Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in Niagara-on-the-Lake Meeting Date: September 8, 2015, 3:00 6:00 PM At the Centennial Arena, Mary Snider Room Present: Lord Mayor Pat Dart B. Nash K. Moody Councilor J. Collard D. Pratt S. French Councilor B. Disero J. Morley A. Robson Regional Councilor G. Burroughs V. Morley S. Hirsh-Kalm S. Randall G. Walker A. Kirkby D. Kerr D. Walker L. Howe J. Pozzebon A. Soupault B. Howard C. Simpson B. Retzik T. Balasiuk P. Young (Facilitator) P. Farell R. Robinson J. Gervais (Niagara Region) M. Gaudet L. Hunter-Hope L. Gallant (Niagara Region) R. deboer A. Hawley C. Bottomley S. deboer G. McIlhone P. Bergen M. Cherney F. Racioppo H. Washuta E. Aldridge-Low G. Schachtschneider Purpose of the workshop: To learn about what is happening in NOTL to improve active transportation (AT) To share ideas about possible improvements in NOTL to improve supports for AT The results of this workshop will go to the next NOTL AT Committee meeting, on Tues. November 10, 3-5 (open to the public). The notes will help shape the NOTL AT Committee s priorities. Workshop agenda 1. Lord Mayor Pat Darte welcomed the group of approximately 42 people. 2. Councillor Jim Collard introduced members of the NOTL Active Transportation Committee, welcomed everyone and introduced the meeting facilitator Paul Young. 3. Paul Young, an urban designer and facilitator presented a talk on Strategies to improve active transportation in NOTL. Slides from Paul s talk are available from jackie.gervais@niagararegion.ca Page 1 of 7
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 2 4. Several people described work they are doing to improve walking and cycling in NOTL Jackie Gervais, Niagara Region Public Health explained how public health works and the connection to active transportation. Doug Kerr, Director of Public Works in NOTL reviewed a series of projects they are doing to improve cycling and walking such as working to improve safety for migrant workers (cycling on roads); adding paved shoulders; working with the Region (e.g., Glendale trail will go to Homer); preparing for Hwy 55 reconstruction in 2 years; seeking a grant to allow for a trail to St. Michaels School and regular sidewalk construction and maintenance. Aaron Butler, Senior Planner for NOTL spoke about the upcoming Official Plan review and the opportunity for people to add their thoughts regarding active transportation. Contact: lwallace@notl.org for more information. Lisa Gallant, Niagara Region Public Health spoke about the other 9 groups across the Region that have organized to support AT in their communities. The groups meet twice a year to share ideas. Lisa welcomed the NOTL AT Committee and invited them to connect with the others. Lisa and Jackie distributed a series of print resources available through Healthy Living Niagara http://healthylivingniagara.com/ including the guide, Supporting Active Transportation in Niagara and the results of a Walkable Community Checklist review of NOTL by local residents. 5. Small Group Discussions Participants were asked to work in small groups at their tables. They were given two questions: I. Think about one of your most enjoyable walks/bike rides (could be anywhere) and describe what factors made it so memorable (recreation or utilitarian). II. What are some important changes that will improve walking and cycling in NOTL? Groups recorded their ideas on paper and then presented them back to the larger group (the notes are transcribed below) Participants were given six dots and asked to add them to the ideas that they thought were top priority. These votes are indicated in brackets, for example (6) indicates six votes. Higher priority items are marked in blue font and summarized below in the section, Emerging themes.
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 3 Emerging themes After voting, the group had a short discussion on which themes seemed to be of higher priority to the group as a whole. These were: Inventory publicly owned corridors (2) E.g. alternate routes to Parkway former railroad tracks (7) + Inventory of publicly owned trails (opportunities) should be made available to the committee (10) Way-finding & Maps: Signage strategy (7) + Add signage for cross-walks Virgil (with pedestrian operated buttons) (3) + Region wide signage/wayfinding (3) + NOTL org website (6) Maintenance of trails and during winter (8) + Trail Maintenance (5) + Keeping walking trails clearer in winter (snow clearance) (3) + Maintaining existing trails (3) Interconnect (10) + Identify/prioritize travel corridors (2) + Connectivity making use of what we have (2) o Continuing what we already have for walking and biking identify gaps in the network (1) o For residents and tourists o Small neighbourhoods o Pathways, linkages Transcription of meeting notes as recorded and posted up on walls Question 1. Think about one of your most enjoyable walks/bike rides (could be anywhere) and describe what factors made it so memorable (recreation or utilitarian). Table 1 Walking near where you live Not congested, safe, within existing infrastructure Very little cars Scenery Trees Accessibility (wheel chair accessible) (4) Education vs. walkers and bikers (2) Maintenance of the facilities that we have (e.g., snow removal) Table 2 Bruce Trail proximity & scenery Waterfront: Montreal o Maps o Linked to other routes (1) o Tour De L ile
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 4 Safe roads divided (1) Parkway and rural roads o Exploring o Infrastructure (washrooms, food) Celebration Florida o Integrated town and country o Complete town Sanibel Florida o Well defined o Way-finding Table 3 Grand River more natural Welland Canal Parkway beside water Bruce Trail, Queenston to Woodend, hikes and nature (mentioned twice) Different distinct seasons Toronto to Montreal in 6 days NOTL Parkway by water/vineyards and off road Table 5 Safety for walking from Harvest Creek to Stanford, (1) Bruce Trail from St. Davids settlement, shape system of trails that needs to be connected (1) Sidewalk along York Rd. to Lions Club Parkway Path o Wide space and off roads o Trees shrubs, no traffic o Quiet beautiful, close to nature o Birds and animals Heritage! Collapses (concession 1) Biking along pathway to Queenston Question 2: What are some important changes that will improve walking and cycling in NOTL? Table 1 Scooters, motorized vehicles banned from walking paths except w/c (7) Maps of walking biking areas downloadable from Town s web site (3) Wider bike lanes on the roads (3) Connect important significant points of interest (1) Sidewalk maintenance and during winter (8) Discourage cars from accessing the trails (parking is blocking access) (1) Education of cyclists for safety
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 5 Inventory of publicly owned corridors (2) E.g. alternate routes to Parkway former railroad tracks (7) Continuation of sidewalks Residential control of widths of paths, policy and signage, categories of paths (1) Congestion on #55 (of cars) (2) Level of difficulty on trails Intersection education cyclists and cars (2) Table 2 NOTL org website (6) o Downloadable (maps) o All inclusive Interconnect (10) o Small neighbourhoods o Pathways, linkages Trail Maintenance (5) o Town o Volunteers (e.g., to identify problem spots) Region wide signage/wayfinding (3) Access to waterfront (e.g., Ball Beach) (2) Up to date NOTL road map (6) o Points of interest o Paved vs. gravel o Bike paths Identify/prioritize travel corridors (2) o For residents and tourists Question the use of $ funds (5) o Sidewalks vs. separate, multi-use trails o Need criteria to allocate funds Access to trail vending machines, restrooms and water (2) Table 3 Old Town to escarpment access Upper Canada Heritage Trail Expand/Fix/Repair (2) Impact of off-road trails through farm land, need to consult with farmers, choose locations with the least impacts (7) Inventory of publicly owned trails (opportunities) should be made available to the committee (10) Pedestrians unable to cross safely over Hwy 55 from community centre to Anderson Lane/St Andrews (2)
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 6 Create surveys used for walking made available for cyclists as well (2) Reduce speed limit on east-west lines e.g., Concession 2 (2) Pedestrian walk signal should be prioritized over motor vehicle traffic Table 5 Road allowance (too narrow)? Resolution, Town to buy land (1) Maintaining existing trails (3) o Accessible to all people (multi-use) o Road safety pavement markings (1) Accessibility to community centre (1) o More sidewalks Connectivity making use of what we have (2) o Continuing what we already have for walking and biking identify gaps in the network (1) Multi-sue path, e.g., Queenston to St Davids (1) Keeping walking trails clearer in winter (snow clearance) (3) Add signage for cross-walks Virgil (with pedestrian operated buttons) (3) Enforcement Education of bikes on roadways Signage strategy (7) Change in attitude put on hatched crossings (1) o Sidewalks (are too narrow for two people) how wide should they be? o Traffic calming o Sharing pathways is a problem for walkers and cyclists END OF WORKSHOP NOTES
Workshop Meeting Notes Active Transportation in NOTL Page 7 Additional thoughts provided by Anne Soupault at the workshop Education - Code of conduct given to all bikers (by rental places, B&B, hotels, Info Centres) to respect and share paths with walkers and other bikers - Helmet safer create/design a special NOTL helmet for residents and tourists to promote it - Enforce bill 31 with police on bikes (at least in town) Maintenance - Side roads should be repaired as often it is the worst part of the road and impossible to ride unless we go more to the centre of the road (taking a risk with cars) - Gravel from house entrances (driveway) is a risk for bikers. Owners should sweep to avoid bikers falling - Grass on the side well cut specially on turns to keep visibility - Lower branches of trees along the paths cut for bikers - No horse poop on paths New and Improve - Wider areas that can be shared by bikers and walkers (like parkway or part of Rd55) - focus on important roads to be as safe as parkway around the area: 4 miles Creek and Lakeshore - Continue Rd55 at least up to the schools to give children option to bike to school. - No lights except on roads for cars - Larger biking area on East & West and more of that on many other country roads - Connect important points: school in Virgil to old town o St Davis to old town o St Catharines to old town o Wineries all around NOTL - May-be wider path but only on one side of the road if easier Other suggestions - 3 wheels bikes available (or promotions to buy) for older people