Item - 2018.NY32.86

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council request the Director, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; the Director, Transportation Services, North York District; and the Director, Community Planning, North York District to coordinate improvements along the York Beltline Trail, so that they:

a. improve crossing at Caledonia Road – install curb cuts and a sidewalk along west side of Caledonia Road between the signalized intersection of Castlefield Avenue to Clarkson Avenue;

b. improve crossing at Ronald Avenue by installing curb cuts and adding pavement markings;

c. investigate improved lighting along the trail;

d. upgrade the connection on the east side of the Allen Road between Elm Ridge Drive and Aldburn Road by widening curb crosswalk and curb cut at Elm Ridge;

e. improve access to the Trail by installing a curb cut at the west end of Bowie Avenue;

f. study extending the trail 4 blocks north from the York Beltline to Briar Hill Avenue (2 blocks are already City of Toronto right of way or parks); trail could follow former railway spur line between the York Beltline and Castlefield Avenue and use part of the hydro substation at 911 Castlefield Avenue, and this would add green space to the parkland deficient Marlee Village area;

g. install sidewalk connections from the north and south ends of Miranda Street (south stub has no sidewalk, north stub has a fence);

h. replace the aging P-gates on the York Beltline with bollards; and

i. create and install official Toronto Parks signs for the York Beltline Trail at the following locations:

i. new Marlee Ave entrance:

ii. Beograd Gardens at Roselawn Avenue;

iii. 59 Beograd Gardens entrance;

iv. Salinas Court entrance at Castlefield Avenue;

v. Dufferin Street entrances;

vi. Fairbank Avenue entrances;

vii. Miranda Avenue entrances;

viii. Ronald Avenue intersection;

ix. Castlefield Avenue accessible entrance;

x. Montcalm Avenue entrance;

xi. Castlefield Road intersection; and

xii. Bowie Avenue entrance.

The York Beltline Trail is a critical recreational asset in our community. After many years of hard work, the trail will be extended this summer from Walter Saunders Park to Marlee Ave. Despite significant progress, many sections of the trail remain in need of upgrades and repairs. This motion identifies deficiencies and actions for improvement along the existing portion of the trail.