Item - 2025.EY27.16

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Requested the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to report back on January 6, 2026 with proposed next steps for the Etobicoke Greenway Trail project, including an outline of any required authorities to advance the design and construction of the multi-use trail within the Hydro One corridor and an outline of project costing and any anticipated, longer term financial impact to the City.

In collaboration with Hydro One, the Etobicoke Greenway Trail Project is a significant opportunity to enhance recreational access and active transportation for Etobicoke residents. The trail project is the centrepiece of a legacy investment, part of a larger Hydro One initiative to upgrade electricity transmission infrastructure in Etobicoke. There is a project website with additional details:

https://www.hydroone.com/about/corporate-information/major-projects/etobicoke-greenway

The Etobicoke Greenway was added to the City’s cycling infrastructure planning process through my motion in 2022:

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2022.IE31.12

The Etobicoke Greenway was formalized as part of City’s planned cycling network as a near term implementation project under IE14.3 - Cycling Network Plan Update (2025 - 2027)

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE14.3

This project is a joint initiative between Hydro One and the City of Toronto to formalize a paved multi-use trail within the Hydro One corridor. The proposed trail will be approximately four kilometres long and three metres wide, extending through several key segments of the corridor, such as:

-  Bloor Street to Burnhamthorpe Road

-  Rivercove Drive to Martin Grove Road (just south of Winterton Drive)

-  From the southwest corner of Willowridge Road and Richgrove Drive northeast to Longburne Drive

The proposed trail, once fully completed, will link several neighbourhoods with the Kipling Transit Hub at Six Points, including subway, GO trains, local and regional buses. 

Hydro One will lead the design and construction of the trail, with completion anticipated by late 2027. The current scope is limited to the trail surface itself and does not include amenities such as benches, lighting, signage, waste bins, gates, splash pads, dog parks, or pollinator gardens. While these features are outside Hydro One’s current scope; however, the City may consider such enhancements in the future through the Provincial Secondary Land Use Program (PSLUP), subject to the appropriate approvals. Upon completion, the City will assume maintenance responsibilities beginning December 1, 2027, including:

- Grass cutting along trail edges approximately 12–14 times per year

-  Snow removal approximately 5–6 times per winter season

-  Surface sweeping at least twice per year

Staff understand that Hydro One is investing approximately $7.5–$8.0 million in this initiative, which covers full design and construction as well as a one-time capital contribution to support the City’s maintenance and equipment needs through December 31, 2031. After this date, ongoing maintenance costs will be assumed by the City. Adjustments to the Parks operating resources will be formalized through future budgets.

Before Hydro One can proceed into the design phase, a signed agreement is required, and Parks & Recreation does not have authority to execute any agreement directly. This motion requests that the General Manager report directly to the next Etobicoke York Community Council meeting with an update on the project, and with any recommendations to facilitate the completion of an agreement, necessary to advance the project to the next step.