Fort Erie sets sights on Regional lakefront strategy dollars

Fort Erie Post

The Region of Niagara has put the final touches on its long-awaited lakefront enhancement strategy, and Fort Erie will be looking to snag some of the new funds up for grabs.

We were actually one of the municipalities that consulted with the Region through this process, so were very much aware of the funding thats available, said Signe Hansen, the towns manager of parks and open space development. Certainly from a staff perspective, were looking at various lakefront capital projects to see where we can take advantage of those funds.

Last month, Regional politicians approved a new lakefront enhancement strategy for the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines in Niagara, and have given staff the go-ahead to fire up an application process for financial incentives. Its the first phase of a planned two-phase plan, which has been in the works for a few years.

While the first phase will only apply to the seven Niagara municipalities with Great Lakes shoreline access which have 135 km of waterfront the second phase will be expanded to include Niagaras many smaller lakes, rivers and creeks, in all 12 cities and towns.

Last year, Fort Erie took its first concrete steps towards redesigning the numerous public access walkways that lead to the lakefront along the towns southern shore. The contentious developments have been on the towns back burner for years until disputes with nearby property owners and disagreements over the design were finally ironed out last year. The first walkway to the get a facelift will be Rose Avenue entrance this year and will see the unkempt, sandy walkway replaced with concrete paving, picnic tables and bike racks.

The town is responsible for maintaining several other similar walkways leading to the lake, and plans to redesign them all eventually, but a cost of about $50,000 each, the town only budgeted for one new walkway this year.

Our initiative on those projects were cited in the Regions lakefront enhancement strategy so they are definitely eligible and well be looking to apply for funding as we continue down the shoreline, said Hansen, who added the next public walkway to get a redesign would likely be the access point at Beachview Avenue.

The Region plans to help co-ordinate the efforts, and will provide 50 per cent matching funding from local towns and cities, up to $1 million per municipality every three years. The Region will also offer in-kind support such as staff advice and has budgeted about $10 million over a decade for the entire project.

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Fort Erie sets sights on Regional lakefront strategy dollars