Recommended Parkway Route,
Parkway Links,
Highway Links,
Parkway Access Signing Features,
the Recommended Multi-use Trail Route,
Multi-use Trail Links and Loops,
the Recommended Single Track/Equestrian Trail,
Gateway Features,
Staging Areas, and
Orientation Nodes.

The Parkway: The proposed Parkway consists of a continuous, two-lane roadway specifically designed to accommodate both motor vehicles and on-road cyclists, between Port Weller and Port Colborne.

All within the same view, Lock 2, the Brock Monument at Queenston and the Skyway Bridge provide unique interpretive opportunities along the Single Track/Equestrian Trail.

The Parkway Route: From the northern terminus, the Parkway generally follows the west side of the Modern Welland Shipping Canal to Welland where it follows an abandoned Canal presently known as the Recreational Waterway. South of Welland the recommended route crosses below the Canal, through the Townline Tunnel to the east side to Port Colborne and on to the southern terminus at Lakeview Park on the east side.

Along its length, the Parkway Route utilizes existing roadways wherever possible. Each existing roadway has different characteristics and in some cases, new roadway construction is required. Over time it is anticipated that the entire Parkway route will be upgraded to a consistent road standard. In the interim it is essential that allowances be made on existing roadways to accommodate a continuous route for both motor vehicles and bicycles.

The abandoned third canal and surrounding area contain heritage resources of national, if not international significance. It is recommended that efforts to designate this area for protection and enhancement receive a high priority.

The ferry "Bridgit" already recognized as a significant cycling attraction, welcomes people to Port Robinson on both sides of the canal. In this location a staging area on the west, and canal-related heritage resources on the east represent major potential opportunities.

Through Welland, the Mulit-Use trail follows an existing route along the west side of the Recreational Waterway offering a major loop connection to Merritt Island. Urban design treatments along the Parkway route provide the opportunity to showcase all that Welland has to offer resulting in the potential for significant economic benefits.

The Southworth Orientation node provides an excellent opportunity to view ocean-going ships passing over truck and rail transport in the tunnel. This represents interpretive opportunities to illustrate the effect of the canal on Regional transportation patterns.

In addition to the obvious role of the Lock 3 complex as a visitor orientation centre, it is recommended that it be promoted as the Gateway to all the canal has to offer.

On the east side Parkway route north of Port Colborne, a picnic/pull off area provides waterside viewing opportunities of the modern canal. An equestrian staging area nearby provides access to the Single Track/Equestrian trail located along the Parkway.

Parkway Links: Parkway Links are designated Parkway connections to the main Parkway spine. They act as complementary components of the system with similar design characteristics to the main Parkway route. They are intended to provide scenic, interesting links to the Welland Canals Parkway from the Niagara River Parkway and the Port Dalhousie area. They are identified with distinctive signing along the routes and are promoted through Parkway access signing at key locations.

Highway Links: Highway Links are direct connections with the Parkway System for convenient access to the major transportation routes within the Region. They are signed at major highway intersections with Parkway access signing.

Parkway Access Signing Features: These are prominent landscape features provided at major access points to the Parkway not only to provide direction, but to orient visitors with the familiar Welland Canals Parkway and Trails logo, designed as a distinctive symbol to designate the Parkway system.

Recommended Multi-use Trail: The proposed Multi-use Trail is a continuous off-road pathway for non-motorized uses including walking, cycling, in-line skating (predominantly in urban areas) and for the mobility challenged. Generally, the recommended route of the Multi-use Trail is within close proximity to either the modern or abandoned Welland Canals. In some locations it occupies the same corridor as the Parkway Route and in others it is distinct from it.

Multi-use Trail Route: Originating at the northernmost end of the east Lake Ontario Spit, the trail crosses to the west side of the Canal at Lakeshore Road. From here southward, the trail already exists as far as Glendale Avenue and is located along the edge of the Canal within the same corridor as the Parkway route. At the Flight Locks the preferred route leaves the Parkway and follows a route through Downtown Thorold, to rejoin the Parkway briefly at the north end of Thorold Island. From here it again occupies a separate corridor, following the existing alignment of the Merritt Trail to Allanburg. Except for a short segment near the E.S. Fox property, the Trail and the Parkway are generally located together from Allanburg to Downtown Welland. South of East Main Street in Welland the Parkway follows the east side of the Recreational Waterway and the Multi-use Trail follows the west side. From this point to Port Colborne the Multi-use Trail remains on the west side of the Canals.

Multi-use Trail Links and Loops: Along the entire length of the preferred route of the Multi-use Trail, numerous opportunities are created for trail links to other existing trails and trail loops of varying lengths and types, although not all are suitable for multi-use.

Highlights include:

Lake Ontario: Link opportunities exist among the Lakeshore Gateway, Malcolmson Park, Municipal Beach and Jones Beach on Lake Ontario. A loop opportunity is offered by existing trails around Malcolmson Park and the east spit.

Waterfront Trail: The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail Links attractions around Lake Ontario from Trenton to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Multi-use Trail system along the Canal is an opportunity to link Lake Ontario with Lake Erie, contributing to a network of existing and emerging greenways and inter-regional trails, ultimately connecting interprovincial and interstate trail systems in Canada and the United States.

St. Catharines Recreational Trail System: From Port Weller, link opportunities exist to connect all of the St. Catharines Trails system, and a loop opportunity can be created using the abandoned rail line west of Bunting Road.

Bruce Trail: Links to Queenston, Ball's Falls Conservation Area and ultimately Tobermory and beyond are created by a connection with the Bruce Trail in Thorold.

Port Dalhousie Loop: While some of the alignment of the Merritt Trail is being used for the Multi-use Trail, some is not. A major loop opportunity is created, connecting the modern Canal at Thorold, along the former Canal route to Port Dalhousie via the Merritt Trail and the Waterfront Trail to Port Weller.

Fonthill Spur: From Thorold, the acquisition of this rail line represents a major link opportunity to Fonthill. When combined with the Steve Bauer Trail, a large loop opportunity is created. The Fonthill spur may also become part of future loops around the Beaverdams/Lake Gibson area, as well as a link to Short Hills Provincial Park.

Merritt Island: Links with the existing route of the Merritt Trail in Welland offer a number of loop opportunities in the vicinity of the Welland Recreational Waterway and the Welland River.

Feeder Canal: An opportunity exists to create a trail link along the former Feeder Canal from Welland through Wainfleet to Dunnville, ultimately connecting to the Grand Valley Trail along the Grand River.

CN Rail Line along Lake Erie: By creating a multi-use trail at Port Colborne along the former rail line between Fort Erie and Dunnville, significant links and loops can be created. This is a critical link/loop opportunity connecting the Niagara River Recreational Trail to Niagara-on-the-Lake and back to Port Weller using the Waterfront Trail.

Recommended Single Track/ Equestrian Trail: This trail is designed for non-motorized uses including mountain cycling, hiking and horseback riding. As the name implies, it is a trail consisting of a continuous single track path to accommodate these uses, although in some locations, the trail may accommodate a double track design.

Trail Route: A recommended route for a Single Track/Equestrian Trail is proposed for both sides of the Canal, although the west-side route covers a considerably shorter distance.

East Side: Originating at a staging area near Port Weller, the recommended route follows the former Seaway Haulage Road southward for a short distance before approaching an existing informal trail along the edge of the Canal. The trail continues along the edge of the Canal past Lock 2 and Carleton Avenue to Queenston Street below the Skyway bridge. From an existing tunnel below Queenston Street, the trail turns west toward the Canal and follows the water | s edge again to Lock 3. From here it turns east, following an existing informal trail along the pondage areas to Glendale Avenue. Across Glendale Avenue the trail follows the east side of the abandoned third Canal, parallel to but separate from, the existing Bruce Trail route in this location. It crosses below the CN Rail Line and follows the top of the slope adjacent to Walker Brothers Quarries to the Thorold Cemeteries, crossing the Davis Street bridge to the top of the Thorold Tunnel. After crossing the Thorold tunnel, the route is generally parallel to Highway 58 to Niagara Falls Road, at which point it turns west towards the Canal at Allanburg Road. From this location, the Single Track/Equestrian Trail generally follows the edge of the Canal southward to a staging area north of Highway 3 near Port Colborne.

West Side: Beginning at a staging area at the north end of Thorold Island, the Single Track/Equestrian Trail follows the route of the Multi-use Trail in a separate corridor past Highway 20 to a staging area north of Welland.

Gateway Features:

A series of four points of welcome, or "Gateways" to the Welland Canals Parkway are proposed including :

	the Lakeshore Gateway, at Lock 1,
	the Lock 3 Gateway, north of Glendale Avenue,
	the Allanburg Gateway, at Highway 20, and
	the Lock 8 Gateway, in Port Colborne.

These are intended as welcome centres for visitors to the Parkway and would typically include:

	parking/staging facilities,
	directional/orientation information services personnel,
	information about local attractions and visitor services, potentially including electronic reservation systems,
	significant interpretive displays focusing on the heritage, modern and future aspects of the Canals system, and
	Parkway-related commercial development opportunities potentially including Canal related attractions.

At this time, it is anticipated that the Lock 3 Gateway and the Lock 8 Gateway should be very lively, action-oriented Gateway centres focusing on interpretation of the modern and heritage Canals, respectively. The Lakeshore and Allanburg Gateways might portray a more passive character, focusing on the ecotourism opportunities presented by both.

Staging Areas: Located at consistent intervals between the Gateways, are organizational nodes or "Staging Areas" for the Parkway, the Multi-use Trail, and the Single Track/Equestrian Trail.

These are intended as organizational centres for visitors to the Parkway and Trails System and would typically include:

	parking facilities for cars, small trucks, vans, busses and small trucks with trailers,
	bicycle lock-up racks,
	picnicing facilities, shelters and related furnishings,
	directional/orientation information,
	interpretive displays focusing on nearby points of interest,
	emergency telephone, and
	other features offering convenience to Parkway and Trails users.

Orientation Nodes and Pull off Areas: Located at strategic points among the Gateways and Staging Areas, the Orientation Nodes provide direction to visitors of the Parkway and Trails system, particularly for the Parkway, Parkway Links and the Multi-use Trail.

Typically, they provide:

	pull-off and parking space,
	route maps,
	directional signing to nearby prominent features of the Parkway system (such as the Gateways or Staging Areas), and
	interpretation of nearby points of interest.

It is important to clarify that the Staging Areas may be part of the Gateways and the Orientation Nodes may also be part the Staging Areas.

Master Plan Details: The Master Plan is divided into ten geographic sections beginning at Lake Ontario and moving south to Lake Erie as follows:

Section One: Lake Ontario Spits to Lakeshore Road at Port Weller, St. Catharines
Section Two: Lakeshore Road, to Queenston Street, St. Catharines
Section Three: Queenston Street to Glendale Avenue, St. Catharines
Section Four: Glendale Avenue to Beaverdams Road, Thorold
Section Five: Beaverdams Road to Allanburg, Thorold
Section Six: Allanburg to Port Robinson, Thorold
Section Seven: Port Robinson to the Main Street Bridge, Welland
Section Eight: Main Street to Townline Tunnel, Welland
Section Nine: Townline Tunnel to Highway 3, Port Colborne
Section Ten: Highway 3 to Sugarloaf Marina, Port Colborne on Lake Erie.

For each geographic section, detailed mapping of the Master Plan, itemized route descriptions, plan enlargements, sections and character sketches are used to illustrate the design intent and to provide preliminary design guidelines for typical Parkway and Trail conditions.