Toronto's first ice trail at Colonel Sam Smith Park welcomes leisure skaters

TORONTO, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Councillor Mark Grimes (Ward 6 Etobicoke Lakeshore) today joined community members to officially open Toronto's first ice skating trail, located at 65 Colonel Sam Smith Park Drive (south of Lake Shore Boulevard West at Kipling Avenue).

The ice trail is a unique outdoor rink that extends in a figure-eight shape to cover 250 metres, connecting to the park's greater trail network. There is an open area near the skate changing area for learning to skate, and beyond that the trail winds through the park, offering lakeside views. The rink boasts a refrigerated ice surface, lighting and a sound system, offering many opportunities for wintertime fun.

"This exciting new facility is unique in Toronto. Members of this community are already lacing up their skates ready to try out the trail. I invite people from across this city to join in on this incredible wintertime experience," said Councillor Grimes. "Both the design and setting of the trail make it a not to be missed attraction for skaters of all ages."

The development of the ice trail at Colonel Sam Smith Park is an important milestone in the park's overall master plan, established a decade ago. The Power House Recreation Centre, renovated in 2001 and 2002, functions as the anchor building for the skating trail, housing the refrigeration plant, Zamboni equipment for making and cleaning ice, and change facilities for skaters.

As part of the overall site development and landscaping of this project, a number of vegetation areas were established and protected along the trail, including native species plantings, a meadow seeded to attract butterflies, and a wetland that collects water before it slowly drains into Lake Ontario at the south of the site.

The ice skating trail provides immediate walkway connections to the greater trail network in the area. Trail users are invited to walk adjacent to the trail in winter, and during the rest of the year, there are plans to offer senior walks on the trail as well as inline skating opportunities.

A budget of $2,000,000 for the project was approved by Toronto City Council in 2008, including $500,000 funded by developer levies from projects in the surrounding community.

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For further information:

Media contact:Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, [email protected]