More than five kilometres of new recreational trails will be constructed in Mississauga thanks to an investment of more than $21 million from the Government of Canada, the City of Mississauga, the Region of Peel and Credit Valley Conservation (CVC).
Charles Sousa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Lakeshore; Chris Fonseca, Acting Mayor for the City of Mississauga and Ward 3 Councillor; and Stephen Dasko, City of Mississauga Ward 1 Councillor and Credit Valley Conservation Board of Directors representative, announced this funding for active transportation infrastructure in the Lakeview Village and Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area.
Currently under development, the Lakeview community will provide new housing, parklands, and commercial space on a former industrial site on Lake Ontario. Connecting to the new community - and linked by the Waterfront Trail - CVC, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Region of Peel are constructing the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area. A region of reclaimed meadows, forests, and wetlands, the new conservation area will preserve habitat for wildlife, help the community become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, and restore access to the waterfront for residents.
Through the support of the federal Active Transportation Fund, over five kilometres of multi-use paths will be constructed, as well as two new steel pedestrian bridges, an accessible viewing platform, bike racks, benches, new landscaping, natural shading, trail-side fences, and extensive signage to assist people with navigating the community and the conservation area. The new trails will form an important link between Toronto and Mississauga, completing the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and extending the Trans Canada Trail. The trails will also connect with public transit facilities and other recreational trails.
Well-designed trails are an important feature of a community - making commutes more affordable and enjoyable, while enhancing access to parks, forests, meadows, and wetlands. The construction of these new trails will help connect millions of residents to more of their communities and surrounding greenspaces, support active lifestyles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This investment is part of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy, which aims to create and improve pathways, bike lanes, and pedestrian bridges all over the country. It's a big step towards healthier living and creating tight-knit communities, making a better-connected Canada for us all!
