Heidi Castle, North Shore News

Published: Friday, July 11, 2008

NEGATIVE public reaction to a contentious e-mail and the proposed routing of the Spirit Trail between 19th and 24th streets in the District of West Vancouver have brought the project to a grinding halt in that community until at least summer’s end.

“We have abandoned the routing that has caused such concern,” said District of West Vancouver Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones over the loud applause of an overflow crowd of some 500 residents at the West Vancouver Senior’s Centre Wednesday.

District staff were looking at running a section of Spirit Trail parallel to the rail bed north of the track that hugs that stretch of the West Vancouver Centennial Seawalk.

“What has brought many of us here, including council, is a real concern about the integrity of the public process around the Spirit Trail, anger about the conduct of one of our members of staff and opposition to the initial routing of the trail, particularly from 19th to 24th,” said Goldsmith-Jones. “Really you have been the canary in the coal mine on this issue.”

It’s in the best interest of the community, council and the project to step back and reassess, she said.

“We should enjoy the summer, we should not think about this again until the fall, and we should proceed with caution,” said Goldsmith-Jones.

However, District of West Vancouver chief administrative officer Grant McRadu went one step further.

He apologized for an e-mail written by the district’s manager of public works and transportation Brent Dozzi, that some in the community felt amounted to political lobbying, something outside the job description of a public servant.

The e-mail encouraged those in the community with an interest in cycling to attend the July 9 public meeting to push for their interests.

“I was, to be polite, appalled,” McRadu said. This action has hurt the district’s credibility, he said. “We have failed you. I can assure you on my watch this will not happen again.”

McRadu took on the CAO position two months ago. He has replaced Dozzi as project manager with Emil Barth, director of engineering and transportation.

While Dozzi’s e-mail is unfortunate, attendance at the meeting is due to the process council pursued, said Gene MacDonald of 101 22nd St. There has been little to no information about plans for the Spirit Trail along the Seawalk, he said. “Information got out and that resulted in the people being here today.”

Council did not know about staff’s proposed alignment of the Spirit Trail along the rail line until May 26, said Coun. John Clark. “We were not in favour of it,” he said. “I do not, I have not and I will not ever; I think it’s ludicrous, frankly.”

One speaker said mixing cyclists with pedestrians invites hazards, while another said she supported cycling but objected to the proposed route running within a foot of her bedroom window. Some property owners along the Seawalk had sought legal advice.

Fourteen-year West Vancouver resident Margaret Baker said while she’s a cyclist she opposes the trail because it’s too close to homes. “Most of my neighbours oppose the path because it’s right there. You can reach out and touch the cyclists.” She said she invites council to her Argyle home to see just how close the proposed trail is to her home. “I was stunned at how close that thing is.” Other multi-use paths in Vancouver are not that close to people’s homes, she said.

“My concern is that a relatively small group of West Vancouver residents here are taking options off the table when we haven’t had an opportunity to fully consider all options,” said John Morrison, Dundarave resident and commuter cyclist. “I would be very concerned if, as a result of this meeting tonight, options for the section that is obviously controversial are taken off the table.”

The public deserves a full discussion of all the options, he said.

“It is very dangerous out there for cyclists with all the cars,” said Stuart Loewen, the owner of two West Vancouver properties. “There has been very little done, for all the taxes paid, for the cyclists in West Van.”

In concept, the Spirit Trail is a continuous multi-use trail across the North Shore Where possible it builds on existing paths and greenway.

The district received a $2 million grant toward the Spirit Trail development through the province’s Local Motion program, money it can use over a four year period. TransLink has provided $500,000.

West Vancouver plans to pay for the remainder of its trail through development cost charges. Its initial focus is on a section of the trail from the Lion’s Gate bridge to 13th Avenue in Ambleside.

The Squamish Nation has approved in principle those sections that run through its lands.

North Shore News

Friday, May 09, 2008

The District of West Vancouver is implementing the first phase of the Spirit Trail greenway, a key feature of the District’s Cycling Network and Greenway Plan, adopted by Council in 2007. The Plan was developed with community participation and input, and is a key component of the District’s Transportation and Mobility goals in the Official Community Plan.

Vision
The North Shore Spirit Trail will connect Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, providing a multi-use pathway across the North Shore communities, including District of North Vancouver, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, City of North Vancouver, Squamish Nation, and the District of
West Vancouver. (download West Vancouver map as PDF)

In West Vancouver, the Spirit Trail will be a greenway serving as the backbone of our local cycling network, and will provide a continuous and relatively flat connection between the Lion’s Gate Bridge and Horseshoe Bay.

The Spirit Trail has broad appeal. At community planning workshops the greenway was the most requested bicycle route.

Because of its safe design away from busy roads, and its convenient routing close to the waterfront, parks, shopping areas, and major community facilities, the Spirit Trail will be an attractive facility for cyclists, pedestrians, in-line skaters, and other users.

Phase One

Use of the Spirit Trail will be highest at the eastern end of the greenway, adjacent to Park Royal Shopping Center, Ambleside, and Dundarave, where the greenway will be very accessible and convenient to use.

This section of the greenway has been identified for high-priority implementation as Phase One of the Spirit Trail. (download Phase One map as PDF)

Phase One is 6 kilometres and will connect between the Lions Gate Bridge, through the Squamish Nation lands adjacent to Park Royal, through Ambleside and Dundarave to 31st Street at Marine Drive. Phase One construction is planned for 2008 and 2009.

Funding

Funds to develop the Spirit Trail will be raised from Provincial, TransLink, and municipal programs, as well as from private sponsorships and donations.

Donor Opportunities – Support the Spirit Trail

Many enhancements and amenities along the Spirit Trail can be developed as funds become available. Feature areas at major points of interest in Phase One provide opportunities for recognition of donors:

• Squamish Nation gateway and artwork at Taylor Way and Capilano River Bridge to Park Royal
• Park Royal gateway and entry features
• Capilano River interpretive vista
• Ambleside Pond bird sanctuary interpretive signage
• Navvy Jack Point improvements on the seawalk
• Dundarave Park informative map board
• Altamont Beach Park rest stop
• Map board kiosk for Phase 1 at 31st Street & Marine Drive

West Vancouver Parks Department donor programs:

• Tribute Trees (in locations to be determined in conjunction with the Parks Department)
• Tribute Benches (subject to waiting list)

Public Art opportunities supported by the Arts & Culture Working Group:

• Feature displays of public art along the greenway route
• Accommodate a Sculpture Biennial installation

Other opportunities:

• Community information kiosk at the foot of 14th Street
• Greenway signage and wayfinding
• Trail lighting
• Bike parking racks
• Drinking fountains
• Water features
• Special feature areas (rest stops, and plazas)
• Interpretive displays for heritage, ecology, and cultural
  information

For more information, please contact:

Brent Dozzi, P. Eng., PTOE
Manager, Roads & Transportation
604-925-7157
badozzi@westvancouver.ca

published on 06/29/2007: North Shore News

DISTRICT of West Vancouver council has formally approved the municipality’s participation in a North-Shore-wide recreational trail plan. The Spirit Trail Greenway, funded largely by the province is “the spine of the plan,” said Richard Drdul of Urban Systems, who spoke to council on Monday. “It is the only continuous, flat, traffic-free route between North Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay. For that reason it has a lot of reasons to attract people, cyclists and pedestrians,” he explained.

In April, the province announced it would spend $3.7 million on the Spirit Trail Greenway, divided between the three North Shore municipalities. West Vancouver will receive $2 million as its share of the funding in the plan.

Total costs for all sections of the Greenway could reach $10 million and building them all could take as long as 20 years, explained Drdul. He suggested at least half of all costs could be paid for through grants from provincial and federal funds, as well as cycling groups and donors. Chief administrative officer David Stuart added that two-thirds of the costs could be financed by sources outside of district funds. West Vancouver will commit $375,000 this year to start the project.

Three sections of bike paths will need to be built alongside the railway tracks, Drdul said. Eagle Harbour, an area east of Caulfeild, an area west of 31st Street, and parts of Ambleside will follow alongside rail lines. “There are parts of the Greenway that will have to be within the CN right-of-way because we really do not have any other options,” he said.

Kelowna and Nanaimo already have such trails fenced alongside railways, he explained, and Vancouver and Burnaby will soon as well.

“We want to get more people cycling, and more people walking. But we also want to make sure those that are cycling and walking are safer,” said Drdul.

Building the Ambleside and Dundarave sections of the Spirit Trail Greenway will likely be first priority, then the Horseshoe Bay to Eagleridge sections.

But how some connections will be built remains undecided, such as how to cross the Capilano River. At least four options are being considered for that section.

Design and construction may begin as early as this year, Brent Dozzi, district manager of roads and transportation, explained.

Council approved the project in principal so applications to other governments can continue, but final dollar commitments from the municipality are yet to be set.

West Vancouver councillors were celebratory in their support.

“As far as I am concerned this can’t be built fast enough. I think this is absolutely wonderful,” said Coun. Jean Ferguson.

“People will use this if they feel safe,” added Coun. Bill Soprovich, in support.

Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007

NORTH VANCOUVER – A cyclist is in hospital with critical head injuries after colliding with a female in-line skater on a trail in the Seymour Demonstration Forest on Tuesday afternoon.

North Vancouver RCMP say the 42-year-old man was cycling downhill at about 60 km/h when he and the skater collided on a blind corner at 2:45 p.m. The cyclist, who was training for a triathlon on a “very good bike,” was going so fast his helmet was ineffective in preventing the injury, Const. Michael McLaughlin said.He is in Lion’s Gate Hospital where he underwent surgery after the crash.

“He’s critical. He’s not doing well at all,” McLaughlin said. The 24-year-old skater received minor leg injuries but was otherwise unharmed, police say.

Although the trail is paved, police say it does not have posted speed limits or dividing lines.McLaughlin said it’s unlikely charges will be laid in connection with the mishap, which occurred at the nine-kilometre mark on the 10-kilometre trail.

The collision has prompted RCMP to warn cyclists to be careful on mixed trails throughout the Lower Mainland.

West Vancouver: Spirit Trail

The new Spirit Trail project, designed to connect Horseshoe Bay with Deep Cove, was announced April 11th.

The Spirit Trail will be a waterfront-oriented multi-use greenway that will provide pedestrians, cyclists, in line skaters and people with wheeled mobility aids access across the entire North Shore. I am proud to be a part of a team that delivered $2 million in funding for trail development to the District of West Vancouver.

By encouraging pedestrian-friendly communities on the North Shore with an expanded network of bike paths and walkways, people will be able to make healthy, active choices for their transportation & recreation needs.

Trail will link Deep Cove with H. Bay

Province gives $3.7M towards hiking/biking trail; municipalities must match the grant

Martin Millerchip
mmillerchip@nsnews.com

This time the “greenway” plan is genuine – no fooling!

Despite a certain similarity to the front page of the North Shore News on April 1, the map above represents an almost unprecedented level of co-operation between the three North Shore municipalities and the province. And while the red lines on the map are, in some cases, no more than a best guess, the commitment to an east-west trail across the North Shore for the use of pedestrians and cyclists is genuine.

The three North Shore mayors, all four North Shore MLAs and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon gathered Wednesday afternoon to announce that the province will give the North Shore municipalities $3.7 million towards the creation of the North Shore Spirit Trail.

Falcon publicly thanked the North Shore News for its April Fool’s story of a four-lane highway along the waterfront. “They have caused me no end of grief as a result of that story,” he said amid laughter from the assembled media. “Although I won’t be going ahead with that particular announcement today, I am pleased that this announcement is real and going ahead,” Falcon said with good humour.

Falcon announced that the City of North Vancouver will receive $980,000, the District of North Vancouver will receive $708,233 and the District of West Vancouver $2 million.

The money will come from the LocalMotion program, part of the province’s Green Cities project created to make B.C. communities greener and healthier places to live.

While the funding is coming from LocalMotion, the concept of the Spirit Trail was a project approved by the North Shore Spirit of B.C. Committee. That committee was created under the umbrella of 2010 Legacies Now and includes participation from the North and West Vancouver chambers of commerce, First Nations, cultural and sporting organizations, school districts and municipalities. The purpose of the committee is to identify, access and maximize the economic, environmental and social benefits of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

According to Marc Black of the Ministry of Community Services, LocalMotion will put $40 million over four years towards capital projects that provide alternate transportation options to improve physical fitness and safety, reduce air pollution and conserve energy.

The LocalMotion program delivers funds as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, so the $3.7-million grant must be matched by the municipalities.

While the setting for the press conference was in front of the Squamish Nation sculpture Sna7m Sm nit (Spirit of the Mountain) in Ambleside Park and the Spirit Trail is intended to traverse four Squamish reserves, there was no Squamish Nation representative at the press conference and District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton admitted that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation had yet to be approached about their participation in the project.

However, all present agreed that the project had come as far as it has in an incredibly short period of time (six months) given the amount of cross-government co-operation required and were positive and upbeat about the ultimate success of the Spirit Trail.

It’s unclear at this point exactly how much of the trail will be achieved with this funding announcement, or how much more funding will still be required to complete the entire east-west greenway. But Wednesday’s announcement did contain some of the immediate priorities:

- In the city, the $980,000 together with municipal funding is earmarked “to provide greenway access from the Lower Lonsdale waterfront to Moodyville Park and on to Sunrise Park and (Park and) Tilford Centre.”

- $596,033, together with municipal funding, will go towards the Seymour River Greenway in the District of North Vancouver “to provide separate path and on-road bicycle lands and sidewalks as well as a staircase with wheelchair accessible bypass on a 3.5-kilometre greenway that will link North Vancouver’s alpine area with the waterfront.

- $112,200 (plus municipal funding) will be dedicated to the Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen Park Trail, a 1.3-km trail through the popular waterfront park. According to the plan, “The trail will also harmonize with other recreational activities in the park including tennis and a kayak/canoe launch.”

- There is only a general statement attached to the largest grant of $2 million in West Vancouver: “Approximately 15 km in length, the West Vancouver Greenway path generally follows the foreshore utilizing existing pathways, lanes, park roads, local roads and the rail right-of-way. Path segments independent of existing roads will be paved and lit.”

Use of portions of the CN right-of-way is integral to part of the proposed route. While there is no formal agreement in place yet, politicians and planners said exploratory talks with the rail company have gone well.

Officials hope the CN right-of-way can be used to:

- connect Eagle Harbour in West Vancouver to an existing Caulfeild trail;

- connect Clovelly Walk in West Vancouver to McKechnie Park;

- provide a pathway between 23rd Street and 18th Street in West Vancouver;

- provide a pathway through the Squamish Nation’s Mission Reserve in the city;

- provide a bicycle commuter route along the interchange track west of Lonsdale Quay while pedestrians use existing waterfront pathways.

John Fair, president of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition said the Spirit Trail is intended for recreational rather than commuter use. In some places, the bike route will be different to the pedestrian route, but where the trail is shared, Fair said he hopes it will be four metres wide. The intent is to keep the trail off roads wherever possible.