The questions of how to better connect the community and make it more active were the focuses of a District of Squamish open house at Brennan Park on Saturday.
The event examined active transportation – in other words, getting people around using means such as walking or biking.
District staff provided information about some of the findings in terms of how people move around for recreation or work.
Municipal engineer Laura Princic said the time is right for the district to think about new modes of moving people throughout the community
“We’re starting to realize we’re missing out in mode shift potential,” she said.
While the active transportation plan is relevant to the broader official community plan the district plan, as well as other initiatives such as Safer Schools, it really is its own document. The issue will be important as the community continues to grow. Even the current OCP from 2009 cites the goal of a balanced travel system that encourages all modes.
“It’s also part of the town getting bigger,” Princic said.
At the open house, district staff sought input on a number of issues, such as connectivity, safety and security, maintenance and accessibility, growth, amenities, education and public awareness.
For example, they mapped out three main roads or trails used to connect the north and south of Squamish: Government Road; the Corridor Trail, a paved commuter trail; and the Discovery Trail near the highway.
The interactive displays differentiated between recreational and commuter travelling so members of the public could inform district staff which routes they use to get around and for what purpose, as well as what the priorities should be in terms of funding dedicated bike lanes or sidewalks for the three routes to encourage active transportation.
Security is also a concern, so lighting, visibility, speed limits, intersection crossings and wider paths are also being considered.
In a recent survey, more than 40 per cent of people indicated they walk or cycle to work or for recreation at least three times a week.
Visitors at the open house made their opinions known by marking which route should be the top priority, adding sticky notes to the presentations calling for ideas such as better signage around schools or snow removal for bikes lanes, and placing marbles in different jars to prioritize how the district should spend its transportation dollars.
“We would love to focus the dollars we have on things that are going to get used,” Princic said.
Last November, the district held an event last fall to take input from the public as well as conducting a survey of 274 people on active transportation issues.
Saturday’s open house was the latest move to engage the public in discussion about a long-term vision for the active transportation plan.
“To make it work, it has to be a collaborative effort,” Princic said.
The plan now will be to take the input and refine the document to present to council at some point in the coming months.
“Now, we’re going to carry on and complete the plan,” she said.
