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Park board abandons plans for Kits Point bike path

February 17th, 2014 · 172 Comments

This just out.

Statement from the Park Board Chair on the Hadden and Kitsilano Beach Path

Park Board Chair Niki Sharma issued the following statement this evening regarding the proposed path in Hadden and Kitsilano Beach parks, and the related lawsuit.

“We’ve heard clearly from the public that there is significant concern with any proposed changes to Hadden Park.  Tonight, the Park Board gave direction to staff to discontinue proceeding with any options for a new path through Hadden Park, and to communicate that to the petitioner in the B.C. Supreme Court application.  The Park Board will not be pursuing a new separated path through Hadden Park or at Kits Beach.

“The Park Board will continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the safety and enjoyment for both cyclists and pedestrians. The Board directed staff to explore ways to improve safety on the existing route through Hadden and Kitsilano Beach Park.  Staff will also be relocating the funds from this project to other pedestrian and cycling safety priorities for the Park Board around the city.”

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  • Bill

    @ Chris Keam #121

    If your comment had left it at what a wonderful day you had on the seawall it would have elicited no response but you cynically added your “concern” for your kid’s safety. If you had significant concern about your kid’s safety you would not have put them in that situation. I don’t believe you are irresponsible so I think your faux concern is just to score a point.

  • teririch

    @Chris Keam #147:

    I could be wrong about Mr. Kasting, but I could be right too.

    I am basing my opinion on what is stated in the link -it leads to the idea that he stepped up and volunteered his time – which is not unheard of and sometimes people do interstingthings when it comes to a common cause. As Mr. Kelsey stated ‘It takes a village to fight city hall’. (I do hope he runs for PB)

    You can come to your own conclusions.

    As for Megan Carver Davis – was she not once married to a Harlem Globetrotter?

  • Chris Keam

    “Only when we had to utilize streets did I feel concern, not for my kid’s skills, but because of motorist behaviours.”

    Not ‘significant’ concern, nor am I irresponsible.

    If you hadn’t shot your mouth off without finding out the details (street portion of the ride was 14 blocks on designated/calmed bike routes) you wouldn’t look like an idiot for suggesting I add to road congestion and parking issues in Fairview Slopes — instead of teaching my kid some basic cycling skills that are necessary whether riding recreationally or for transportation.

    You can think whatever you like but I’m unaware how you can discern intent over the Internet. Take it at face value or keep your sticky beak to yourself please.

    I think you’re a victim of the increased levels of CO poisoning common to motor vehicle interiors. Are you getting sleepy or just stupider Bill? You should get that looked at.

    http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/1999/in_car_facts.htm

    “Levels of some air pollutants are up to 10 times higher inside vehicles than in outside air. Specifically, the study found levels of volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, formaldehyde and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), as well as carbon monoxide were up to 10 times higher inside vehicles than at fixed monitoring stations. The variations depended on the pollutant, the type of road, the level of traffic and the type of vehicle being followed.”

    Back in the ignore file.

  • Chris Keam

    @teririch – the article refers to Mr Kastings ‘client’

    You may be right. But the article doesn’t make that implication. Facts. They are lovely things. More of them is better.

  • Jeff Leigh

    @ Teri Rich #139

    We were discussing Cornwall from Arbutus to Balsam when you joined in.

    If you only want to talk about Balsam, then why are you bringing up Stephens? It isn’t anywhere near Kits Beach Park, which is the subject under discussion.

    Back to the seniors at Balsam. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could go to the park? And have a safe place to walk? This thread is about the park after all.

  • Bill

    @Chris Keam #153

    “not for my kid’s skills, but because of motorist behaviours.”

    “(street portion of the ride was 14 blocks on designated/calmed bike routes)”

    “teaching my kid some basic cycling skills”

    First your kid has the skills but you were concerned about motorist behaviours and now your position is you really need to teach your kid basic cycling skills and you were on a designated/calmed bike route. These two situations would seem to be contradictory but I never underestimate your ability to rationalize your shifting positions.

  • teririch

    @Jeff Leigh #155:

    Stephens is next to Trafalgar which leads right down to Kits Beach and is now part of the ‘bike path’. So it is relevant.

    Stephens however does not directly connect in anyway to Pt. Grey Rd.

    They’ve closed off the street to traffic at the Cornwall entrance.

    So between the closing of Pt. Grey Road (1 – 2 blocks over) and now shutting down access this to street it is like a jigsaw puzzle trying to navigate the area.

  • gman

    I see the spin masters are going a thousand miles an hour on this one…too funny.The spin is a far cry from the unbending arrogant comments we heard when this was “A DONE DEAL”.
    I can hardly wait for the total gridlock in the whole neighborhood coming this summer due to the PGR closure.But the best thing will be the ribbon cutting ceremony when they reopen PGR.

  • Chris Keam

    (channeling Dan Ackroyd)

    Bill you ignorant tool. I’m building on my kid’s skills gradually. She has enough skills that she can navigate quiet streets now, and as she gains experience there, we move to more complex scenarios. So, I can be at once confident in one scenario, and more wary in others. All in the same bike ride Bill. Doesn’t that just blow your little mind???

    Look, I’m sorry that you appear to be a bitter and foolish fellow. But really, it’s not that hard to understand how one learns things by building upon our experiences. You sir, are the one trying to score political points at every opportunity. Little wonder that you see this loathsome attribute in others.

  • teririch

    @gman #158

    It will be real interesting during the summer months, when school is out and Kits Beach becomes a well sought destination point.

    Typically the roads are jammed packed and parking is at a premium which starts right after the parking restriction that is in place during the morning commute, ends.

    Equally interesting will be during fireworks when families flood to the area with many spending the better part of the day at the beach and packing in all their goodies for their day.

  • gman

    teririch,see you at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

  • Jeff Leigh

    @Teri Rich #157

    I understand your confusion now. You didn’t know that Cornwall only runs west to Trafalgar. Stephens does intersect Point Grey Road.

    I can see how navigation could be a challenge.

  • Jeff Leigh

    I would have thought that anyone concerned about the lack of parking at Kits Beach would be in favour of bicycle routes. Every person that uses one potentially takes another car out of that parking lot competition, leaving more spaces for those who choose to drive.

  • waltyss

    teri the rich @ 158: Facts! Troublesome facts! Jeff Leigh beat me to the punch but Stephens does run directly into Point Grey Road.
    I guess working 50-60 hours per week (posting on this blog? Hope you don’t claim overtime for this “work”) doesn’t allow time for research.
    And of course, closing off Stephens to vehicular traffic from the north end just made driving in Kits ” a jigsaw puzzle”. Where exactly would you be going that it would affect you? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, to the mayor’s house to take a picture of whoever may or may not be visiting.
    If one looks at a map, it would appear that going up Stephens is the most logical route for cyclists before they connect into cyclist/pedestrian only PGR.
    I suspect the jigsaw puzzle is much like the gridlock that rich and the Kits Chamber of Commerce want us to believe we are experiencing ever since PGR was closed to vehicles. For some strange reason, regardless of the time of day that I drive through that area, no gridlock. Tant pis!

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  • teririch

    @ Waltyss:

    Do you live in the area?

    Do you see the traffic changes that the closing of Pt. Grey Road is experiencig on a day-to-day basis?

    Just curious what provides you with your first hand knowledge that trumps those that live or work in the immediate area?

    Stephens Street connects to Cornwall and runs parallel to MacDonald which does interesect with Pt. Grey Rd. Stephens does not directly connect to Pt. Grey as I said in #157. But why let facts get the way, right?

    yearshttps://www.google.ca/#q=google+map+stephens+street+vancovuer+BC

  • teririch

    @Jeff Leigh #162:

    Does it?

    https://www.google.ca/#q=google+map+stephens+street+vancovuer+BC

  • teririch

    Waltyss:

    As you seem so curious about my work life – I start at 6:00 am and finish anywhere from 10 pm – 2 am depending. That is just Monday – Friday.

    Typically lunch is at my desk and I don’t really coffee so….

    Now if you are satisifed you can add those to the notes you seem to be keeping on me.

  • Bill

    @Chris Keam #159

    “(channeling Dan Ackroyd)”

    Channeling your inner waltyss would be more accurate. Classic Chris. You take a shot in passing and then when you are called on it you pick up your shovel and don’t stop digging until all you have left is name calling. Mind you waltyss starts out of the gate with name calling but I guess being compared favourably to waltyss is damning with faint praise.

  • waltyss

    Ms. Rich: diid you even bother to look at the map you posted a link to? Stephens runs into Point Grey Road not Cornwall as Cornwall ends at Trafalgar. on the map you posted a link to. Do we add blindness to your proclivity for lack of facts?
    Do I live in the area? No but I commuted in the evening on Cornwall and Point Grey Road and now am on the other streets (Macdonald, 4th, Broadway and 16th. No gridlock.
    Are some people having some issues getting used to new routes on some side streets. Possibly, but so what? It will pass. You and the Kits Cof C are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.
    As for your work life, I have zero interest in it unless it affects other people, like when you are snooping around the neighbourhood. I also find it amusing that while you claim to work 50-60 hours per week, you have all sorts of time to post innumerable posts on this blog. So I take your numbers with a grain of salt but I do hope you are being paid overtime for all those hours you claim you are working.
    I can assure you that I keep not one note about you; you are of interest only to the extent that you habitually post as fact stuff that has no basis in fact and never, ever withdraw your allegations or apologize when you are shown to be wrong. Which is often! The intersection of Stephens and Point Grey Road being only the latest example.

  • Jeff Leigh

    @Teri #166

    Yes it does. As your map link shows. I hadn’t trusted google, but I remembered the months of consultation where this intersection was discussed, and I had confirmed with Van Map on the city site.

    Glad to help out. You are welcome. Perhaps navigation will be easier for you now.

  • waltyss

    teririch:
    Just in case Google maps is wrong, the signage at the corner of Point Grey Road and Stephens says just that. You are usually snooping around the Mayor’s house, which is right there so you can see for yourself.

  • susan smith

    The very local and vocal minority of status quo advocates for keeping Hadden Park as it is have made a tactical error; as a result of insisting that nothing be done, nothing will be done to that withered, unkempt, underutilized area, which could be beautified, trimmed, fertilized and updated for all Vancouverites to enjoy. Instead, the funds that were allocated for that purpose will now be applied to other parts of the city. For anyone who has ever walked, run or cycled the existing paved pathway through Hadden Park, there is no question that the path cannot accommodate all would-be users and is a congested dodge-a-thon, with users having to wait, or push past others. Accidents are inevitable there. It is shameful that a few left-over hippies want to prevent a green space from being maintained and beautified for more people to use, and use safely. I believe that the few local residents who selfishly threatened a lawsuit against the City to prevent necessary and attractive improvements (not substantial development) to Hadden Park will regret their efforts to fervently resist change just to spite Vision. What these naive residents don’t understand is that their tiny park is of no meaningful consequence to Vision, the City Council or the Parks Board. That is why the City abandoned their plan for the park when a few residents squawked. Hadden Park’s loss is another area’s gain in funding and improvements. Too bad, so sad for Hadden Park. To all cyclists, I would encourage you to use the current pedestrian pathway as much as possible from now on so that the locals realize exactly the problem that could have been solved.

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