasingly important for youth and Families
and the Town is participating in the Provincial Active 2010 initiative which
aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout
Ontario. Encouraging more residents to
use active transportation for work, school and other trips leads to improved physical
health and in turn contributes to healthier and happier personal relationships
and providing facilities for cyclists that are separate from automobile traffic
improves safety and leads to increased cycling activity.
4. Social and Community Benefits
Cycling and trail system facilities help families, friends and
colleagues enjoy the health and social benefits associated with the physical
activity of cycling, rollerblading and walking. Residents appreciate having
pathway and trail systems in their communities and having 'more eyes on the
street' helps to deter crime and provides nieghbours and citizens with a sense
that they are not alone.
Completion Date: December 31, 2009
The policy context for these
projects is with in the Markham Transportation Plan Study (MTPS 2002), the Parks,
Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan 2005-2021, the Town of Markham
Cycling, Pathways and Trails Master Plans and the York Region Pedestrian and
Cycling Master Plans. All facility designs and assocaited approvals
have been completed for the Major Mackenzie boulevard trail and the Town is
proceeding to the design stage for the Donald Cousens Parkway and Milne Park
multi-use trails.