How Very Very Nice

Hello Mr. Tree,

You must heave a sigh of relief whenever a portion of the trail is completed and you stop hearing from the residents who had so many concerns about the project.  Well, I felt that I had to send you one more email anyway to let you know that I'm now feeling pretty silly about all our protestations and copious questions.  The trail is simply lovely.  It has been created with a great sensitivity to the nature all around it and it's a beautiful shape, twisting and turning, uphill and down, nestled at the edge of the woodlot.  It has beautiful views and feels private at the same time.  Yes we've walked it several times and will continue to do so, hopefully, every day.  I felt it was important to tell you this, especially after having used so much of your time over the past few years discussing it all.

We were impressed too with the work project itself, running quickly, quietly, and very neatly over a short period of time.  It was barely noticeable.

Thanks Mr. Tree, you were right to go ahead all along and we really appreciate the time you took to answer every email and call with patience and concern. 

Barb Mahler.

 

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The above e-mail was forwarded to council by  Director of Parks and Leisure Services. I asked for permission to share it.   Such a message brightens everyone's day and makes everything  a town does  worthwhile. 

We spent four years without building an inch of the trail  despite  years of planning and obtaining easements from landowners to make them possible. The  Willow Farm  trail extension was a twelve year easement. We had only one year left to make it happen. Now we are. Just in time.

Last week,  a meeting  was held with staff , Klaus Wehrenberg and the Region's Director  of Transportation.and  the Mayor . I attended as well. 

 

Our trails master plan shows  three underpasses on Leslie Street and one on St John's Sideroad. We will approve it next week.

 

The town had indicated to the Region we wanted  design  specifications for  Leslie Street to include underpasses to put a fix on cost.

The region determined  cost at $1,2 million apiece and decided for us, it was prohibitive and  crossings should  be at grade  level.

Futire development will have thousands of residents on one side of Leslie. And thousands of jobs and shopping on the other side with  half a mile and four lanes of regional traffic separating them.

At the meeting, we learned the region  could fund fifty-fifty and of another possible source of funding 

from bicycle rights of ways  reserves.

 

So now we begin again to discover  options and  ways and means to accomplish the objective or not.

The decision is political. Like all political decisions, it should involve  public awareness and input from the community.

 

But how can  the community  have input if they don't know what's going on?

The Nokiida trail and now the one  referred to above are complete and we are hearing from people all the time, who had no idea how much  enjoyment they provide.

But not only that. Trails are the answer to encourage people to leave cars at home. We now have a

safe and enjoyable route for Aurorans to go to and from Newmarket to work.and for Newmarket residents to do the same.  It could be walking cycling, skate boarding or snow shoeing.

All the money we spend, creating jobs. huge amounts  on publications, to promote the idea of  leaving  cars at home with no measurement of success.  While the answer stares in our face.

 

Give people an  appealing option  and they will  take it.

What's wrong with  meeting Dad or Mum at the station, walking home to-gether  and actually seeing the beautiful place we  live and the people who share it.

Even winter is a wonderland.

Ms Mahler's e-mail is the best thing that's happened this term.