Greenways Plan information - City of Surrey

GREENWAYS PLAN
Connecting Communities November 2011

A Greenway is …
a paved multi-use pathway separated from motor vehicles for
pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized users. Ideally it
is a 4 m wide paved pathway in a separate off-street corridor.
Where a separate corridor is not possible, it may be built
adjacent to, but separated from, the roadway.
GREENWAYS MATTER
Walking for pleasure or exercise is the #1 outdoor recreation activity in
the Vancouver region (Outdoor Recreation Opportunities Study,
Metro Vancouver, March 2011)
Walking and cycling trails top the list of outdoor facilities requested by
Surrey residents (Parks, Recreation and Culture Strategic Plan, 2008-
2013)
Greenways encourage physical fitness and healthy lifestyles
Greenways create new outdoor recreation and ‘active living’
opportunities
Greenways provide safe and sustainable transportation alternatives
Greenways provide physical connections and encourage social
interaction among community members
Hook Greenway, Surrey, B.C.
Nicomekl Greenway, Surrey BC

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
• Provide a framework for the greenway
implementation process;
• Establish general policies for greenway
routing and design;
• Indicate the general layout of the
Greenway Network;
• Encourage the integration of greenway
planning with land-use planning;
• Establish Actions for Change that
influence operational decision-making
in multiple departments.
Tynehead Greenway Overpass

GREENWAY SURVEY
FINDINGS
79% of respondents use the greenways for
recreation
The most common deterrents to greater use of the greenways are:
• No greenway nearby
• The greenway doesn’t go where I want to go
• Too dark
• Don’t know where the greenway is
• Don’t feel safe
Respondents say they would use the greenways more often if:
• There were more greenways (51%)
• They had more information about the Greenway
Network (44%)
• There were more sidewalk and walkway connectors
to the greenways (42%)
Respondents commonly mention concerns related to safety (road
crossings, separation from traffic, vegetation, visibility)
Shot from Wildflower Greenway, Surrey BC

CITY OF SURREY:
CURRENT GREENWAYS

The Greenways Vision
Building Individual and Community
Connections through Greenways
Surrey’s Greenways provide
opportunities for residents to live
healthy, active and socially
connected lives through a network of
interconnected, multi-use pathways
that provide safe and interesting
routes to primary destinations, major
parks and points of interest
throughout the community.
Crescent Beach Greenway

PRINCIPLE
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
The Importance of Networks
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
Achieve a continuous and connected network of
greenway routes that link people to points of
interest throughout the community.
SHAPING SURREY:
New Opportunities from New
Development
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:
Coordinate, Partner and
Advocate
Integrate greenways planning with strategic land
use planning and facilitate development that
supports greenway connections.
Continuously expand and enhance the greenways
network by promoting greenways, leveraging
funds and coordinating projects among
departments.
QUALITY DESIGN &
MANAGEMENT: Accessibility,
Safety and Comfort
Create and manage a greenways environment
that is accessible, safe, comfortable and
interesting to use.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS –
ACTION STEPS
1a) Plan for convenient and interesting greenway routes within and between
Surrey’s six distinct communities (loops and connectors)
• Regularly update the greenway map
• Incorporate a greenway loop in each distinct community
• ID destinations in each community
• Build greenway around site perimeter when City facilities are built
• ID missing connectors
• ID existing routing barriers
• Continue to put greenways in utility corridors, adjacent to natural corridors, through
linear parks and in Statutory Rights-of-Way adjacent to roads
• Examine feasibility of using some rail corridors for ‘rails with trails’
1b) Provide wayfinding signage and create a greenway image
• Develop sign system that helps users find the greenway network and use it with
confidence
• ID one key rest area in each Town Centre for treatment as a ‘special place’ that
announces the greenway network for that community
Tynehead Greenway, Surrey BC

SHAPING SURREY – ACTION STEPS
2a) Through the development review process, seek opportunities to create more
greenway connections
• Ensure that Neighbourhood Concept Plans (NCPs) include greenways
• Encourage mixed use neighbourhoods and developments that provide greenways
• Ensure that greenway construction is a requirement of development approval
• Ensure effective connections from on-site circulation systems to public pedestrian
systems, cycle routes and greenways
2b) Ensure that land acquisitions for greenway corridors keep pace with
community growth
• ID the priority land acquisitions needed for greenways on an annual basis and in early
stages of NCP process
• Base greenway land acquisitions on the most detailed land-use plans available – NCPs
where possible
Fraser Greenway, Surrey BC

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT –
ACTION STEPS
3a) Coordinate the preparation of annual work plans among city departments
• Joint capital program planning sessions
• Adopt inter-agency coordination as SOP
• Coordinate an appropriate public consultation process for each greenway project
• Improve the collection and management of greenway information
3b) Explore all potential new service delivery methods
•Continued multi-dept funding
•Continue to work with Metro Vancouver and other agencies
• Seek opportunities to partner with the private sector
• Sponsor student research
• Seek out new grants
• Pursue sponsorship and donation programs
• Partner with NGOs and not-for-profits
• More public involvement through Partners in Park
3c) Promote the benefits of paths and greenways
• Speak up on the public benefits of greenways
• Advocate for a new commitment to greenways
• Engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee in a discussion
• Plan a demonstration project for ltd use of agricultural dykes – agritourism project?
• Develop a communications and promotional strategy
64 TH Ave Greenway, Surrey BC

QUALITY DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT –
ACTION STEPS
4a) Create and manage a greenway environment that is accessible, safe and
secure
• Apply CPTED principles to greenway routing and design decisions
• Use public land corridors separate from roadways wherever possible
• Review user safety at greenway road crossings
• Update the Greenway Proximity Study on crime and property values
• Make physical or operational changes whenever a safety problem arises
• Consider needs of children and seniors when planning and designing greenways
• Adopt Universal Access design criteria
• Publicize the greenway user Code of Behaviour
• Consider centre-line markings in high-use greenway segments
4b) Promote excellence in greenway management and design
• Adopt a landscape policy for all greenways
• Continue to improve the ‘look’ of the greenways
• Prepare design standards for pavement, landscaping, furnishings, rest areas and
signage components based on Best Practices
• Advocate for non-prohibitive landscape guidelines on utility ROWs
• Update greenway maintenance standards
168 th Avenue Greenway, Surrey BC

QUALITY DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT –
ACTION STEPS Cont’d
4c) Create attractive, identifiable and informative rest areas
• Provide benches and litter receptacles at regular intervals
• Incorporate interpretive learning themes into the design of rest areas
• Introduce Public Art at each special rest area
Pioneer Greenway, Surrey BC

NEXT STEPS…
NOV
Committee Review
Public Review
DECEMBER
JAN/FEB
Final Revision
Council Consideration