Pan Am Path - A Legacy Project of the City of Toronto - By Jennifer Hyland

Pan Am Path A Legacy Project of the City of Toronto

The Pan Am Path

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Connect over 80 kilometres of Toronto trails Border of Brampton to Pickering Builds on existing trail network with few strategic connections

Background •2012 – City develops Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan, approved by Council •Early 2013 - Group of Toronto artists and emerging community leaders came together as the Friends of the Pan Am Path to propose the concept of a City wide trail.

•July 2013 –Toronto City Council approved the Pan Am Path concept under the Host City Showcase Program for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games 2015

The vision: a trail across the City linking Toronto diverse neighbourhoods and communities, with opportunities for sport and recreation, art and culture, enriched public spaces, tourism and commerce.

The Partners

Trail Infrastructure

Trail Infrastructure

Five Fivekilometres kilometresof ofnew newtrail, trail,3.5 3.5kilometres kilometresof ofupgraded upgradedtrail, trail,77kilometres kilometresof of on-street on-streetsharrow sharrowwayfinding wayfindingfor for2015.

2015.

Branding and Wayfinding

200 blazes installed, trail markings at major decision points, larger map signs placed in 6 locations, Pan Am Path story placed in the Lower Don and 51 bike racks in sets of three placed at 17 sites along path.

Signage and Mapping

100,000 Cycling Maps Distributed with Pan Am Path route

Supported effort for cycling wayfinding on-street

Pan Am Path Arts Relay

Pan Am Path Arts Relay

Arts Relay Facts and Figures • • • • • • • •   

97 Live Performances 57 Permanent and Semi-Permanent Art Pieces 23 Temporary Art Installations 1 Indoor Gallery established 3 Parades 38 Eco or Arts Workshops & Lectures 44 Organized Active Living Activities 31 Elder, MP, MPP & Councillor Speeches 64,238 hits on the website throughout the summer 114.8 million media circulations Over 250 positive media pieces written throughout the Arts Relay (TV, Radio, Print and Web)

Successes • The momentum of the Pan Am Path project assisted the City in obtaining approvals for several trail projects • City has developed direct partnerships and funders such as; Friends of the Pan Am Path, Trans Canada Trails, Evergreen, Toronto Foundation.

• Number of City Divisions came together on delivery of the Pan Am Path (Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Transportation, Culture, City Managers Office, Partnership Office, Engineering and Construction Services, etc.)

• Murals and Wall Art reached out to a vast audience and was the most cost effective • Community Bike Rides and Walks attracted the largest numbers as it encouraged physical fitness, education and trail enjoyment • Strong political support, wide enthusiasm, high public recognition, and media reception promoted the events throughout the Arts Relay

Challenges •

The major challenge was the aggressive timelines to complete work prior to the Games 2015

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Higher than normal contract bid prices forced postponement of projects until after the Games

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Permitting and approvals of various events/installations was tedious and time consuming and required strong collaboration between City, Friends of Pan Am Path and external agencies.

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Coordination of responsibilities among number of stakeholders

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Restrictive funding grants and City budgets

The Pan Am Path Continued • City to continue working on trail connections through to 2017+.

• Toronto Foundation has committed to 10 years of programming support.

• Friends of Pan Am Path – continued activations and Grant applications.