HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Agenda 2021-11-09
Kitchener Cycling and Trails
Advisory Committee: Agenda
Office of the City Clerk
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Kitchener City Hall
nd
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
200 King St.W. - 2 Floor
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
Online
Chair – Matthew Rodrigues Vice-Chair – Victoria Hand
Due to COVID-19 and recommendations by Waterloo Region Public Health to exercise physical
distancing, City Hall is closed to the public. Members of public are invited to view this meeting
electronically by contacting the Committee Administrator. While in-person delegation requests
are not feasible at this time, written comments may be submitted, and electronic participation can be
facilitated by contacting Darren Kropf at Darren.kropf@kitchener.ca. Delegates must register by 4:00
p.m. on the business day prior to the meeting in order to participate electronically. Written comments
will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record.
DELEGATIONS
Anne Crowe, Grand Watershed Trails Network
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Introducing Ashley Visneski (10 min)
2. Places and Spaces (30 min)
3. Grand Watershed Trails Network (15 min)
4. Vision Zero (15 min)
5. On-street wayfinding evaluation (20 min)
6. Events review (10 min)
7. Subcommittee updates (10 min)
8. Staff updates (10 min)
COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATORS
Darren Kropf
Liz Christensen
Ivan Balaban
Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee
1. Introducing Ashley Visneski
Overview
Ashley Visneski has been hired in the role of Manager, Parks & Open Space Design
and Development, overseeing a team of ten staff in parks and trails development.
Expectations of Committee
As an icebreaker, committee members are asked to share their favourite park in
Kitchener.
2. Places and Spaces
From: Sabiha Syed, Mark Parris, Amy Purvis, and Ashley Visneski, Parks city staff
Overview
In Kitchener, we know parks aren’t just important – they’re essential. Parks are more
than the sum of their parts. They are extensions of the communities they are placed in
and contribute significantly to the community’s identity and individuals’ connections
within it. Whether you use parks to gather, unwind, exercise, socialize, play, or
celebrate, we want to hear from you. Let us know what a great park means to you!
Places and Spaces is an update to the existing Parks Strategic Plan adopted by City
Council in 2010. It will re-evaluate all aspects of parks delivery in Kitchener down to the
fundamental level - what makes a quality park in Kitchener?
The purpose of this strategy is to:
Re-affirm Kitchener’s vision and commitment to building and maintaining public
parks
Provide multiple guiding principles and policy themes to inform future park
development
Modernize the process of park acquisitions
Expectations of Committee
Committee members are asked to complete the survey and encourage others to do so
at https://www.engagewr.ca/placesandspaces.
Further feedback opportunities will be provided in the future as well.
Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee
3. Grand Valley Trails Association
From: Anne Crowe, Grand Watershed Trails Network
Overview
The Grand Watershed Trails Network (GWTN) is an organization dedicated to creating
a network of trails (including the rivers) in the Grand River Watershed. We have come
up with a proposed route for a main cycling trail, along the Grand from Dundalk to Lake
Erie, with two options through Kitchener/Waterloo Region. This would be for the benefit
of local recreational cyclists and tourists, and tourism-connected businesses. This map
shows the proposed route with the alternatives in Waterloo Region (and some in
Brantford):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1vQoIjtl20NkJPz4I4KJMjCI9M0e1r3H_&u
sp=sharing.
GWTN is also considering the creation of a Grand Watershed Trails Council (similar to
other trails councils around the province). This would be a forum for municipal trail
planners and other stakeholders to get together to improve interconnectivity and
signage and wayfinding across municipalities. More information about GWTN can be
found at https://grandrivertrails.ca/
Expectations of Committee
For discussion. Please share your preferred route through Kitchener, as shown in the
link above.
4. Vision Zero
From: Faranak Hosseini, city staff,
Vision Zero subcommittee
Overview
We want to make roads, sidewalks and trails in Kitchener safer for all ages, abilities,
and modes of transportation. The City is developing a Vision Zero strategy and we’re
looking forward to your feedback and input on the plan.
The City is taking a multi-step approach towards meeting the Vision Zero goal. The draft
strategy includes clear actions items that will be informed based on your input and
evaluated and revised to ensure continuous progress towards the Vision Zero goal.
Expectations of Committee
Please read the draft strategy in advance at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/strategic-plans-
and-projects/vision-zero-action-items.aspx. Comments welcome. The Vision Zero
subcommittee will provide their analysis of the plan and may provide a motion in
support.
Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee
5. On-street wayfinding evaluation
From: Darren Kropf, city staff
Overview
New on-street cycling wayfinding has been installed on a route that includes
neighbourhood bikeways, painted bike lanes and future separated bike lanes. Intended
to be a “trial route,” feedback is requested to ensure the signs are effective before
rolling out at further locations in the future.
Expectations of Committee
In advance of the meeting, committee members are asked to ride their bikes between
Krug Street/Expressway Trail (between Becker Street and Dumfries Avenue) and
Madison Avenue/Iron Horse Trail, following the wayfinding signs that have been
installed along the route. For discussion, the following feedback is requested:
Layout – Are the signs an appropriate size and style?
Simple – Is the information clear, logical and digestible at a cyclist’s speed?
Predictable and consistent – Are the placement of signs where you’d expect
them?
Progression – Is there a manageable amount of information at appropriate
intervals?
6. Events review
From: Events subcommittee
Overview
A small event with the committee was held last month to celebrate the opening of
Joseph Street protected bike lanes.
Expectations of Committee
Committee members are asked to provide feedback on the event and what could be
improved for future events.
7. Subcommittee updates
Overview
All subcommittees are encouraged to provide an update on their discussions and
actions since our last meeting.
Expectations of Committee
For information and discussion.
Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee
8. Staff updates
From: Darren Kropf, Liz Christensen, Ivan Balaban, city staff
Overview
City staff will provide updates on a variety of projects underway.
Expectations of Committee
For information.