Niagara River Greenways: Lower Niagara Shoreline Trail Connectivity Study

October 8, 2020 PUBLIC WORKSHOP PRESENTATION TOPICS

• About The Project

• What We’ve Heard

• Preliminary Recommendations: The Shoreline Trail • The Trail System • Gateways • Trail Amenities

• Next Steps ABOUT THE PROJECT MISSION STATEMENT

To restore the ecological health of the and enhance public access for all, while enhancing the development of world-renowned scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources of the Niagara River Corridor. HOW WE GOT HERE

2014 - Agreement to focus on building out the Shoreline Trail • GBNRTC’s Trail Gap Analysis formed the basis of work plan

2019 - Significant progress in 5 years

• The NR Greenway/ Shoreline Trail connects many of our State Parks and their amenities • We have 20 miles of Northern Niagara Trail, mostly trough parkland, but not all users feel they can ride a traditional bike that far • Encourage more people and a wider audience to try active recreation options in our parks

2023 - Anticipated Completion of the Shoreline Trail THE SHORELINE TRAIL

FOCUS AREA FOR THE LOWER NIAGARA SHORELINE TRAIL CONNECTIVITY STUDY PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Identify: • Alternatives for multi-modal connections from Artpark to Four Mile Creek • Key gateways and activity nodes along route(s) • Placemaking elements and amenities • Conservation areas and interpretive/educational opportunities • Locations to increase access to existing assets and destinations WHAT WE’VE HEARD ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY

Over 50 meetings, presentations and walk/bike tours have been held over last ten months with:

• Municipal Representatives / Officials • Community Members • Stakeholder Groups • Local Business and Activity Organizations

…to understand the vision and preferences for a future trail system. WHAT WE’VE HEARD

• Preserve, protect, and interpret natural resources / areas • Provide options within the system for different users (commuter cyclist, family cyclists, walkers, skaters, etc.) • Ensure trail extends along Lower River Road – celebrate the views! • Incorporate more direct access to existing park (state and local) resources • Create four season opportunities THE SHORELINE TRAIL SYSTEM DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS Primary Shoreline Trail Spine Along 01 Waterfront

Multiple “Sub-Trails” That Create a 02 Loop System

Themed Trails and Varying Facility 03 Types Provide Options to Users GATEWAYS GATEWAY TYPOLOGIES

01 Gateway

02 Major Trailhead

03 Minor Trailhead 01 Gateway Four Mile Creek 02 Major Trailhead Kiwanis Park 03 Minor Trailhead Mohawk Street at Parkway Trail TRAIL AMENITIES MORE THAN JUST A TRAIL

• Connectivity and Linkages

• Placemaking – Public Art, Gardens, Etc.

• Interpretation & Education

• Wayfinding

• Conservation 01 Wayfinding 02 Interpretive Signage / Conservation 03 PLACEMAKING: Public Art, Gardens and Beautification 04 Placemaking Amenities FOCUS AREAS 01 Cultural Trail: Artpark

02 Village Trail: Village of Lewiston 03 Shoreline Trail: 18F along Niagara River

04 EcoTrail: Stella Niagara & Joseph Davis State Park

05 Village Trail: Village of Youngstown

06 Cultural Trail: State Park 07 Shoreline Trail: 18F to Four Mile Creek State Park 08 Parkway Trail: Niagara Parkway Cultural Trail: 01 Artpark Cultural Trail: 01 Artpark Village Trail: 02 Lewiston Village Trail: Existing NYSDOT Trail 02 Seneca Street Trailhead Village Trail: 02 Multi-Modal Connection to 9th Street 02 Village Trail: 9th Street and Academy Park 02 Village Trail: N. 9th Street to Mohawk Street Village Trail: 02 Mohawk Street, Multi-Use Trail on North Side Village Trail:

02 4th Street, South of Center

Bike lane with lane Bike

–

Advisory Lanes Bike

–

Option 1 Option sharrows downhill

Option 2 Option

Buffered Bike Lanes Bike Buffered

–

Cycle Track Cycle

–

Option 3 Option Option 4 Option Shoreline Trail: 03 18F / Niagara Riverfront Shoreline Trail: 03 Trail Crossing at Oneida Street Shoreline Trail: 03 Mohawk Street to Dutton Drive Shoreline Trail: 03 Dutton to Pletcher Shoreline Trail: 03 Transition at 18F at Pletcher Road Shoreline Trail: 03 Transition at Joe Davis Park Road Shoreline Trail: 03 Transition at 18F at Riverview Drive Shoreline Trail: 03 Riverview Drive to Swain Road Eco Trail: 04 Stella & Joseph Davis State Park Eco Trail: 04 Stella & Joseph Davis State Park

Representative Design Elements Eco Trail: 04 Utility Corridor Connection Eco Trail: 04 Trail Crossing at Joe Davis State Park Eco Trail: 04 Trail through Joe Davis State Park

New connection to Scenic Niagara Parkway Trail

New trail to Lower River Road Village Trail: 05 Village of Youngstown Village Trail: 05 Falkner Park Gateway Cultural Trail: 06

Representative Design Elements Cultural Trail: 06 Fort Niagara State Park Lake Ontario Trail: 07 18F to Fourmile Creek State Parkk State Park Lake Ontario Trail: 07 18F to Fourmile Creek State Parkk State Park Parkway Trail: 08 Niagara Parkway and EcoTrail Connections

Representative Design Elements Parkway Trail: 08 Niagara Parkway NEXT STEPS NEXT STEPS

• Review Community Feedback

• Final Draft Document

• Trail System and Concept Designs

• Programming Concepts

• Cost Estimates / Phasing & Funding Strategy SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK! SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK

• Visit interactive boards and leave feedback

• Visit project website and send us any comments or ideas: www.lowerniagaratrailstudy.com QUESTIONS?