22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 8, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Walk and Bike for Life picks up cash Walk and Bike for Life has been awarded both the Communities in Action Fund and the Trails for Life grants from the Ministry of Health Promotion for their Community-Led Action Plan and Trails for Active Transportation projects. Walk and Bike for Life is a non-profit organization based in Port Credit and led by an Oakville resident, with a mission to promote walking and cycling as a recreational activity and as a healthier, more sustainable mode of transportation. While Walk and Bike for Life has in the past worked on projects across Canada and abroad, the organization is pleased to be able to do more work closer to home. "We have been working hard over the long term to build our presence in Ontario, and these grants will help us to do just that. The projects will allow us to build capacity and create a greater influence throughout many areas of the province, most notably, Hamilton, Halton, and Peel regions, as well as the Waterfront communities," said Sarah Rotz, project manager for Walk and Bike for Life. Walk and Bike for Life will be developing and implementing a series of public meetings, workshops, and follow-up resources in a total of 22 different communities across Ontario between October 2008 and "It is not about baby steps, with issues such as global warming, the obesity crisis, traffic congestion and economic problems, we need to take major leaps." Gil Penalosa, executive director Walk and Bike for Life March 2009. The goal of the workshops is to encourage and support citizen participation in needs assessment, planning, communication and implementation strategies to create more livable, and active public spaces. In addition, the project aims to promote trails, greenways, and parks as great spaces that are accessible for ALL community members. Walk and Bike for Life is collaborating with Green Communities Canada (www.greencommunitiescanada.org) on this project as part of a larger strategy to help create communities where people choose to walk. Gil Penalosa, an internationally renowned walking and cycling expert, executive director of Walk and Bike for Life and Oakville resident, will be facilitating the workshops across the province. "Basically we want to facilitate the process for communities to organize and advocate for much better pedestrian and bicycling facilities and to create healthier communities where the residents will live happier. It is not about baby steps, with issues such as global warming, the obesity crisis, traffic congestion, and economic problems, we need to take major leaps," said Penalosa. All community groups and interested partners are encouraged to contact Rotz (Hamilton, Halton and Peel regions) or Amanda O'Rourke (Waterfront Trail and Northern communities) at Walk and Bike for Life if they are interested in collaborating to organize a workshop and develop an action plan for their community. NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OAKVILLE SOUTHWEST WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PHASE III UPGRADES TOWN OF OAKVILLE PR-2419A Study Comments Process Mr. Garry Boychuk, P. Eng. Mr. Hal Lewis, P.Eng. Be Water Wise this Summer Gary Carr www.halton.ca/waterconservation 080808