The following article was prepared and written by Deb Youngest of our Engineering Department. Deb is working with Greg Buchholz, our Manager of Operations, on this very important project for us. I also wish to extend a huge thanks to WALC volunteers for their great community spirit and their wonderful cooperation and assistance.
"Lake Country is a great place to live – but not always the easiest place to get around. Effective planning for improvements to our transportation network means working with the community to determine current and future needs for all members of the community. Transportation planning must look at more than just "roads" and include components of Active Transportation (that is, any form of human-powered transportation – walking, cycling, using a wheelchair, in-line skating or skateboarding). As part of the planning process, the District of Lake Country has engaged in dialogue with the local citizens group, Walking Around Lake Country (or WALC, for short), as well as gathering feedback from other local pedestrians.
What is the need?
Here are some of the reasons we hear for wanting to improve our Active Transportation Network:
Healthy living. These ladies see a need. Walking routes provide opportunities for exercise as well as a social outlet.
Accessibility. These guys see a need. They rely on the transportation network to commute to shopping and transit.
The Environment. These girls see a need. When asked why they are walking to school instead of being driven, they respond without hesitation: "We don't want to kill the environment."
Safety. These students see a need. Sharing the road is their only means of getting to and from school.
What are we working towards?
Lake Country's Active Transportation Vision is "Making Lake Country easy to get around in safe and enjoyable ways." The Active Transportation Guiding Principles state that all transportation solutions must consider multiple users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and vehicle traffic, as well as considering issues of accessibility. A first priority will be to focus on connecting neighbourhoods to schools and parks in a manner that enhances safety for all travellers. The development of cost-effective solutions that consider the community's environmental, economic and social sustainability will move Lake Country towards its goal - to develop a transportation network that promotes and enhances a vibrant, livable community. The transportation network is such an important component of a community – it is the physical link that connects all of us together.
Challenges
Although tight budgets and cost-effective solutions will help to mitigate costs, there's no escaping the fact that improvements come at a price. Currently, about 50 cents per day per household goes towards maintaining the existing transportation network. In order to maintain and improve the transportation network, the cost will need to rise to $1.50 per day.
Current projects
Lake Country has budgeted funds for several transportation improvements to take place in 2011 and 2012. These include:
- Lodge Road Multi-Modal Transportation Corridor
- Davidson Road pathway
- Camp Road pathway (Seaton to Bond)
- Lake Hill/Shoreline intersection improvement
Celebrating Community Involvement
Lake Country is blessed to have numerous volunteer organizations that work very hard to help make our community great. WALC is one of these. This group is involved in the planning, creation and maintenance of numerous walking paths in and about Lake Country. The District recognizes and values WALC's contributions.
A special note to thank Dev Fraser for his excellent work in the role of liaison between WALC and the District of Lake Country. We thank him for the countless hours he has invested, and for his passion and enthusiasm for making Lake Country a great place to live… and walk."
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