Photo Credit: Waterfront Regeneration Trust

We made cycling history! From August 16-21 the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure: Greenbelt Edition (GWTA) ran the length of the new Greenbelt Route. Last week's ride not only marked the first time ever that the GWTA left the shores of Lake Ontario, it also marked the official launch of the 475-km cycling route.

After three years of planning alongside the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and in collaboration with 27 partner communities, the official launch of the Route is a spectacular milestone. More than 1,100 signs are up, the Route is mapped, the website is live, and all in time for last week's inaugural six-day ride celebrating 10 years of Ontario's Greenbelt. 

August 2015 Newsletter

• Our 10th Anniversary Photo Contest
• Fall culinary adventures
• The Greenbelt Harvest Picnic
• And More!

If you’re looking for fresh local food, look no further. Recently launched Greenbeltfresh.ca is your one-stop shop to discovering all the delicious food available in the Greenbelt.

On the weekends you will often find us at farmers market around the York Region. It’s always fun and informative.

Often times, people find us just to let us know how much the Greenbelt means to their community.  In the process I’ve learned a lot from foodies, farmers, cyclists, hikers, adventure seekers – everything from where to get the best local organics to the where to see the most scenic vantages around southern Ontario.  They all share a joy about their own unique corner of Greenbelt.  That connection can be difficult to capture in just one word.  Pride doesn’t quite do it, but last week, at Stiver Mill in Unionville, it came as close as any that I could think of.  

L-R: Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, Waterfront Regeneration Trust director of Regeneration Initiatives Vicki Barron, Niagara Parks Commission Chair Janice Thomson, CEO of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Burkhard Mausberg, and Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Pat Darte celebrate the unveiling of the GreenbeltRoute trailhead sign for cyclists in Queenston on August 10th. 

The GreenbeltRoute is on its way! 

It was a beautiful summer day as we made Greenbelt history at the first GreenbeltRoute trailhead sign unveiling in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The sign is one of five trailhead signs posted along the Route that will provide information for cyclists, including suggested stops and 100 points of interest along with colourful maps and photos. 

Come join us for the fifth annual Greenbelt Harvest Picnic on Saturday August 29, 2015 at ‎the Christie Lake Conservation Area in Hamilton, Ontario.‎

This year's Greenbelt Harvest Picnic features performances by Arkells, Bahamas, Iron and Wine, Gordon Lightfoot, Gregory Alan Isakov, Kathleen Edwards, Basia Bulat, Martha Wainwright, Terra Lightfoot, Lee Harvey Osmond, Dinner Belles, and many others.

A PICTURE IS WORTH NEARLY 2 MILLION WORDS

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection are teaming up to launch a photo contest to celebrate 10 years of Ontario’s nearly 2 million acres of permanently protected Greenbelt.

GREENBELT ROUTE TRAILHEAD SIGN UNVEILED IN COBOURG
Sign Signals Start & Finish of 475 Kilometres of Pedaling Adventures

A 1.5 metre by 1.1 metre Greenbelt Route trailhead sign was unveiled outside of the Cobourg Marina today.

One of five trailhead signs being posted along the new Greenbelt Route, the Cobourg trailhead sign at the Cobourg Marina displays a map of the 475-km route, along with suggested stops for cyclists, including the Aderville Indian Craft Shop and Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna Ecology Centre, Peter’s Woods Nature Reserve in Alnwick/Haldimand, and downtown Port Hope. With colourful photos and maps, the trailhead sign also shows over 50 local points of interest, including bike shops, museums, art galleries, campsites, conservation areas, natural features, and public transit hubs. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2015

GREENBELT ROUTE TRAILHEAD SIGN UNVEILED IN QUEENSTON
Sign Signals Start & Finish of 475 Kilometres of Pedaling Adventure

A 1.5 metre by 1.1 metre Greenbelt Route trailhead sign was unveiled in Niagara-on-the Lake today.

One of five trailhead signs being posted at various locations along the new Greenbelt Route, the Queenston trailhead sign in the Niagara Parkette displays a map of the 475-km Route, along with suggested stops for cyclists, including downtown St. Catharines, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in Welland, and the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area in Hamilton. With colourful photos and maps, the trailhead also shows over a 100 local points of interest, such as wineries, bike shops, museums, art galleries, breweries, cideries, and public transit hubs.

 
Nathan McCosker, farm manager at Clearwater Farm, planting the farm's first crop 

Tales from York is a blog series focused on the people and places that make York's Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on York farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in York's Greenbelt. 

At 43% of its total area, agriculture is the Greenbelt's number #1 land use. To really get to know the Greenbelt then, you've got to get to know a Greenbelt farm. 

It's lucky then that so many Greenbelt farms offer the "farm tours" and educational outreach programs that take you through the production process. The tours are a great opportunity to see and understand how the food on your table is grown and harvested. And, as I learned recently, they can also teach you about the kinds of innovative farming practices happening in Ontario's Greenbelt.