I am happy to report that at our meeting on May 7, city council officially named an 18-kilometre route the Robert Bateman Urban Nature Trail. This trail connects some of our best green spaces and ravines, from the Kay Gardner Beltline trail, north of Eglinton Avenue, to the Don Valley then through Rosedale, Spadina Road and the Cedarvale Ravine. The trail’s name honours Robert Bateman, a renowned Canadian artist and environmentalist who grew up on Chaplin Crescent behind the Kay Gardner Beltline trail.
In an effort to encourage walking and nature appreciation in the city, I worked closely with residents, representatives of the Robert Bateman Foundation and parks division staff over the past few years. I feel that this offers an incredible connection between a remarkable artist and an encouraging community.
Also part of the motion that I put forward at council is a plan to have the Bateman Foundation work with the City of Toronto: Parks, Forestry & Recreation to develop programs such as mobile applications where Robert Bateman himself will narrate stories, identify locations where he created particular paintings and lead walkers through the ravines. This app will help highlight the trail and the local communities through which it traverses.
The goal of the urban nature trail initiative will be to help promote active lifestyles while linking in an appreciation for the arts in the many neighbourhoods through which it passes. If you are interested in staying up-to-date on future projects, please join our e-mail list at www.joemihevc.com.