Plains Road Village VisionWalkability Workshops Summary Report

March, 2010

Report by: Paul Young, public space workshopwww.publicspaceworkshop.ca

Attachment #2 to Report No. MO-22-10

2 | Tablit di Cintensts

The organizers would like to acknowledge the following people for their support in planning and delivering these walkablility workshops:

Councillor Rick Craven, City of BurlingtonKathi Laufman, Councillor’s Offi ce, City of BurlingtonBarbara Rusnak, Aldershot BIALinda Axford, Plains Road Village VisionHugh Johns, Plains Road Village VisionKendra Willard, Halton Region Public Health DepartmentCelina Degano, Halton Region Public Health DepartmentVito Tolone, Engineering, City of Burlington Scott Hamilton, Engineering, City of Burlington Jackie Ellicott, Parks & Recreation, City of Burlington Denise Beard, Parks & Recreation, City of BurlingtonGreg Simon, Planning & Building, City of Burlington Rosalind Minaji, Planning & Building, City of Burlington Leah Bisutti, Transit & Traffi c, City of Burlington Mike Spicer, Transit & Traffi c, City of Burlington

Acknowledgements

1 Purpose of the report p. 1

2 Background p. 2

3. Summary of Workshops 1 and 2 with stakeholders and the public p. 3

4. Conclusions and emerging directions p. 10

5. Appendices p. 11

Report Contents

| 1

steering committee guided the development of two workshop agendas – one for stakeholders in the day time and one for the public in the evening.

The planning, development and transportation

context

For many years Plains Rd. has had missing sidewalks, strip malls and empty lots. In contrast, the vision is for Plains Road to compliment and become part of the surrounding community. City staff and Councillor Craven provided background on recent land developments and how the emerging vision for Plains Road can shape development so that Highway 2 becomes an attractive pedestrian and bicycle friendly “main street”.

There are a number of new land development proposals and there are upcoming transit and roadway changes – all in the Plains Rd. Village area. Planning staff are looking to “new urbanism” as a model to bring the new buildings up to the street, to add more pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and to add street furniture and transit improvements. Transportation staff are moving to provide better supports for sustainable transportation including walking, cycling and transit improvements.

The 403 / Waterdown Rd. interchange will be constructed. It will provide opportunities to re-route truck traffi c away from Plains Rd. Special design attention will be needed to ensure the interchange is easily crossed by non-motorized traffi c.

1 Purpose of the report

To summarize the two workshops aimed at refi n-ing a vision for Plains Road as an emerging “Main Street”.

To summarize some of the work already underway that supports the vision.

To summarize emerging priorities from stakehold-ers and the public to move the vision forward.

The Plains Road Village Vision (PRVV)

Committee and walkON

In May 2009 the PRVV Committee met to discuss ways that the committee, stakeholders and public could develop and support a healthy “main-street” vision for Plains Rd. Village. At the request of Councillor Craven, the Halton Region Public Health Department provided expertise on how to establish a collaborative process for supporting walkable, bicycle friendly communities. Two workshops were organized using the walkON model (see note below) and consultant Paul Young of Public Space Workshop.

On July 16, 2009 Councillor Craven brought forward a motion to include the Directors of Planning & Building, Engineering and Transit & Traffi c in the walkON Project with workshops planned for the fall of 2009 (see “Motion” Appendix 2).

Halton Region Public Health staff and the PRVV

2 Background

OnO JJ luly 1616, 20200909 CCouncililllor CCraven bbroughtht

walkON is an initiative of several Regional Public Health departments including Halton. walkON provides information and organizational support to help communities initiate action towards building better supports for walking, cycling and other active transportation modes. See www.walkon.ca

2 | March 2010

Purpose of the two workshops

There were two workshops- 1 for stakeholders held during the day and 1 for the public held in the evening.

The purpose of the workshops was to look at steps Burlington can take to better support walking and biking (active transportation) in the Plains Rd village area. A successful main street has certain qualities that attract people to live, work and shop on or near that street. One of the crucial qualities is the ease with which people can walk or move around without a car. Walkable and bikable streets support a healthy population and a healthy local economy.

Each workshop had three parts.In Part 1, participants learn about what makes • a community or street more walkable and bikable (supports for active transportation). In Part 2 participants learned about projects • already underway that could support active transportation.In Part 3 participants shared their thoughts on • needed improvements and top priorities for the coming years.

Summary of Plains Road Village

Vision Workshop 1 for stakeholders

Friday Sept 25, 2009 8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. at St. Mathews Church, Plains Rd. Aldershot

STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP PART 1

Introductions & Background Information

Councillor Rick Craven welcomed the 29 participants and explained that the vision is for Plains Rd. to become a walkable main street. Many new developments will bring more people, retail and pedestrian activity. There is a need to accommodate new development and bring more people into the village to support a “mainstreet vision”.

Kendra Willard from Halton Region Public Health provided some background on walkON and explained the objectives of the workshop – to identify key improvements for walking cycling and accessibility in Plains Rd. Village. She explained that walkON supports people in stimulating change. Kendra then introduced the iCANwalk checklist – a tool used to evaluate walking environments. She encouraged everyone to fi ll it out. The checklist is available at www.icanwalk.ca/en/how_walkable .

3 The Workshops

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 3

In addition to the workshops, the iCANwalk checklist was distributed at various locations. The results are documented in Appendix 5., page 11.

Paul Young the facilitator reviewed the agenda for the morning and then presented a slide talk on what makes a community walkable with strategies to begin improvements.

STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP PART 2

Various stakeholders presented information regarding their work and its contribution to a vision for Plains Road. Then City of Burlington Planning, Transportation and Transit staff gave an overview of projects underway or planned for the Plains Rd. Village area.

Image: Emerging land developments, for detail refer to Appendix 3 page 12.

4 | March 2010

Work underway in Plains Rd. Village

Linda Axford from the Plains Rd. Village Vision (PRVV) group showed slides explaining what creating a Main St. along Plains Road might look like. She provided some great images of what could be.

Roz Minaji from Planning reviewed a number of development proposals that will bring change to the village. She explained the process of refi ning the zoning and design requirements so that a pedestrian friendly, mixed use community can evolve.

Image: Emerging transportation projects

Tom Eichenbaum, Vito Talone and Scott Hamilton from Engineering explained a number of road construction projects unfolding over the next few years. Scott will be the lead on addressing walkabilty on Plains Rd. A study was done looking at Plains Rd. as a possible route for transit. Using a map, Vito outlined a number of pedestrian improvements in the works.

Mike Speer from Transit reviewed a project to install new shelters along Plains Rd. over the next few months.

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 5

Barb Rusnak from the Aldershot B.I.A. provided background on the B.I.A. and agreed that new developments will bring changes and opportunity to Plains Rd.

STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP PART 3

Walking tour

The group broke into 4 smaller groups and walked a section of Plains Rd. They used the iCANwalk checklist to evaluate the walkabilty of their section. There was a brief discussion afterwards. Many of the comments were captured in the facilitated workshop as noted below.

Facilitated workshop: identifying walking and

active transportation Improvements for Plains

Road Village

The group broke into 5 smaller groups, brainstormed on ideas and reported back to the larger group. The ideas were grouped under themes. Each person was given 6 sticky-dots and asked to vote on the ideas that they felt were highest priority. The votes are shown in brackets (_).

Theme 1. Physical Improvements to Plains Rd.

(57 votes in total)

Improve the streetscaping – add benches, • trees, garbage cans, planters, bike racks, public art, convert parking lots to parks. (19)

More bencheso

More benches (especially at Plains o

and Waterdown)Waste receptacleso

More trees along Plains Rd. o

(smaller species or open i.e. London Plane Tree)

Calm traffi c by adding pedestrian • crosswalks and islands (i.e. at Glenwood and Cooke) (9)

Add a formal cross walk at St. Mathews • and Plains Rd (8)

Attract a grocery store • (8) Signals for visually impaired at key • intersections (5)

Widen the existing bike lanes and add • signage. (4)

Widen Bike lanes so cyclists are o

comfortable and off the sidewalksProvide pedestrian refuge islands where • signals are far apart (i.e. at the church) (2)

Signal at Plains and Waterdown needs • longer pedestrian phase and automatic ped. Signal. (1)

Allotment gardens • (1)

Go Transit stop at Birchwood and Plains • Rd. – needs a shelter, bench, pad, garbage can.Establish public washrooms• Signage to show peds where to walk (i.e. • Townsend)Create buffer between road and all • sidewalks along Plains Rd.

6 | March 2010

Set up an Ikea / R.B.G. shuttle • (4)

Set up a community shuttleo

Improve safety on Waterdown Rd. – • extend the sidewalk on east side to Masonry (2)

Integrate ideas between us, City, Traffi c • Dept. / etc. – need to get on same page.PRVV should make a mailing list• Reduce traffi c volume on Plains Rd.• Create alternate route for Go parking – • Plains Rd. to Cooke to Masonry to Go.Sidewalk along east side of Howard Rd.•

Theme 4. Marketing and promoting

More animation – events, tours, art, • buskers (5)

Find a permanent location for the farmers • market (i.e. the Go station) (2)

Use Bronte Village as a model for Plains • Rd.

Discussion

The group reviewed the themes and votes and expanded the discussion to include challenges and resources.

Challenges

Need more involvement from the rest of • BurlingtonGet general public involved and Council • will respondNeed to give the general public examples • so they can understandWe don’t have a City wide walkability plan • – we need a cross departmental group (at the City)Lack of funding is a challenge• Haphazard development – i.e. too many • driveway entrances alog Plains Road to allow for a pedestrian refuge island or landscaped islandWe need some social marketing of • walkability and intensifi cation.

Theme 2. Maintenance and upkeep (17)

Install new sidewalks where they are • heaving – review standards (width, curb cuts) with accessibility committee (7)

Update tired infrastructure – o

sidewalks, i.e. on TownsendPromote pride of ownership • (6)

Clean up / beautify empty lots (and • enforce by-laws) (4)

Maintain the shrubs on Plains Rd. (clear • the sidewalks)

•

Theme 3. Active transportation planning and

route coordination (46)

Need Council Directive to establish a • cross-departmental team of staff to pursue / develop a walkable community project (15)

Add sidewalks on St. Mathews Ave. so • people can walk safely to the train station (9)

Need supporters of pedestrian • improvements to come out to public meetings and council meetings to give their perspective (8)

Need citizen momentum (both o

residents and business owners) Designate alternate truck routes away from • plains Rd. – provide north-south service – include bike lanes and sidewalks (8)

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 7

Next Steps

The B.I.A. and the P.R V.V. group will • meet to discuss next stepsPublic Meeting on Tues. Oct. 20, 2009• A report will go to Council in early 2010•

Summary of Plains Road Village

Vision Workshop 2

for the public

Tues. Oct. 20, 2009 7 - 9 P.M. at Aldershot Community Pool Meeting Room

PUBLIC WORKSHOP PART 1

Introductions & Background Information

Paul Young reviewed the overall purpose of the initiative: to improve walking and active transportation in the Plains Rd. Village area.

Objectives for the workshop were reviewed. 1. To share ideas from Plains Rd. Village Vision Group (meeting on Sept. 25),

2. Hear what participants think of the ideas and discuss ways they might get involved.

Paul then presented a slide talk: “Why improve conditions for walking and active transportation? Identifying some opportunities in Aldershot.”

Resources

Aldershot is well-positioned geographically • to become a tourist attractionWe have a large concentration of seniors• Have a history and stories• Have existing shuttle busses for seniors • (funded by local business)Have a very engaged and active • communityThe Plains Rd. Urban Design Guidelines • are available and being used to shape new developmentsOpportunity – the existing cycling • masterplan, can we build in pedestrian plans?Redevelopment is coming along Plains • Rd. – we need to consolidate the driveway entries then design a pedestrian island refuge. We can make it a show piece / example. A “Driveway Access Management Plan” will be unfolding shortly.Redevelopments will bring Section 37 • funds for local improvementsOur Council has endorsed the “Pedestrian • Charter”There may be funds for community • initiatives through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund

Parking in front (image on left) is not pedestrian friendly like the building on the right

8 | March 2010

Focus should be on Northshore & • Townsend

bike lanes are too narrow on both o

roads (2)

easier to fi x both -> do it like King o

RoadBike lanes are too narrow on Plains –more • important than sidewalks (1)

Traffi c too fast on Plains • (1)

What about bike lanes • in the Fortinos/Ikea plaza3 lanes on Plains Road & good bike lanes • (5)

Mary Lou’s • West (replace the Bingo hall) (2)

Love the idea of an allotment garden• Change the zoning –no more cheque • cashing placesRemind people to walk facing traffi c. • (2) iPodsBetter snow removal on bike lanes and • sidewalks (1)

PUBLIC WORKSHOP PART 2

Work underway in Plains Rd. Village

Paul reviewed the main themes and priorities emerging from Workshop 1 with the stakeholders (see notes above). Kendra Willard from Halton Regoin Public Health reviewed the results of an iCANwalk mail in survey (see checklist in walkON resources – link cited in End Note 1.).

PUBLIC WORKSHOP PART 3

Facilitated workshop: identifying walking and

active transportation Improvements for Plains

Road Village

The larger group split into three smaller groups to discuss the themes and priorities identifi ed at the stakeholder’s workshop. The groups were asked to comment on the ideas from the stakeholders workshop and to add any new ideas.

Below are the points raised by each group. Participants were then given 6 sticky-dots and asked to vote for the ideas they felt were most important see brackets (__) for the number of votes.

Group 1 NEW IDEAS

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 9

Group 2 NEW IDEASNeed physical Improvements• Agree with points raised• Cyclists on sidewalks are a concern for • seniorsSeparate “off road” cycling facility• Walking facilities on Townsend • (4) –benches? School aged childrenAgree with all other themes• ? about density from Public • (7)

Group 3 NEW IDEASDo we agree with ideas? Yes•

Emphasize or Add?Add curves to road • (1)

Liked parking as one lane on plains • i.e., near Pizza HutEmphasize boulevards• Liked streetscaping • Add safe sidewalks with better • drainage (1)

Transition across roads• Corner of LaSalle Pk Dr. & Plains • needs attention (7)

Room for Cafes & places to socialize • (2)

Involve High School students in • decisions (4)

Glenview & Maplehurst Students also • to be involved (1)

ADDITIONS AND COMMENTS ON THEMES identifi ed in the earlier Sept. Stakeholder’s Meeting

Theme 1. “Physical Improvements to PRV”ESPECIALLY LIKED: Improve streetscape, • Calm Traffi c, Add cross walks and a grocery store (15)

ADDED: Continue Maplehurst theme along • Plains + bike lanes & improved sidewalk with buffer strip + lighting (10)

Attract a market style grocery store • (1)

continue Royal Botanical Gardens streetscape • eastward

Theme 2. “Active Transportation Planning and Route Coordination”

ESPECIALLY LIKED: Get Council support for • a staff team to support the walkability project, Include bike lanes and sidewalks, establish safe routes to train station, public attendance at meetings (10).

ADDED: As an alternative Townsend is sub • par. (3)

Continue Hamilton bike lane into Burlington • (4)

Theme 3. “Maintenance and upkeep”Agree • (1)

Theme 4 “Marketing and promotion”ESPECIALLY LIKED: Find a permanent home • for the farmers market (2)

10 | March 2010

transportation plan for the Plains Rd. Village area to tie together walking, cycling and transit networks and guide future improvements and ongoing maintenance in a comprehensive and coordinated way.

Participants noted that more support is needed at public meetings especially for new developments that increase density (critical for good transit) along Plains Rd. Perhaps development proposals could be presented in the context of the Plains Rd. Vision and how it contributes to improved transit, walking and cycling.

Finally, participants recognized the need to support a culture of walking and cycling by supporting events, public art, festivals and generally opening up the streets for people.

Opportunities

In addition to the major catalysts listed above and the strong support from the City and community, new developments will bring investments and funds (i.e. Section 37 funds) to the area.

Council has endorsed the Pedestrian Charter. Retro-fi tting priority roads and intersections for active transportation should occur in priority areas. In addition, upcoming road improvements can prioritize non-motorized forms of transportation whenever scheduled road re-construction takes place.

Plains Rd. Village can build on surrounding assets like the Royal Botanical Gardens to become a destination.

Regarding demographics, there are many seniors in the area and a population that is actively engaged in its community. The importance of walking and active transportation to health and local economy can be promoted. Bronte village is a nearby example people can look to for the links between walkability, increased density and a more vibrant pleasant street. People should be encouraged to support improvements for walkability including well designed intensifi cation.

Support for change

There are several catalysts for change including the new 403 interchange, new transit improvements, new developments and upcoming road improvements. These catalysts present opportunities.

There is strong support for making Plains Rd. Village a “main street” with good supports for active transportation. This support is coming from elected representatives, staff, stakeholders and the general public. It was requested that Council give direction to staff to create an interdepartmental initiative to create supports for active transportation in Plains Rd. Village. There is also support for making improvements for active transportation in the neighbourhoods around Plains Rd. This came through strongly in the public meeting.

Priorities

Priorities action areas include harnessing the new developments and road improvements to improve conditions for active transportation by adding furniture, streetscaping, refuge islands, buffered sidewalks (treed boulevard or parked cars), safe (perhaps buffered) bike lanes and support for street-related retail (grocery store, cafes, market, gardens and parkettes). Additional top priorities include providing more frequent north south crossings for pedestrians, calming the traffi c and providing refuge islands. Existing intersections need to be re-designed to better support pedestrian refuge and safety (i.e Plains Rd. and Waterdown Rd.).

There was strong support for an active

4 Conclusions and Emerging Directions

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 11

Appendix 1.

Identifi ed key stakeholders invited to

the workshop:

Councillor•

Business Improvement Association (BIA)•

Parks & Rec •

Park Ave Seniors Centre •

nursing home•

retirement home•

St. Mathews Church •

Our Kids Aldershot Hub •

Police•

High School •

Royal Botanical Gardens •

Health Dept •

GO Transit.•

Planning & Engineering dept, City of • Burlington

Ministry of Transportation •

Burlington Cycling Committee •

Marina Association •

Richman -building new retirement home •

Hampton Terrance•

Appendix 2.

Background Reports available On

Line

Motion from Councillor Craven THAT the Directors of Planning & Building, Engineering and Transit & Traffi c be directed to participate in the “Walk-On” Project aimed at West Aldershot during the fall of 2009. (CD-12-09) http://cms.burlington.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=12242

Plains Road Corridor Urban Design

Guidelines (see 6.9 Future Plans) http://cms.burlington.ca/Page2373.aspx.

Burlington West Revitalization Strategy

webpage http://cms.burlington.ca/Page807.aspx and report http://cms.burlington.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=3456

Intensifi cation presentation http://cms.burlington.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=9824

Creating Walkable and Transit Supportive

Communities in Halton http://www.halton.ca/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fi leId=18644

5 Appendices

12 | March 201012 | March 2010

Appendix

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d.

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 13

Appendix 4. Walkability Checklists

Walkability checklists were distributed or made available to Aldershot Residents over two months (September and October 2009) in the following ways:

� Aldershot Library

� Aldershot Arena

� Aldershot Community Pool

� Burlington Post

� Aldershot High School Civics Class

� Walkability Workshops (Sep. 25, and Oct. 20, 2009)

� Checklist available online at iCANwalk.ca

Ease of Walk (Sidewalks) Yes

I could use sidewalks, trails or paths to get where I was

going

76%

There were sidewalks on both sides of the street 59%

Nothing blocked the sidewalks, like bushes or garbage 56%

The sidewalks were wide enough so I could walk beside

another person

61%

I could easily use the sidewalks if I was in a wheelchair or

pushing a stroller

49%

The sidewalks were well maintained 51%

People & Places

I saw a mix of homes, businesses, stores and schools 70%

I could easily walk to stores, schools and businesses 59%

I passed apartments, attached houses, and single

detached houses

69%

I passed windows, not just walls and fences 76%

I met people on the street 70%

Enjoyable

The route I took was pleasant and inviting 73%

I saw plants, trees and gardens on my walk 83%

If I needed to stop, there were benches or other places

to rest

26%

I enjoyed the walk because there were interesting things

to see

51%

It was easy to get to the shops and businesses 50%

The shops and businesses were neat and tidy, and worth

a visit

47%

Safety

It was very clear where I could walk and where cars

or bikes were supposed to be

63%

It was easy to read the signs 60%

Crosswalks were well marked 51%

At crosswalks, I had enough time to cross the street 51%

Cars stopped at crosswalks and signal lights 51%

Cars driving at a safe speed 41%

At night, the sidewalks, trails and paths were well lit 30%

Summary of Walkability Checklist Results

14 | March 2010

Written Comments

If a person did not check “yes” to the statements above, there was an opportunity to provide com-ments. These comments are captured in the following pages. The last section includes ideas to make the Aldershot community more walkable.

Once a person has completed a checklist they are instructed to add up all the items for which they indicated “yes.” The average score for was 13.9 and this falls in the 11-15 category: Your commu-

nity could do more.

Ease of Walk (Sidewalks)

General Comments about SidewalksGrad school and high school students use it at • their perilYes, it was a very clear and easy walk• Could not see any or even a few of these ex-• amplesSidewalk Status• There are no sidewalks until you reach plains rd• No sidewalks - walk on the side of the road - but • area not very busy.Sidewalks were on both sides on Plains rd, side-• walks were wide enough on Plains rdNo problem with the sidewalks• No sidewalks.• There are no sidewalks along this route- with the • exception of one side of Townsend near school.There are no sidewalks or walkways•

Safety of SidewalksNo sidewalks on both sides of the street trees • overhanging in spots sidewalk barely wide enough to walk beside another person. Bumpy sidewalks. Sidewalks not well maintainedUneven, cracked• Uneven and narrow• Big ditches, uneven paved sidewalks/surfaces• No there's too much glass on the road and some-• times my dogs steps on the glassThere are lanes along the street but the street is • quite narrow and has no raised sidewalk with gut-ters. Gutters won't work here so a different way of separating walkers and cyclists from cars

Not interested in Having SidewalksWe don't need sidewalks just better shoulders on • the road. They are narrow, or non existent and very uneven.[The] no sidewalk [issue] isn’t easy to solve here. • I suggest other traffi c separating ideas would be useful like bollards or similarAldershot doesn't have sidewalks and that is just • fi ne with me, it is one of the unique characteristics of our neighbourhood. Sidewalks just give cars permission to go faster, without them we all have to be careful and watch out for each other.Not all of the streets that I walked on had side-• walks. These were quieter streets, without much traffi c, and I did not miss not having a sidewalk to walk on.Sidewalks were not the problem• Accessibility for wheelchairs or strollers• I think wheelchair could navigate ok• Sidewalks in poor at various locations. trip haz-• ards diffi cult for people with walkersThere are way too many bumps and cracks, hills, • it would be hard to do in wheelchairThe sidewalk was choppy in places, would make • it diffi cult in a wheelchair or if you were pushing/pulling a stroller

Specifi c Areas with Sidewalk ProblemsThere is only a line that divided us from the cars • on the south side of Townsend. This is a very busy street and unacceptable.Waterdown rd sidewalk ended before Military rd. • bushes blocked sidewalk. no sidewalks on Military road-busy-unsafe. no sidewalks on Cooke blvd. room for sidewalksIt's diffi cult to walk along most parts of Northshore • Rd - lots of traffi c, narrow walkways off of the road that are not suitable for children or for people who need assistance. Pathways are covered in brush, etc. Traffi c zooming by....very unsafe and yet it's diffi cult to get around in S. Aldershot walking without somehow accessing Northshore Rd. Not to mention that if you choose to fi nd an alternate route - which is way out of your way - you are cut off from the water view and one of the most attrac-tive areas of AldershotSidewalks were not on both sides on Howard • could not easily use sidewalks if in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller curbs on baths

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 15

Having concrete in sidewalk on Francis Road East • Side between Glenview & WarwickTownsend sidewalks uneven narrow in places and • only on one sideSidewalks on both sides of the streets only there • are bushes. Sidewalk ends on eastside Water-down rd, south of MasonryUneven paving on south side of plains no side-• walks on Townsend, uneven widths of walking path west from school (Glenview). no sign indicat-ing walking path vs parkingCould not easily use sidewalks, need repairs. curb • at the corner of Birchwood and Plains on south-west corner needs to be recut. (near the storm sewer) sidewalks should be widerThe sidewalks on Sprucehill are not very even. • There is a danger of tripping. This is a problem in a number of areas.Fairchild and Avendale have numerous bushes • blocking the sidewalk that need to be trimmedWe in Aldershot DO NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS; we • have WALKWAYS only from KING Rd to Lasalle Park Rd ALONG TOWNSEND AVE; these have not been levelled or widened in 40 YEARS. The condition is deplorable, disgustingSouth side of Townsend, just east of Teal Drive the • sidewalk is heaved and cracked due to tree roots and overhanging branchesThe gate between St. Mathews church and Glen-• view is chained during the school year.There was NO POINT in CHECKING the boxes • as almost the entire section along Townsend has dangerous, out of level, broken sections about 2 ft wide; CERTAINLY NOT MAINTAINED

People & Places

Existence of mixed use (homes, businesses, stores and schools)

Mix on Drewlo• Mix was on Waterdown and Plains.• It is a heavy residential area• More local store options would be nice, parks, • libraries were accessible by walkingI'd love to be able to walk to a grocery store - how • about Mary Lou's West??No local General Store or Grocery Store in West • Aldershot is the key issueHouses and school•

Only residential & cemetery• Light industrial, vacant lots•

Ability to walk to stores, schools and businessesCouldn't easily walk to stores and businesses• Some businesses were not easily accessible• Most stores set back with parking at street. trees • planted away from street -non on boulevardThere's not a lot of stores, and there isn't any • stores near by after our apartments came upUnable to cross the street• When meeting people on Aldershot Walkways, one • must be careful as you meet, to NOT FALL IN THE DITCHES, and of course since the Walkways are only about 2 ft wide, one must walk single fi le.

Windows, not just walls and fencesDid not pass windows,• On the walkway all one sees is the back of • houses, but I prefer it as I do not have to breathe

the fumes from vehicles.

People on the streetNo one out• Did not meet people on the street• Too quiet• There wasn't really many people walking at that • timeIt was Saturday and there was lots of every type • of people out there!Character is not a problem here. Many people en-• joy walking, running and riding along North Shore.

Enjoyable

General comments Nothing very interesting along the street• Wouldn't say it was inviting• My walk is very plain• Except for various stores and business, there • wasn't much to seeIt sucks walking there• All it is is normal homes and businesses, nothing • really interestingNot pleasant and inviting• There were interesting things to see in some spots• Since we have a minimal number of Walkways in • Aldershot, the City of Burlington has been saving

16 | March 2010

taxpayers $$$$$ for years in winter snow plough-ing; yet we have to put up with 2nd class condi-tions. As a result of narrow Walkways (2ft Wide); the works Dept snow plough being 3 Ft Wide, for years people's front lawns have been ripped up! These Walkways should be WIDENED & LEV-ELLED ASAP...

Traffi cTraffi c was noisy• Walk was noisy, fast traffi c• It is a main street so it is very noisy • Commercial uses are not appropriate here. Big-• gest concern is safety from carsPlains Road is NOT a pleasant road to walk • along, the 4 lanes encourage cars to drive too fast, big trucks use it when the QEW is too busy. How about wider bike lanes and middle turn lane instead of the 4 lanes??This was a stressful walk because I worried my • kids and my dog were too close to the lineLots of loud traffi c• There is heavy traffi c. Also, the area close to Wa-• terdown Road is commercial, so there are parking lots and entranceways/exits for cars.

Trees and GardensLimited planting• Not very many trees and gardens. Need more • treesYes there are plants and trees, but not good gar-• densThere were some plants, trees, gardens there • were some shops and businessesNot many trees along the way•

Local Businesses Much empty space, solid gold has too much prop-• erty. not appropriate for studentsI would say that there was quite a bit of litter in the • plaza I visited but other than that it was pleasantSome stores unkept• Businesses rundown, signage old. not easy to get • to shops and businesses,Businesses need pride of ownership and spruce • up their properties.Not really easy to get to shops and businesses• Most shops are gone•

Not easy to get to shops and businesses, not at all • neat and tidy

Few benchesNo benches or places to rest (mentioned 7 times)• Need more benches -none between Waterdown • and St. Matthew’s church. Garbage in bus shelter @ Waterdown rdPlains Rd didn't have any benches on it• No benches other than the bus stop• Other than benches in bus stops, there is no-• where to stop and rest or pass the time of day enjoying the day - I'd like to see more benches.No benches that I am aware of other than in one • or two of the bus stops on Plains Road. The only other place to rest would have been at Glenview School, on a swing.There were no benches because it's mostly • homes. There aren't many benches along the way, but • perhaps it is not necessary. I don't miss the op-portunity to rest when walking.

Safety

Separate facilities for pedestriansNot so clear as I approached the west entrance of • Fortinos. Space for cars only.Not clear where I could walk and where cars and • bikes were supposed to be. Waterdown road sidewalk ends.• no sidewalk at Masonry & Cooke• bike lanes too narrow -people riding on the side-• walkThe cyclists were very rude and were a hindrance • to my walk. A few almost ran over my son.cars often travel too fast here and lack of separa-• tion makes walking here frighteningI did have to move off of the sidewalk to allow a • couple of cyclists to passIn Aldershot the Bikeways are almost non existent • & where allowances have been made, cars park on the right-away & in most cases cyclists use the roads, creating unsafe conditions for seniors trying to stroll in the CommunityI did not feel safe, there are no barriers between •

my children and the cars.

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 17

CrosswalksCrosswalks are only effective when crossing • guard is therenot enough time to cross the street if I were a • senior. No crosswalks, not inviting• Intersection at Plains & LaSalle -why pedestrian • signal optional? Tractor trailer came up onto the sidewalk making a left turnThe street light only gives me 10 seconds to run • across the street and makes me wait 5 minutes to cross when there aren’t any cars on the roadAggressive turning movements at Waterdown • Road crosswalks were not well marked, and cars did not stop at signal lightscrosswalks: only one and it’s not well marked on • Plainsno signal at crosswalk• No crosswalks marked.. no crosswalk between • waterdown rd & st. MatthewsSome old people can't control their driving well, so • sometimes they just passed crosswalks when they weren't supposed to and in a fast speed!The traffi c light crossing Walkers Line is very • good, as it halts the traffi c almost immediately and is critical at that location.I saw a car go through a stop sign, & there were • no crossing guards to assist my children who needed to cross the street at Glenwood and TownsendPlains Road is not planned with pedestrians in • mind. crossings at lights take too long to change and sparse at more than a km between lights, with no signalled crosswalks in between. This forces pedestrians to cross mid-block, and this would be easier if Plains had a meridian/island every so often rather than a dual-directional turning lane along it's full length. Need traffi c calming solutions!Crosswalks at the lights could do with a fresh coat • of paint. The crossing signal needs to be longer, for seniors and families with small children to have time to safely cross (4 lanes of live traffi c).Cars tend to do 70km./hr on average. At Water-• down Rd/Plains Rd. its not always clear if you have right of way to cross - the & white pedestrian signal; does not always come on for you, plus there are advanced green signals for drivers. This makes it confusing at times, I've seen seniors confused while trying to safely cross. Signals for pedestrians need to be longer.

Speed of Vehicular Traffi cCars were not driving at a safe speed.• Vehicles driving too fast. • Cars don't always drive at safe speed.• Very busy corner at plains and Waterdown• cars not driving at a safe speed, need traffi c calm-• ingCars drive very fast along New Street - I would • like to see the speed limit reduced to 50 km from 60 km - if cars need to go faster, they can take the QEWSome old people can't control their driving well, so • sometimes they just passed crosswalks when they weren't supposed to and in a fast speed!cars often travel too fast here and lack of separa-• tion makes walking here frighteningSpeed limit on Plains is too fast which is some-• what equivalent to walking alongside a highway.Some cars travel very fast along this stretch. I • would not like to walk it at night because of the traffi c.

Lighting at NightI don't walk at night• not well lit at night• The sidewalk is unlit at night.• Even though I was not walking at night, I know • that the fi rst street light on Shane Court, has not been working for a long timeThis path is not lit so one needs to use it only • when there is daylight or else it would not be safe.Lighting is ok• I walked during the late afternoon, so the last box • is not applicablePoorly lit in the evening.•

18 | March 2010

How to Make Aldershot More Walkable

Sidewalks & Pathways for PedestriansNice to have: a protected path for walking to ap-• proach the west entrance of FortinosOnly complaint is parts of Townsend from Falcon • to King road -too narrow and unevenWider sidewalks with urban Braille wider bike lane • traffi c calming measures More sidewalks from the area where the residenc-• es are to where the businesses are...we generally walk to school but not to local stores (Uptown cen-tre) because the route isn't clear (no sidewalks, no crosswalks etc) so we avoid itThere are Winners, Dollar Rama and other stores • at Dundas and Appleby line. If there was side walk at these stores' side at Appleby line, my commu-nity will be more walkable.East of Shadeland much has been done to im-• prove the shoulders, I would like to see that work extended along Northshore. It is widely used by walkers, joggers and cyclists. We would all be safer with better shoulders. There is a bike/foot-path once you reach the park but it is very steep -- hard to walk up the hill into the park and hard for bike riders -- maybe a bridge in the valley would help and encourage people to get off the road and into the park sooner.Some sidewalks on side streets - wide sidewalk • on North Shore since it is busierThe local politician has given up on sidewalks.• Add sidewalk or protected shoulder along full • length of Northshore, as this also discourages residents from walking in their community.Sidewalks• More focus on bikes and pedestrians less on cars.• Yes, please use police patrol or some other • agency to make sure the cyclists obey the rules of the road. They should be ridden in the street not on the sidewalk.Hurried and speedy drivers on Plains Rd are the • problem.

Street Lights, Benches, Garbage Cans & Plants More garbage cans• Just add lights and some benches• Upgraded street lights around my neighbourhoods • the street lights need to be upgraded so that they are brighter and do not turn off after 10 min.Putting more benches along bigger roads and set-• ting more sculptures so the walk around would be easier and more interesting.Benches for seniors to rest on. Better lighting in • the evening. You could plant some additional trees to improve the streetscape. Thank you.There are wide planters for fl owers that act as • lane dividers further west on New Street, but none in the vicinity of Appleby Mall. I would like to see further beautifi cation of the neighbourhood in this way. Thank you!On a walk on Hager at the Richmond stop sign - • the hedge around the school playing fi eld needs to be trimmed as it is not possible to walk on that side on the side walk - two abreast.More benches and waste containers clean up the • facades of some buildingsWay fi nding signage, streetscape, truck route • south service rd.

Longer Pedestrian Signals at CrosswalksLonger walk signals at traffi c lights.• The city needs to increase the time to cross the • street to 30 seconds, not 18 seconds and not 30 millisecondscrossing guard and a better organized drop up • and pick for the kids at Glenview.

PLAINS ROAD VILLAGE VISION | 19

Stores: For Food, For Teens, and SmallerBring more shops where teenagers can go down • to this end of BurlingtonA provincial direction for smaller more locally • accessible stores is extremely important, other-wise all we will soon have is big box stores that we have to drive to. I used to walk to many more stores, but as they have closed in favour of huge mega stores I have been forced to drive.The checkmark tallying tells a small portion of the • story. West Aldershot is not a village.....yet. The lack of food stores within walking distance is the main problem.

Walking ClubOrganized walking club would help motivate more • people to get out on a regular basis

Other CommentsMy community is just fi ne as it is thanks• I plan on telling everyone about this survey, so • hopefully the word does get spread.The survey sadly lacked any real negative op-• tions.My further suggestions would be better shared • FACE TO FACE, to ENSURE THE BEST CHANCE OF ACTION & FUNDING IN THE 2010

City of Burlington BudgetUnsure safety by a commitment to public safety by • keeping community minded businesses and meth clinics away from businesses

END OF REPORT