7.1 Statement from the Chair
Chair Steffler indicated intent to introduce the diverse groups represented on the Task Force (TF), their priorities and reasons for participation with a view to contributing to a better ATMP.
7.2 Task Force Member Information Sharing
7.2.1 Bill Steffler - Lindsay
Chair Steffler summarized his interest in the TF to include:
- Concern that climate change kills and reducing emissions is a necessity.
- Concern that individual emissions, short term personal considerations and short term political solutions are a big part of the problem, are making the planet uninhabitable, have trumped responsible action and policies and have to change.
- Active Transportation is a big part of the solution, is environmentally friendly, and promotes individual and planetary health and wellness.
- A desire that the ATMP promote easy, safe, accessible connections between neighbourhoods, schools, parks, recreational facilities, commercial centres and points of interest with a well-rounded plan that responds to everyone’s priorities.
- Priorities for the ATMP include: settlement areas as AT hubs with non-motorized trails; the need to connect neighbourhoods to the two major Lindsay specific trails (the north/south Victoria Trail (VRTC) and east/west Kawartha Trans Canada Trail; continue the Legacy Trail as a non-motorized AT trail to Ken Reid Conservation Area as recommended in the Green Trails Document.
- On the grid pattern/connection pattern recommendations include identification of key streets and routes to safely connect pedestrians and cyclists the VRTC and KTCT trails to schools, commercial centres, parks and recreational facilities.
- The example of Victoria Street was cited as a long north/south street with direct access to the Legacy Trail, the Library, Victoria Park, the Armouries, the Farmers’ Market, Downtown Core and Sandford Fleming College residences and local elementary and secondary schools.
- Key streets be designated with signage, road markings, and safety infrastructure to ensure safe and accessible access.
- The importance of the Green Trails document for AT Lindsay detail and a suggestion this could be a topic for presentation at a Task Force meeting.
7.2.2 John Bush - Environmental Action Bobcaygeon
J. Bush provided the following comments:
- Circulation of CIMA+ slide presentation was useful and shows the consultants are on the right track and include a lot of the core values of EAB AT plan.
- The CIMA+ slide presentation’s public engagement plans appear to be on the right track which is important to ensure public engagement and good feedback.
- Slide 22 of the CIMA+ slide presentation is a good map which includes past recommendations and work by EAB members which had not included in the Trails Master Plan. In particular the proposed cycling route from Bobcaygeon to Fenelon Falls is included.
- It is important the Task Force and the public understand the difference between active routes (roads/sidewalks in urban centres) and trails which are more rural in nature.
- Both active routes and trails need connections and intersections to be successful in the final plan.
- A list of core Bobcaygeon AT Plan Core Values be distributed to TF members.
J. Bush left the meeting at about 2:45 pm after his presentation.
7.2.3 George Pineau - Kawartha Trans Canada Trail
Deferred to the next Task Force meeting due to absence
.
7.2.4 Art Hornibrook – Kawartha Cycling
A. Hornibrook indicated the Club’s perspective is mainly related to cycling and comments included:
- The Kawartha Cycling Club was founded in 2006, has about 80 members of all ages and abilities, and encourages safe biking skills by facilitating programs such as CanBike certification. The Club’s skilled ride leaders host scheduled rides in a variety of paces and cover routes that include trails, gravel and paved roads.
- Cyclists have first-hand and long standing experience with the challenges facing the cycling community and are a valuable resource to the ATMP by providing insight on needed improvements and data to support ATMP goals.
- Key opportunities to improve Kawartha Lakes cycling were provided for Lindsay and Fenelon Falls:
- For Lindsay: connecting safe cycling routs to the two main trails, developing a ring route visiting downtown and area attractions to facilitate commuters and support tourism.
- For Fenelon Falls: opportunities include creation of a safe link to Bobcaygeon by adding hard shoulder bike routes on Country Roads 121 and 8 and improving Short Street in Fenelon Falls to allow cyclists to safely bike out of town.
- Goals for the ATMP should include: signage upgrading to improve driver awareness along recognized routes; safe and practical connections and routes; accommodation of both leisure and commuting cycling in existing neighbourhoods, trails, parks, towns and schools; identification of infrastructure opportunities such as parking facilities, bicycle friendly road crossings, etc.; costing and potential sources of funding; a comprehensive cycling training plan be developed as about 80% of incidents with cars are partially the fault of the cyclist.
7.2.5 John Speirs/Greg Scott - East Cameron Lake, Fenelon Falls
J. Speirs comments included:
- Long time residency and extensive local knowledge with a focus on Fenelon Falls.
- Active Transportation should be a City priority with well-documented physical/mental health benefits and because Kawartha Lakes needs to catch up with world wide efforts on AT.
- Fenelon Falls is known for its hub around the locks and has challenges which should be a focus for AT such as the crossing of its small narrow bridge heavy with car traffic, especially for schools west of the bridge.
- The Victoria Rail Trail travels to North Line road, is heavily used, has about 200 residents close to the trail and functions as a neighbourhood sidewalk. Use of the trail is very high with extended families, out of towners and ATV users.
- Walkers/ joggers of all age groups include the elderly and pets with recent trends in ebikes.
- Elements which are serious impediments to use include high use, noise/dust which point to the primary AT objective of safe and enjoyable trail use.
The presentations raised the following questions/comments:
- The biggest problem noted was conflict with ATV users on the AT trail and the ATMP should include the principal of non-motorized use only for AT. A suggestion to approve a motion supporting this approach was deferred to a later stage of the ATMP.
- The Trails Master Plan is separate from the ATMP but integration between the Plans is important and that some elements of the Trails Master Plan were deferred to the ATMP.
- Connecting trails be part of the ATMP and not just focus on roadways/shoulders and urban treatments. Connectivity of trails throughout the whole City is a key issue and a core principal to connect sidewalks, new developments, trails, rivers and shorelines, etc. Reference was made to the CIMA+ slide presentation which shows connections to natural areas, rural cycling connections and in-park trails in the urban area. Trail to trail connections from natural area to natural area are not part of the ATMP.
- The terminology of the Jump In page be rechecked to ensure the distinction between Active Routes and Trails is clear and reflect the Terms of Reference of City Council for the ATMP.
- Signage and road cycling paints were discussed to address crossing the Fenelon Falls bridge with a difference of opinion on the difficulties of crossing the bridge for joggers, cyclists, families with youngsters.
- Paddling and water trails be included and the old Dunsford Trail has been left to deteriorate.
- Coordination of the Trails Master Plan and ATMP will occur through the implementation process.
- There is a need for a walking trail from Bobcaygeon to Lindsay with the example of the Bruce Trail cited which crosses both public and private lands.
- General consensus of the Task Force is that trails are part of the ATMP at least in certain sections.
- Of key importance is to ensure future developments are user friendly with AT, connect trails and AT trails/routes and connections be part of the planning process and design standards for new development.
- There is a need to have the Task Force more quickly get into detail on the specific connections, routes and design details of the ATMP.
- Clarification of the format of the Jump In page’s archival details, phasing/time of the ATMP and reassurance that public consultation, including input from schools, will occur throughout all phases of the ATMP.
D. Broadworth introduced himself and indicated:
- A resident of Lindsay for about 10 years who has been actively involved in Durham Region in traffic engineering, cycling and cycling facilities design on a daily basis and his background in traffic engineering can assist the TF.
- There is a need for multi-use paths in the urban areas and not everyone is in close proximity to the two established Lindsay trails.
- Will not cycle on Angeline or Kent Streets due to the volume of vehicular traffic and lack of protection to vulnerable users.