FAQs

The City’s approved 2023 Waterfront Strategic Plan Update includes recommendations for the North Shore Trail to:

• increase access points, from the waterfront trail along Kempenfelt Drive to the North Shore Trail, and from the North Shore Trail to water's edge.
• prioritize the naturalized state of the North Shore Trail, using permeable surfaces for new trails and/or improvements, and the implement the rewilding of native species (where applicable).
• create accessible trail connections between Kempenfelt Drive and the North Shore trail at select locations along the trail.
• create new access points from the North Shore Trail and Kempenfelt Bay at select locations along the trail
• drainage improvements to reduce risk of pooling and flooding that impacts some areas of the trail.

In alignment with recommendations of the 2023 Waterfront Strategic Plan Update and Motion 23-G-129 related to the North Shore Trail Vegetation Management Plan Update 2022, a capital improvement project for the North Shore Trail was approved as part of the 2023 Business Plan for implementation in 2025.

The three (3) sites, near Kempenfelt Park, St. Vincent Park, and Nelson Square, were determined for this project based on:

• existing desire lines to the North Shore Trail and Kempenfelt shoreline;
• distribution of access points along the North Shore Trail, with consideration of general area circulation; and
• opportunities for recreation and leisure activities and experiences.

At this time, the North Shore Trail is not maintained in winter. Winter maintenance may be considered in the future and it is recommended to share your thoughts through the online survey.

Lighting will be explored at the thee (3) project sites at specific trail accesses and segments.

The City and design team are working closely to minimize any impacts to trees through the design process, as it is the City's goal to protect and enhance our tree canopy. Wherever possible, existing native tree species will be protected. This project will include new tree and vegetation planting.