City of Toronto and partners unveil Pan Am Path

TORONTO, June 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto City Councillor Frances Nunziata (Ward 11 York South-Weston) and the Friends of the Pan Am Path cut the ribbon on a newly completed section of the Pan Am Path in Cruickshank Park and officially launched the Path.

"By establishing this unique link to many of Toronto's diverse neighbourhoods and communities, the Pan Am Path will create opportunities for art and music, public space enrichment, tourism and commerce," said Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. "The Path is a perfect example of the celebration, investment and legacy that the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games will bring to Toronto. I encourage all residents to cycle and walk on the Path – it's a great way to be physically active and learn more about our city."

The Pan Am Path is an 84-kilometre continuous path for walking, running, cycling and wheeling that connects the city from east to west. Much of the route lies on existing trails and pathways. Work has been underway to add new connections, route improvements and signage to provide a recreation and transportation route that will serve as a functional connection to various Pan Am Games venues during the summer of 2015.

"The Pan Am Path aims to unite the downtown core and the inner suburbs through the power of art, sport ovand culture," said Brent Chamberlain, Chair of the Friends of the Pan Am Path. "We're excited to celebrate this small step forward with UrbanArts and Jane's Walk in Weston Mt. Dennis. Many thanks to our supporters at the City of Toronto, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council in helping carry out this vision."

In the weeks leading up to the Games, the Pan Am Path will feature art installations, cultural activities and mini-celebration events to showcase the vibrant communities that exist along the route. These activations will spread throughout 21 wards at 14 locations and feature 21 local organizations and artists co-ordinated by the Friends of the Pan Am Path, a not-for-profit organization working to raise necessary funds to curate the programming.

Today's launch event featured an art activation by UrbanArts and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a guided bike ride on the Path. A walking tour of the local area was led by Jane's Walk.

After the TORONTO 2015 Games, the Pan Am Path will remain as a lasting legacy of transportation, health, community and cultural benefits.

The Pan Am Path is one of the projects included in the Host City Showcase Program. This program was approved by City Council in 2013 to enhance the experience of the Games for residents and visitors while advancing the City's economic development and tourism, sport development and healthy living, and resident engagement and cultural celebration goals.

For more information about the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and Toronto's Host City Showcase Program visit http://www.toronto.ca/panam2015. To learn more about the Pan Am Path visit http://www.panampath.org.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media contacts: Andrea Gonsalves, Strategic Communications, 416-397-4149, 416-200-3660 (cell), [email protected]; Devon Ostrom, Friends of the Pan Am Path, 416 528 5747, [email protected]