Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

General Managers of Engineering Services and Community Services

SUBJECT:

Wellness Walkways - Status and Next Phase for Implementation

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

There are many Council-approved policies to promote safe, accessible movement through the city and to increase the livability of Vancouver's neighbourhoods.

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

In 1999, the Wellness Walkways project in Mount Pleasant was awarded $50,000 from the Province's Local Governments Grants - Other Infrastructure Implementation Projects to further its implementation. A range of project ideas were identified through the communityconsultation or recommended by other groups and individuals consulted on accessibility issues. The specific projects recommended for funding in this report are intended to maximize the benefit of the grant funds throughout the study area and to serve as a catalyst for other interventions, donations, sponsorships or other forms of participation from the community, local businesses, the health care facilities and other funding agencies.

The purpose of this report is to advise Council of progress made to date on the Wellness Walkways project and seek Council approval for the proposed allocations for $50,000 Provincial funding.

BACKGROUND

What is the Wellness Walkways Project?

The Wellness Walkways project explores ideas for increasing and enhancing accessibility in the public realm for people with physical challenges. Creating Wellness Walkways in this area of Mount Pleasant (see map) grew from a streetscape beautification proposal made by the Edith Cavell Hospital as part of their site rezoning in 1995. Council supported the concept and directed staff to consult with the neighbourhood on design ideas. Local Improvements initiated for Watson Street and portions of Sophia Street provided further opportunities to begin to implement the Wellness Walkways concept.
Through discussions with community stakeholders, including Mount Saint Joseph's Hospital and Venture House, a broader concept evolved for streetscape improvements more conducive to therapeutic uses that could contribute to a more accessible and livable community. A list of objectives is included as Appendix A.

Progress So Far

On February 17, 1998, Council approved $8,000 for a consultancy to identify elements of the Wellness Walkways and $3,000 to fund enhancements to the sidewalk replacement on Sophia Street between 13th and 16th Avenues, in anticipation of the implementation of the Wellness Walkways.

The consulting contract was awarded to Patrick Mooney and Don Luymes, Associate Professors of Landscape Architecture at UBC. Building on ideas from the community consultation process, their study identified design solutions which can be applied to the public realm to accommodate and encourage use by the full range of people living, working, shopping, visiting or receiving treatment in the neighbourhood.

The consultants submitted their report last year. Public input was sought and the report vetted through the CNIB, the BC Paraplegic Association and the BC Coalition of Persons with Disabilities. Their design ideas have been refined by staff in response to commentary received and through internal review of the Wellness Walkways implementation to date. While their study does not necessarily reflect current City policies, practices and procedures, it is an important resource for the City in the ongoing development of the Wellness Walkways. A copy of their report is on file in the Engineering and Planning Departments.

Sidewalk Improvements to the 3000- and 3100-Blocks of Sophia Street

Council approved $3,000 to top-up the cost of standard sidewalk replacement along Sophia Street to increase accessibility, comfort and safety. A 1.8 m sidewalk, wide enough for two wheelchairs to travel abreast, was installed in 1998 along the west side of Sophia Street between 14th and 16th Avenues. It featured sawcut rather than trowelled control joints and improved curb ramps to provide safer and smoother ride for wheelchair users. The sidewalk was located closer to the property line to allow for grass boulevards to be planted with a variety of shade trees. A street tree plan for Sophia Street was developed with Park Board staff following a public meeting with residents to discuss street trees and bench locations.
Local Improvement of the 2900-Block Sophia Street

A Local Improvement of Sophia Street between 13th and 14th Avenues was built in 1999. The roadway was reconstructed with a wide curve as a traffic calming measure. The west sidewalk was also reconstructed at 1.8 m and with sawcut control joints but with the following additional Wellness Walkways features to better accommodate persons with physical challenges related to sight or mobility:

· the concrete was tinted "Sandstone" to reduce glare;
· the sidewalk was constructed across both east and west lanes and one driveway at a minimal cross slope;
· curb ramps were constructed to align directly with the curb ramps and sidewalks opposite;
· curb ramps were marked with directional grooves as recommended by the CNIB;
· corner bulges were installed on all corners to shorten crossing distances;
· a bench pad was built on the north-west corner of Sophia Street and 14th Avenue (the bench will be installed this Spring) as part a grid of accessible benches proposed for the neighbourhood;
· a variety of street trees, chosen for their range of form, flowers and fragrances, were planted in the boulevards and bulges; and,
· fragrant flowering plants and shrubs, chosen to enhance sensory stimulation for those whose mobility is the most limited, will be planted in the corner bulges and around the seating area this Spring.

Further Initiatives

In addition, the following progress has been made on implementing the Wellness Walkways:

· the redevelopment of the new Edith Cavell seniors complex on the west side of Sophia Street between 12th and 13th Avenues will incorporate a full range of Wellness Walkways features;
· the Park Board has acquired four properties along 16th Avenue to increase the size of Tea Swamp Park, an opportunity to incorporate accessible features requested by park users in the neighbourhood;
· Watson Street has been improved by consolidating overhead wires on the commercial west side to enhance future redevelopment or Local Improvements on the more residential east side, which will include a sidewalk and street trees in a grass boulevard;
· the study area has been expanded to include Robson Park, an important neighbourhood recreational resource that could benefit from increased accessibility, especially from south of Kingsway (Mount Saint Joseph's Hospital staff do not take patients to the park due to their difficulty in crossing Kingsway and the lack of facilities accessible to them);
· the traffic circle at Sophia Street and 15th Avenue was planted by a Sir Charles Tupper School Life Skills class and has been adopted by area residents;
· residents of the 2900-block townhouses hired an artist to help create pebble mosaics, for stepping across the boulevard, which will add visual interest to the street and generate community pride; and,
· staff are seeking partnerships and other types of community participation for further Wellness Walkways improvements.

Provincial Government Funding

At Mount Pleasant Days on June 5, 1999, the Minister of Municipal Affairs announced a $50,000 grant (Local Governments Grants - Other Infrastructure Implementation Projects) for this innovative project. This program funds construction that is 100% accessible to all citizens, especially seniors and people with disabilities. The Province views this as a partnership to demonstrate how communities can be made more accessible and improve quality of life.

This grant is based on the City matching the grant funds. In this case, the City's share of the Sophia Street Local Improvement surpassed the required minimum expenditure. Further funding from this program is possible for at least the next two years. Construction of the current project funding must be completed and monies claimed by March 31, 2001.

In addition to the Infrastructure grant, the project also received a $5,000 BC Neighbourhood Enhancement Program grant. This grant is intended to facilitate an innovative partnership strategy to see this project through to implementation, and to use it as a model in promoting greater accessibility elsewhere.

Proposed Allocations of Provincial Grant Funds

The $50,000 grant was awarded to the City based on the extensive community consultation in the Wellness Walkways area of Mount Pleasant and the innovative work undertaken by the consultants on behalf of the City. The proposed allocations are summarized in the table below and described in Attachment B. These items were identified through community consultation or recommended by others consulted on accessibility issues. Staff's intent is to maximize the benefit of the grant funds throughout the study area and serve as a catalyst for other interventions, donations, sponsorships or other forms of participation from community interests.

$8,000

Sophia Street Local Improvement Upgrades (with Wellness Walkways features)

$12,500

Seating Areas or Benches (as part of an area-wide grid of benches)

$1,700

Sidewalk Repair and Bench Reorientation (to improve accessibility and usability)

$6,000

Accessible Drinking Fountain in Tea Swamp Park

$4,500

Improved Signal Actuation at Main Street and 14th Avenue

$2,000

Improved Access between Mount Saint Joseph's Hospital and Kingsway, in co-operation with Providence Health Care

$5,000

Upgrades Associated with Curb Ramp Installation

$10,300

Overhead and Contingency

$50,000

Total

Other Wellness Walkways features will be funded from other City programs, such as the infill street tree and curb ramp programs. Such funds, whether from City programs, park development, donations, or private developments, can be credited as the City's portion of matching funds for future grants under this Provincial program.

Next Steps

Initial contacts have been made with a variety of organizations, including the Coast Foundation and the Mount Pleasant Community Foundation, and a number of businesses in the study area, to discuss possible partnerships. Once more Wellness Walkways features are in place, further public consultation will be held to review progress to date and to set priorities for future endeavours. The BC Neighbourhood Enhancement Program grant will be very useful at that stage to broaden participation in implementation.

The City has applied for $100,000 in additional matching funding for the next phase of the Wellness Walkways from the Province's Local Governments Grants - Other Infrastructure Implementation Projects program for 2000. If funds are awarded to this project, staff will report back on their allocation and advise Council on further planning and implementation of the Mount Pleasant Wellness Walkways.

The City can apply for additional Provincial funding in 2001 for a third phase of Wellness Walkways implementation. With participation from the community, local businesses, the health care facilities and other funding agencies, and redevelopment of Tea Swamp Park, future developments in the area, and possible Local Improvements, the project should be substantially complete by 2002.

CONCLUSION

The further implementation of the Wellness Walkways will contribute to a more accessible and livable community by accommodating and encouraging use by the full range of people in this neighbourhood. The projects recommended for funding in this report should serve as a catalyst for other interventions, donations, sponsorships or other forms of participation from the community, local businesses, health care facilities and other funding agencies.

* * * * *

pe000330.htm

Appendix A
Page 1

Mount Pleasant Wellness Walkways:
Project Objectives

The following objectives for the Wellness Walkways project resulted from the public consultation process. They were used to guide the consultants' design study for the Wellness Walkways and continue to direct public realm development in the study area.

The Mount Pleasant Wellness Walkways project objectives are to:

· create a variety of circuits within the neighbourhood;
· eliminate physical barriers;
· provide for physical and psychological comfort;
· provide for appropriate levels of way-finding;
· stimulate the senses of sight, touch, smell and sound;
· incorporate elements of interpretation;
· provide opportunities for social interaction;
· maintain or improve safety;
· increase access to natural elements; and
· beautify the neighbourhood.
Mount Pleasant Wellness Walkways:
Proposed Interventions for 1999 Provincial Grant Funds

The following projects are recommended to be funded from the $50,000 Local Governments Grant - Other Infrastructure Implementation Projects awarded to the City by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for the Wellness Walkways project. The figures represent general allocations and do not include overhead and contingency, which bring the total amount to $50,000.

Sophia Street Local Improvement - $8,000

Staff worked closely with residents along Sophia Street between 13th and 14th Avenues on a Local Improvement, which included reconstruction of the roadway with a wide curve as a traffic calming measure, to incorporate Wellness Walkways features. These include:

· tinting the concrete "Sandstone" to reduce glare;
· constructing the sidewalk across lanes and driveways at a minimal cross slope;
· constructing curb ramps to align directly with the curb ramps and sidewalks opposite;
· marking curb ramps with directional grooves as recommended by the CNIB;
· installing corner bulges at corners to shorten crossing distances;
· building a bench pad on the north-west corner of Sophia Street and 14th Avenue (the bench will be installed this Spring) as part a grid of accessible benches proposed for the neighbourhood;
· planting a variety of street trees, chosen for their range of form, flowers and fragrances, in the boulevards and bulges; and,
·
planting fragrant, flowering plants and shrubs, chosen to increase sensory stimulation for the pleasure of those whose mobility is the most limited, in the corner bulges and around the seating area in the Spring.

These features, which serve to beautify the neighbourhood and increase safety for all pedestrians, are beyond the costs associated with the Local Improvement and therefore $8,000 from the Provincial grant is required.

Seating Areas - $12,500

An important strategy in the Wellness Walkways is to create a grid of benches throughout the neighbourhood. Benches, some with enhanced landscaping, are proposed at corners and mid-block locations for older and infirm walkers as well as other residents to sit and chat with their neighbours. Benches at regular intervals will encourage extended outings, exerciseand increased opportunities for social contacts. Two benches were installed on 15th Avenue as part of the Mount Pleasant pedestrian/linear park system and there are benches not oriented to the street in Tea Swamp Park. Seven new sites have been identified for similar benches, adapted to make them more accessible, and permission has been obtained from adjacent property owners for their installation. Some of these sites will include public amenities expanded onto private property. Site specific designs are being prepared for final approval of adjacent and participating owners and the new benches and landscaping will be installed in the Spring. The combination of the existing and new benches will make a significant contribution to the objective of a neighbourhood-wide grid of benches.


Sidewalk Repair and Bench Reorientation - $1,700

The sidewalk and an existing bench at the south-east corner of Prince Edward Street and 15th Avenue, installed as part of the Mount Pleasant pedestrian/linear park system, have settled and need to be repaired. $1,700 has been allocated to lift the sidewalk panels and reorient the bench to increase its accessibility.

Accessible Drinking Fountain - $6,000

Tea Swamp Park is a small but much-used neighbourhood park in the study area. An accessible drinking fountain, with an additional dish for dogs to have a drink too, is proposed to be installed at a cost of $6,000 at the park's north-east corner entrance. The Park Board acquired four properties along 16th Avenue to expand Tea Swamp Park to the south. Plans to increase the accessibility of the expanded park will be further developed through a public consultation process to be undertaken by the Park Board in 2000.

Improved Signal Actuation - $4,500

A goal of the Wellness Walkways is to improve access at crossings of arterials in the study area. The signal actuation at the intersection of Main Street and 14th Avenue was chosen for first priority in response to the needs of a visually impaired area resident who finds this crossing a frequent challenge. An innovative audible/tactile actuation unit, also to be installed at Broadway and Glen Drive, is to be installed at a cost of $4,500.

Improved Access between Mount Saint Joseph's Hospital and Kingsway - $2,000

There is no dedicated pedestrian access, i.e. sidewalk or path, to the entrance of Mount Saint Joseph's Hospital from Kingsway. $2,000 has been allocated to improve pedestrian and wheelchair access between Kingsway and the hospital entrance, creating a safer and more direct route to bus stops and the traffic signal at Kingsway and St. George Street.

Upgrades Associated with Curb Ramp Installation - $5,000

There are intersections in the study area without curb ramps or with substandard curb ramps. These can be installed in 2000 through the curb ramp infill program. However, $5,000 has been allocated in anticipation of upgrades to the concrete (e.g. tinting) and landscaping and additional curb work that may be required. These funds would also be used to experiment with painting curbs ramps and installation of texture tiles at curb ramps to aid the visually impaired.

* * * * *

pe000330.htm

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver