Creating the East Toronto Railpath

10th floor, West Tower, City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Attention: Matthew Green

Re: IE25.17 Creating the East Toronto Railpath

Dear Chair Councillor McKelvie and Members, Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

This is to express the strong support of the Federation of North Toronto Residents Assns (FoNTRA) for Councillor Mike Layton’s recommendations intended to advance the acquisition and re-construction of the former Canadian Pacific Railway line, including the “Half Mile Bridge”, as the “East Toronto Railpath” with links to Toronto’s existing trail system components, including the Martin Goodman Trail, and the West Toronto Railpath, and the potential for future links to the East Don Trail and the Meadoway.  

As Councillor Layton says, ”At the core of this connection is an abandoned railway bridge that has the potential to link the Don Valley’s public spaces, while providing relief to the existing crowded trails and provide new connections to adjoining neighbourhoods.”

COVID has only increased the demand for expansive public spaces including places to walk and bike. Toronto is fortunate to have this legacy of an abandoned rail line, and we need to work in multi-sectoral partnership – government, non-government organizations, and residents, to re-envision and recreate this hidden asset as a treasured active transportation gem.    We look forward to working with other partners and the community in this amazing opportunity

Yours truly,

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cc: Councillor Jaye Robinson
Councillor Kristin Wong Tam
Chris Murray, City Manager
Tracey Cook, Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services 
Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division
Barbara Gray, General Manager, Transportation Services
Janie Romoff, Executive Director, Parks, Forestry and Recreation