Burlington's Ward 3 councillor Rory Nisan would like to see the Crosstown Trail become a much-loved and much-used path for Burlington residents.
In addition, he and other members of council are looking at it becoming one of the spots for community gardens to help address the growing demand for the popular program.
The trail is located on the existing five-kilometre, leased Hydro One corridor that runs through the city, and Nisan brought the idea forward last fall in the hope that residents could make better use of it.
Owned by Infrastructure Ontario, the Crosstown Trail spans three city wards, connecting several parks, creeks, transit stops and other destinations. Although Crosstown Trail serves as a corridor for Hydro distribution, it is also home to a year-round recreational multi-use trail and serves as a key active transportation route for the community. The city said it is used regularly by cyclists and pedestrians, but with limited vegetation along the corridor, users are exposed to unfavourable conditions of extreme heat and wind.
The city is looking at the establishment of a low meadow habitat ecosystem characterized by open, grassy areas with a variety of herbaceous plants and wildflowers – key to improved biodiversity. Meadows also have few and/or low trees, which is important as Crosstown Trail is a shared space with high-voltage overhead hydro lines.
On Tuesday, (June 18) Council approved the staff recommendation of a pilot program for greening the Crosstown Trail from Guelph Line to Fisher Avenue, with initial costs estimated at $115,750 and it will take one year to complete.
The pilot project is 7.5 hectares, and links to Peart Park, shopping amenities, bus stops, and schools. Further, the proposed pilot location is predominantly flat, with no creek crossings, making it relatively easy to access, construct and manage. 
Council has also asked the director of recreation, community and culture to consider an expansion of community gardens through the 2025 budget process and the potential addition of community gardens as part of the crosstown trail greening initiative.
“We have a budget coming up, so that provides the opportunity to look at a detailed review of community gardens,” said Nisan, who agreed to have his office coordinate the program, including covering the initial costs up to $5,000. “Inside a larger review of community gardens, there’s a lot of green space there.”
Ward 1 councillor Kelvin Galbraith, said it adds a different lens to put back into the budget. “We are always looking for more space for community gardens and there’s a lot of greenspace around the crosstown trail,” he said.
Ward 6 councillor Angelo Bentivegna was the only member who did not vote in favour of the plan at council.
“My concern is, I do want to see more community gardens, where appropriate, this may or may not be appropriate,” he said. “I’m concerned with the way it’s being presented. I’d like to see it combined with the existing community gardens program….where we have them now. I don’t want it to be a parallel program. I’d like to see it as one. I won’t be supporting this.”
Nisan assured it’s an ongoing review that will provide a detailed review of community gardens, and the possibility of adding it to the area.
“It only makes sense as there’s a lot of green there,” he said.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said she’s happy to see it and it addresses the concerns over community gardens that are always over-subscribed every year.
BurlingtonGreen (BG) executive director Amy Schnurr spoke at council’s committee of the whole meeting earlier this month, expressing support for the initiative.
“This is a pilot project that BG fully supports,” she said. “Initiatives such as this one are not only beneficial but should be considered essential.
“Good for the environment equals good for community, health and well-being,” she said, adding enhanced walking and cycling experience are beneficial to current and future Burlingtonians.
“The most important benefit that the trail will provide is in connecting the community with urban nature,” she said. “The further removed people are from nature the less likely they are to care about its protection. A healthy environment is essential to our survival as a species.”
She added that she hopes the required investment will deepen in the years ahead to expand the biodiversity and greening across the whole corridor.
Also in support of the idea was Nick Morrison of Safe Streets Halton, who wrote to the committee that the Crosstown Trail is a key active transportation route that connects residents to retail, healthcare, parks, and public institutions.
"This pilot project provides an enhanced experience for all trail users, and sets the foundation for an attractive crosstown linear park. Along with plants and ecological features, we hope to see lighting improvements that provide trail users comfort when travelling during darker hours," he said.
