multi-use path
A shared-use path, mixed-use path or multi-use pathway is a path which is "designed to accommodate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists". Examples of shared-use paths include sidewalks designated as shared-use, bridleways and rail trails. A ...
that connects trails in the
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the Toronto, City of Toronto and the regional municipality, regional municipalities of Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham, Regional Municipality of Halton, Halton, Regional ...
as part of the legacy of the
2015 Pan American Games
The 2015 Pan American Games (), officially the XVII Pan American Games () and commonly known as the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games (Toronto 2015), were a major international multi-sport event celebrated in the tradition of the Pan American Games, ...
and the
2015 Parapan American Games
The 2015 Parapan American Games, officially the V Parapan American Games and commonly known as the Toronto 2015 ParaPan-Am Games, were a major international multi-sport event for Disabled sports, athletes with disabilities, celebrated in the tra ...
. The path is over in length, connecting Toronto neighbourhoods.
History
On July 3, 2013, the city of Toronto's executive committee recommended the path as a legacy project. On July 18, 2013, in a 37–1 vote,
Toronto City Council
Toronto City Council is the governing body of the municipal government of Toronto, Ontario. Meeting at Toronto City Hall, it comprises 25 city councillors and the mayor of Toronto. The Toronto City Council 2022–2026, current term began on Nove ...
committed to create a continuous trail from
Brampton
Brampton is a city in the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario, and the regional seat of the Regional Municipality of Peel. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is a List of municipalities in Ontario#L ...
to Rouge River. The original Pan Am Path strategy was to assist the Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan approved by Council on June 6, 2012, by accelerating the creation of an east–west connection across the city.
The first section of Pan Am Path, near Cruickshank Park, was completed on June 21, 2014. Updates on the current East Don build by the TRCA can be foun here and upgrading of the Highland Creek Sectio here
Six of the seven founding members of the Friends of the Pan Am Path group came from CivicAction's DiverseCity Fellows program: Brent Chamberlain, Caitlin McClung, James Gen Meers, Jonathan Asmis, Salim Rachid, and Tanzeel Merchant.Devon Ostrom a curator, artist and advocate with a history of creating projects in Toronto collaborated with the group on this initiative. As a co-founder, Devon sketched out the original concept, named the project and was Lead Curator from 2012 to 2017. Documentation of art works, maps and continued trail construction updates can be found at a archive site here
Route
The Pan Am Path follows existing trails in
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
and includes plans for new trail connections to complete the continuous route from Brampton to Pickering. Starting from the west near the Claireville Reservoir, the trail follows the Humber Valley Trail southward along the Humber River to
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. The Canada–United Sta ...
. From there, the trail turns eastward and follows the
Distillery District
The Distillery District is a commercial and residential district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, east of downtown, which contains numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. ...
and connecting to the Lower Don Valley Trail. The Path then follows the
Don River
The Don () is the fifth-longest river in Europe. Flowing from Central Russia to the Sea of Azov in Southern Russia, it is one of Russia's largest rivers and played an important role for traders from the Byzantine Empire.
Its basin is betwee ...
north-east to
Taylor-Massey Creek
Taylor-Massey Creek is a tributary of the Don River in Toronto, Ontario. It flows through Scarborough and East York, where it enters the Don River. Taylor-Massey Creek has also been called ''Silver Creek'' and ''Scarboro Creek''.
The creek is na ...
. Another new trail will be constructed along the eastern branch of the Don River, where the Path will connect to the Gatineau Hydro Corridor eastward through
Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to:
People
* Scarborough (surname)
* Earl of Scarbrough
Places Australia
* Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth
* Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong
* Scarborough, Queensland, sub ...
. Another new trail will connect the Path to the Highland Creek Trail, following the Highland Creek back to Lake Ontario, where the
Waterfront Trail
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a signed route of roads and trails in Ontario, Canada, running between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie and the Quebec border following the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The trail connects ov ...
completes the Path into Pickering.
Prior to the start of the Games in 2015, a temporary route was completed using marked on-street connections in places where the new trail connections had not yet been completed.
The Pan Am Path, particularly in the Rexdale area, currently features stations along the path for passersby to try rope climbing and chin-ups.