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THE SAVE KITS BEACH NOW COALITION

SKBC

HOW IS THIS GREEN? WHERE IS THE PROPER VISION?

SKBC are completely in support of bike lanes, and bike users, and have no egregious issues with HUB or other cycling groups around the city. To suggest otherwise is absurd and misleading. A recent walk through the approved route with senior Park Board (PB) and City of Vancouver (CoV) staff revealed a disturbing number of issues raising additional concerns. It is important to note that while the Park Board press release of October 18 claimed the unauthorized However, SKBC do not support the ill- chalk markings in the park, do not in any conceived Vancouver Park Boards way reflect the route to be taken, this approved plan to route the Kitsilano chalk route is actually very accurate, Beach (KB) and Hadden Park bike path within feet and inches to the approved through green, family recreational areas bike path route shown to SKBC, in a walk in these sacred, highly-used iconic parks through by city staff on Tuesday, October and much utilized beach. Kits Beach is 22nd, after a town hall meeting gathered in the busiest public park in Vancouver. It is support of SKBC the prior Sunday. also regarded as one of the highest profile parks in Canada. It is apparent A press release claimed, stories of the that there are alternative paths which are Park Board moving memorial much more logical for all park users, safer benchesare completely untrue. During for all citizens, pedestrians, cyclists, the walk-through of the newly approved joggers, much greener, and less cycling route, Vancouver City Staff disruptive to those that enjoy the park confirmed to SKBC, some memorial than what has been approved by paving a benches would need to be relocated. In 3.5 meter-wide cyclist roadway through fact, it is stated in the Park Board staff the middle of these cherished, multi-use report of Oct 7, 2013 that some benches parks. may have to be removed.
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SKBC

HOW IS THIS GREEN? WHERE IS THE PROPER VISION?

When faced with this safety-issue question now presented with a playground and cycle path, side by each, City staff had no logical response than to suggest a fence be erected around the bike path how will children get to the play area? There are families and children playing in the park the entire length of the bike path. No such consideration or respect has been afforded to them. 4. Increased Legal Liability for the City: Cyclists are currently legally required to dismount in areas of high congestion (the entire length of the pedestrian walkway on the Kits Beach boardwalk). The approved route removes any requirement to dismount at all, augmenting safety concerns and increasing COV liability due to cyclist-pedestrian accidents. Operators of all moving vehicles, universally, need to keep their eyes on the path/road immediately in front of them. To now promote cyclists to turn their heads and attention from their destination, to better enjoy the seaside ocean views, while simultaneously riding their bicycle, in the middle of a busy pedestrian area, is incongruent, reckless and contrary to basic common sense and basic safety. 5. Breach of The Hadden Park Covenant: In 1929, a wealthy developer with a vision and appreciation of the stunning beauty of this property Harvey Hadden, bought the property from the CPR, and bequeathed what is now called Hadden Park, to the City of Vancouver and placed a Restrictive Covenant in the deed requiring and demanding that the CoV and PB keep the property as near as possible in its present state of natureit being the desire of the Grantor that those using the Park shall, as far as reasonably may be, enjoy the same in its natural state and condition. Both the CoV and PB agreed to these conditions, in writing, at the time the property was bequeathed. Independent legal counsel advises that the approved route is in breach of this legal Covenant on a property that Harvey Hadden wanted preserved as pristine and natural.
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SKBCs main concerns are highlighted below: 1. Removal of a Great Amount of Park Space: 1 acres of new asphalt paths is this really necessary, or can existing paths be re-purposed? The intrusive and now approved new cyclist path is 3.5 meter-wide. The actual useable green space will be further decreased by the need to situate the path further into park grass area to protect the trees and memorial benches. This creates an unusable space between the cycle path and the pedestrian walkways in addition to the 3.5 M of unusable green space, taken away by this bike path. Is that logical, well-thought out and in any way a green initiative that best supports parity and highest and best use of the parks for all park users and citizens? 2. Disrespect for Memorial Benches: Very little consideration or respect has been, nor is being paid to the donators of existing Memorial Benches in Hadden Park. During the aforementioned bike route walk-through with senior staff from both Vancouver Park & City representatives, there was little explanation, respect or concern afforded for the relocation of memorial benches to make way for this approved route. 3. New and Greater Safety Issues: While it is vital to upgrade cycling routes for improved safety for those who transport on bikes, the approved cycling route through Kits beach and Hadden parks `actually increases safety risks for many and increases the probability of collision and injury. The approved, 12 foot wide, paved route slices directly through highly active area(s) of Hadden and Kits Beach Parks.

SAVE KITS BEACH NOW COALITION TWITTER Email: SaveKitsBeach@gmail.com | Petition link: www.twitter.com/SaveKitsBeach http://goo.gl/TCU2yP

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8. Lack of Due Process: The CoV typically and traditionally requires community engagement through a number of tools such as advanced public notices, public meetings, signage and surveys. These Continued - Main concerns are highlighted below: were conducted during the recent KB Tennis court upgrades, a project with no increased impact. This 6. Cyclists apparent need for a better ocean view: bicycle path is a $2.2 million construction project that structurally alters this sacred park, yet virtually no Senior PB/CoV officials escorted us through the proper notice was provided to citizens and especially proposed bike lane route on Tuesday, October nd thousands of regular park users and stakeholders. 22 , 2013, after at widely attended town hall meeting in the park. We questioned the need for Undeniably, no proper consultation process has occurred. another seaside cycle route given the existing official Seaside Cycle Route along Ogden 9. Misleading Survey: Avenue. The response from Vancouver City staff What has become clear, is that the only opinion the was: Cyclists want a better ocean view / small intercept survey tested was a question vaguely experience. The designated cycle path already phrased as: do you support separated walking and has a spectacular view, adding another path 7.5 cycling paths where possible? This is a completely meter into the park to create a new bike path on leading as well as ambiguous question. Of course Ogden, when one already exists, is absurd and everyone would be in favour of this concept. 95% of does virtually nothing to improve the cyclists the 370 persons surveyed said yes. Again, who would view/experience, nor benefit any of the current say no? At no time were any of the respondents asked and on-going park users in any measurable way. the big question as to the true magnitude of this The same can be said for shifting the route a few undertaking by Park Board, for example, the question meters west onto Arbutus St. should have been phrased; do you approve a 12 wide, 1 acre asphalt exclusive path, through the 6. Refusal to Consider More Practical Options: The approved route is approximately twenty feet, middle of Kitsilano Beach and Hadden Parks? This bogus survey concealed the PBs true intentions. adjacent to Arbutus Street. This is within mere Effectively, none of the approximately five-thousand feet of this paved city street. An option that has not been considered would see the use of existing constituents of regular park users, that our collective organizations represent, were surveyed or consulted. pavement to create a protected, designated, Basically, no one who is impacted, many on a daily 2-way bike lane which provides very significant improvement to safety for cyclists and pedestrians basis, had any knowledge of this dramatic project. as well as a more enjoyable ride without risk/fear The PB claims this is the most extensive survey they have ever undertaken, which according to their of collision. There is precedent in other parts of claims, 370 individuals, all in the park, were surveyed the seaside route where the cycle path is routed over a three-day period. In contrast at an impromptu, away from congested pedestrian areas (English Bay, as an example.) and only returns to the park grass roots town hall meeting held Sunday October where the street is hazardous. Kitsilano residential 20th at Kits Beach, over 967 concerned citizens offered their signatures on a petition opposed to this streets do not present the same hazards for approved project. cyclists.

SKBC

HOW IS THIS GREEN? WHERE IS THE PROPER VISION?

SAVE KITS BEACH NOW COALITION TWITTER Email: SaveKitsBeach@gmail.com | Petition link: www.twitter.com/SaveKitsBeach http://goo.gl/TCU2yP

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NO GREEN. NO PROPER VISION

SKBC

Continued - Main concerns are highlighted below: 10. Unparalleled Rush for Construction: The current urgency demonstrated by PB to construct this project immediately does not make practical sense at all. The following is plan of action with respect to the route plan: Approval: October 7; Completion of 2-D design: October 31; Procurement of 3-D consultant: November 15; Completion of 3-D design: February 15; Completion of construction: May 16, 2014. The RPF has already been issued for hiring a consultant, who is expected to be hired within 3 weeks, despite PB announcing the appointment of a Special Advisory Committee to help remedy this contentious issue and provide broader acumen to remedy this situation. It is virtually unprecedented that the City acts this quickly on such a dramatic project which impacts such a diverse and broad number of citizens. 11. Refusal to re-consider: On record, PB responses to very serious citizen concerns have been, its a done deal, we have approval and were moving forward, and the process was solid and results were positive. To be clear, this decision will not be reversed. Aaron Jasper, Vice Chair of The Park Board, said, Its not going back to the drawing board. Park Board Commissioner Constance Barnes recently stated that this bike path might only be tweaked but that it is still being built, although she publically conceded that the process of consultation on this project was flawed, not thorough enough and welcomed more engagement from stakeholders.

12. Most Informed Cyclists Feel This Approved Route Makes No Sense: The Executive Director of BC Cycling Association has stated it is not necessary for the recreational cycle route to go through the park. Another cyclist offered up this statement, From someone who owns a bike store, I love bike paths, but I love mind-ful city planning more. ### __________________________________ THE SAVE KITS BEACH COALITION Representing approximately five-thousand (and growing) regular Kits Beach users and very concerned citizens. Contact Persons: Howard Kelsey Chairman, The Canada One Athletic Association SaveKitsBeach@gmail.com Adam Smith Lynne Kent Kits Point Residents Association

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