The Township of Leeds and…

The Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands believes in active lifestyles that improve the well being of our residents. We support Ontario’s Cycling Strategy and look forward to future programs and partnerships that our Municipality and our Upper Tier (Leeds and Grenville) can support and actively participate.

As part of our preparations to apply for available funding initiatives we are working on programs that will allow for better readiness for the process. As part of our Economic Development Committee we have a Trails working group that is developing a series of Cycling recommendations and programs that support and are in line with the Provincial program. We are working with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and building on their existing program of cycling initiatives. We have also started serious consultation and collaboration with the County of Leeds Grenville in a pave the shoulders campaign where we may participate financially in the costs associated with paving County road shoulders. As well, we have begun consultations with the many stakeholders in and around our Township in an effort to gather experience and ideas. Finally, we are active participants in all of the Share The Road Cycling Coalition’s activities.

Leeds and Grenville and the surrounding communities have a very active local cycling community, In addition to a growing Cycling Tourism network. Leeds and The Thousand Islands plays a major part in that network. The biggest challenge for expansion is the access to funds to connect our Northern and Southern Trail networks over the 401 and additional funding for paved shoulders on key routes that would connect and expand the trails. We encourage the Provincial Government to create cycling specific funding for paved shoulders, trail markers, signage and marketing for enhancing cycling in our Township.

The Provincial Policy Statement has defined the Village of Lansdowne as one of only two Settlement areas in Leeds and Grenville. This village is an existing hub and a jumping point for new cycling initiatives in the Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands. As the village grows cycling will be an easy way for residents to move between the various community facilities. Bike parking and rest stops for tourists will also help make this a central hub between Tourists moving north and south along new cycling routes that go through the village, as well as connecting to existing trails and paths along the Thousand Island Parkway and connecting to the adjacent communities of Gananoque and Mallorytown to the west and east of Lansdowne

In conclusion, we would like to further emphasize our support of this program and look forward to an active participatory role in the discussion and implementation of this important and worthwhile initiative.

[Original Comment ID: 202667]