Report to: Development Services Committee Date Report Authored:
SUBJECT: Pathways, Trails, and Cycling Master Plans
PREPARED BY: Shirley Marsh, Senior Urban Design Planner ext. 6900
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management
Coordinator ext. 4000
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Cycling, and Pathways and Trails Master Plans be received and endorsed;
And that during the land use, planning, transportation planning, parks planning and development approval processes the network vision and facility design guidelines outlined in the Cycling, and Pathways and Trails Master Plans be applied as appropriate;
And that the location and design of the proposed Milne Dam Conservation Area - Multi-Use Pathways be subject to further detailed review in consultation with the Milne Working Group to determine the pathway alignments from Toogood Pond to Rouge Park (east of the Milne Dam) and the crossings of the Rouge River;
And that the implementation of cycling, trails and pathways be subject to public consultation and detailed design as approved by Council;
And that staff be directed to incorporate the Cycling, Pathways and Trails Master Plans as an ‘appendix’ map to the new Town of Markham - Official Plan, with appropriate policy references;
And that
Council delegate authority to the Director of
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Both the Cycling, and Pathways
and Trails Master Plans are statements of the Town’s continued commitment to
provide a wide range of leisure, healthy lifestyle and active (multi-modal)
transportation opportunities for the residents of
1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial
The vision is to develop a
comprehensive network of ‘Active Transportation’ facilities that once complete
will consist of approximately 400 kilometers of off-road multi-use pathways and
trails, and on-road bicycle lanes and routes that will facilitate a variety of
recreation, fitness and commuter travel needs. The facilities that make up the
network include; primary and secondary Town-wide pathways, signed only bicycle
routes and bicycle lanes and multi-use pathways in the boulevard of road right
of ways (
The plans also identify various education and social
marketing strategies that can have a positive influence on the behaviour and
attitudes of all road users including; pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and the
general public to produce safer conditions for all, and provide incentives to
encourage more cycling and walking.
People of all ages and abilities should be educated and encouraged to
use
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to;
· Outline the findings and recommendations contained within the Cycling, Pathways and Trails Master Plans;
· Request Council’s endorsement and approval of the master plan documents and maps and their inclusion in the Town’s Official Plan for information purposes only;
· Provide Council with an update on the implementation of the master plans;
· Outline the next steps and direct staff to implement the Master Plans
BACKGROUND:
Requests for
additional pathway linkages have been suggested by various members of the
public and Council. To consider these and other network suggestions the
Development Services Commission determined that two Town-wide studies were
required to set out the means for improving and expanding Markham’s active
transportation system and identify cycling and pathway facility types,
prioritize projects, and determine appropriate levels and sources of
funding. The master plans and the
associated maps depicting the draft network are intended to be a guide for Town
staff, stakeholders and Council to support efforts towards network
implementation. It is understood that projects, which have been identified in
the master plans will require more in depth study, consultations, and Council
approval prior to advancing to actual construction. It is recommended that the
network maps be included as appendix
maps in the new Town of Markham – Official Plan (OP) with appropriate policy
references, and that the Director of
The vision is to develop an interconnected system of bicycle lanes and routes, and pathways and trails, which;
- Accommodates
a wide variety of users
- Is designed to minimize risk to users.
- Provides a diversity of experiences which allow
greater appreciation and enjoyment of the natural, cultural and heritage
environment.
- Takes advantage of attractive and scenic
areas, views and vistas.
- Becomes a visible component of the transportation
system.
- Is integrated with other modes of
transportation, particularly public transit.
- Provides improved connections to existing and
planned sidewalks
- Is more accessible for all users including people
with disabilities and connects neighbourhoods to key destinations in the
Town.
A timeline of the process that produced the two studies follows:
- 2004 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) established by Council
- 2004 Cycling Strategy updated and endorsed
- 2005/06 Commencement of Markham Cycling Master Plan Study and public consultation
- 2006 Commencement of Pathways and Trails Master Plan Study
- 2008 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee endorsement of master plans
- 2008 Town Council received an overview presentation of the Master Plans and staff was directed to carryout further public consultations on both master plans.
- 2009 final draft of the Pathways and Trails Master Plan received
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
The master
planning exercise for the development of an active transportation network was
separated into two distinct planning assignments – the Cycling Master Plan and
the Pathways and Trails Master Plan. The Cycling Master Plan consists of two
phases, the first having been approved in 2005 and commencement of
implementation in 2006 and 2007; and the second phase is documented as the
Cycling Master Plan. The Pathways and Trails Master Plan sets out the means for
improving and expanding Markham
The studies
established the network by identifying, evaluating, ground truthing and
recommending cycling and pedestrian routes and suitable facility types. The facility options considered include on
road bicycle lanes and signed routes connecting with existing off-road
multi-use paths wherever possible. The Pathways and Trails Master Plan sets forth a
vision and strategy to further develop Markham
Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
(CPAC)
Town Council
established the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) in June of
2004. It is comprised of up to 20 members of the public, including one (1)
representative of the Environmental Advisory Committee, one (1) representative
of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility, and two (2) Members of Council.
CPAC was instrumental in establishing the guiding principles for the two
studies and confirming the network recommendations. Route selection was
generally based on the experience of the team, input from the CPAC as well as
the public, decisions made in the field regarding the application of the route
selection criteria, as well as quantitative information such as traffic
volumes, road and right-of-way widths, and distance from key destinations and
the nearest proposed route. CPAC was
consulted at all stages of the studies, participated at public information
meetings and provided comment on policies, recommendations, design guidelines
and network routes. CPAC endorsed the draft Cycling Master Plan; and Pathways
and Trails Master Plan at its
Public Input
Extensive
efforts were undertaken to make sure the comments of Council, staff and the
residents of
- Build upon the strength of the existing
facilities such as Toogood Pond,
- A lack of connectivity between the existing pathways and trails
- Implementation not occurring fast enough
- Users want to be able to walk/cycle to destinations avoiding busy roads
- Pathways and trails are a viable mode of active transportation – they are not only a recreational/leisure amenity
Maintenance and Operation Costs
The active transportation network (cycling
facilities, pathways and trails) that currently exists and that will be
expanded through the implementation of the master plans will require on-going
maintenance, rehabilitation and ultimately replacement. Research into best
practices indicates a range in maintenance costs from $2,200 per km annually to
as high as $14,000 per km annually for a highly maintained pathway (i.e.
lighting, snow plowing, paving surface upgrade, repainting and sweeping bike
lanes, etc.). The Town
Milne Park
Pathway Project
The
work completed to date on the Milne Park Multi-Use Pathways and the Milne
Working Group considerations will be incorporated into the scope of work for a
study that will determine the pathway alignments from Toogood Pond to
5 Year (2010 – 2015) Implementation Program
In the fall of
2009 the Town
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
A funding strategy will be prepared as an element of the 5 Year Implementation Program to support the development of specific pathway, trail and cycling projects. Funding will also be required to support on going maintenance and the ultimate replacement of the existing and future network. To date the following sources of funding have been made available for the purposes of network development and maintenance;
- Town wide and area specific development charges
- Town
of
- Various federal and provincial infrastructure grants
- Property tax to support maintenance
Staff with the input of the CPAC will finalize the funding strategy for Council’s consideration. Staff will also, through the annual Capital Budget process, request approval of specific projects and appropriate funding in accordance with the funding strategy.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
The Master
Plans will assist with the implementation of the following key Town of
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Relevant internal departments including operations and external agencies have been involved throughout the study and will continue to be involved as required through a cross commission staff implementation team and the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC).
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________ ________________________
Alan Brown, C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Cycling Master Plan – network map
B. Pathways and Trails Master Plan – network map
C. CD of Master Plan Reports
Q:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2010\March\Cycling
and Pathways Master Plan Report.doc