The study area encompassed a 27km segment of the Credit River valley and comprised 650 ha of forest, meadows and former agricultural lands. The CRPS promotes the establishment of additional canopy cover through the reforestation of the valley corridor, contributing to the creation of a re-connected “Natural Corridor” and improved air and water quality. The Strategy included seven “Feature Sites” that are situated along the valley corridor. The proposed designs for each site form integral components of the overall vision. Each site will become an important destination along the valley corridor, having the potential to accommodate unique programming and amenities that will strengthen the diversity of the park system, while offering opportunities for access to the river and an experience of the natural and cultural attributes of the study area.
The CRPS will establish a network of trails that will afford new opportunities for recreation, active living and multi-modal transportation. The Master Plan promotes the establishment of the ‘Credit River Heritage Route’ as a connected trail that encompasses segments of existing trails along with proposed new trail segments to create a unified multi-use trail that connects Toronto's Waterfront Trail to the north limit of the City and links the communities along the 27km length of the river together. The ‘Heritage Route’ also positions the river itself as a component of the connected trail system. The CRPS holds the potential to become a premier visitor destination, offering a well-designed range of amenities and experiences that are compatible with local environmental conditions and reflective of constituency needs. The CRPS integrates innovative and sustainable solutions to improve water quality and heal the river and valley corridor. The Strategy was also developed to optimize the recreational and tourism potential of the Credit River Parks System within Mississauga.