HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-131 - Council Input on the Cycling and Trails Master Plan
REPORT TO: Council
DATE OF MEETING: May 27, 2019
SUBMITTED BY: Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7738;
Liz Christensen, Multi-use Pathways & Trails Project Manager,
519-741-2600 ext. 4032
PREPARED BY: Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7738;
Niall Lobley, Director, Parks and Cemeteries,
519-741-2600 x 4518
WARD (S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: May 10, 2019
REPORT NO.: DSD-19-131
SUBJECT: Council input on the Cycling and Trails Master Plan
__________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: For Discussion
BACKGROUND:
A number of policies and/or master plans have been developed over the past decade that
support and guide implementation of active and sustainable transportation as well as trail use
and recreation, however primary direction has been guided by the Cycling Master Plan and the
Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan. The Cycling Master Plan was developed in 2010
and has been the guiding framework for the development of cycling facilities within the City of
The Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Master Plan was
established in 2012 and has been the guiding framework for the implementation of off-road trails.
Due to the age of these documents, changes in legislation and growth and intensification in the
City of Kitchener, a comprehensive Cycling and Trails Master Plan review was launched in
January 2019. The integration of both master plans is an opportunity to consider a system wide
approach that addresses the future needs of active transportation and recreation trail use within
our communities.
With approximately 185 kilometers of trails and 50 kilometers of on-road cycling facilities,
Kitchener has a solid foundation for active transportation that is currently enjoyed by many
residents across the city. The new Cycling and Trails Master Plan will serve as a catalyst for
building a city that is known for its innovation and leadership in its trails and cycling infrastructure.
REPORT:
The primary goal of the Cycling and Trails Master plan will be to create a plan that identifies
and prioritizes opportunities to provide connected networks of cycling and pedestrian
infrastructure for both recreational users and commuters. As such, the plan should be
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
considered both from a neighbourhood scale as well as a city wide scale. This plan must
include an infrastructure network that is safe and comfortable for all ages and abilities. There
are several important key deliverables:
Identify a broader integrated and interconnected network between (existing and
proposed) on-road cycling facilities, multi-use pathways, community trails, recreational
trails and city features such as parks, natural areas, leisure/recreations/sport hubs,
community centres, schools and commercial districts;
Establish a cycling and trails network hierarchy and/or priority ranking that identifies
classification for commuter users and recreational users;
Identify a City Minimum Maintenance Standard for the various trail classifications
proposed.
Identify a city-wide separated minimum network for cyclists, including infrastructure type
and costs of implementation and maintenance;
Identify a minimum winter active transportation network, including equipment
requirements and associated costs;
Develop signage design standards for wayfinding/routing and/or distance signing for
both the on-road and off-road networks, with consideration given to existing wayfinding
in place in other Waterloo Region jurisdictions;
Develop a branding strategy for trails;
Develop a framework to facilitate prioritization of trails and cycling infrastructure
investment;
Citizen and stakeholder consultation will also form a significant portion of the Cycling and Trails
Master Plan development. Innovative methods that exceed the norms for community
engagement aimed will build upon the engagement that began in the summer of 2018 through
Dhillon consulting and 8 80 Cities
are engagement consultants that have been selected to be part the overall project team. They
specialize in unconventional engagement strategies that get people informed, involved, and
excited about new initiatives in their cities in a creative, interactive manner.
The purpose of this strategy session is to update Council as to the progress made on the
Cycling and Trails Master Plan to date, as well as ask that Council consider and provide input
on the following questions:
What does Council like about the current state of cycling and trails in the City of
Kitchener?
What does Council not like about the current state of cycling and trails in the City of
Kitchener?
What does a successful Master Plan look like to Council?
Out of the key deliverables, what are the most important?
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority: Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
Strategy: SE12 - Cycling and Trails Master Plan Review
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital budget has been allocated to the Cycling and Trails Master Plan Update. There is no
additional funding request at this time. Implementation funding will be sought through future
budget process, if and when required.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT
A Community Working Group has been established that is comprised of 21 community
members that are representative a broad cross section of the City of Kitchener;
10 wards in summer 2018;
th
day (June 8, 2019) at the
Stanley Park Community Center;
Additional community engagement events will be conducted between the months of
June and September and will be communicated to Council for information.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services,
Development Services Department;
Denise McGoldrick, General Manager of Infrastructure Services,
Infrastructure Services Department
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.