ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 10, 1996
Dept. File No. 3153
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Development of the Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway
RECOMMENDATION
THAT development of a Neighbourhood Greenway along the eastern edge
of the Renfrew Ravine embankment between Renfrew Street and 29th
Avenue be approved and that funding of $116,850 be allocated from
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 12/31/6801/999 for
this project.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 18, 1995 Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan. This
plan supported the development of Neighbourhood Greenways to improve
local connections and promote community building.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for funding and
construction of the Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway located
between Renfrew Street and 29th Avenue along the eastern edge of Renfrew
Ravine Park.
BACKGROUND
Following the Greenways Open Houses in the spring of 1995, Council
approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan on July 18, 1995. At this time
members of a local neighbourhood organization, the Collingwood/Renfrew
Dynamic Community Steering Committee initiated a process to develop the
Renfrew Ravine Greenway. The proposed Greenway site is a segment of one
of the routes identified in the City Greenways Plan. There is no
funding in the current Capital Plan for this City Greenway, however
because of the community s ongoing care and clean up of the Ravine, it
was decided that this portion of the future City Greenways Network
between 29th Avenue and Renfrew Street be initially developed as a
Neighbourhood Greenway. For the past year, members of the local
steering committee have worked with City staff to develop a design for
this segment of the Greenway, known as the Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood
Greenway.
The majority of the proposed Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway is
sited on land owned by Park Board. This Greenway proposal has been
reviewed by Park Board staff who are in support of its development.
A number of property owners adjacent to the Greenway are currently
encroaching on public land. City staff will be approaching these
property owners in order to recover the land for Greenway development.
DISCUSSION
Development of Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway will improve and
enhance the connection between the surrounding neighbourhood and the
29th Avenue Skytrain Station. In addition, it will provide local
residents with an alternate route to Renfrew Community Centre which lies
a short distance from the northern end of the Greenway.
The proposed Greenway will follow the route of the existing dirt path
along the eastern edge of the ravine embankment. By locating the
Greenway along this embankment, pedestrians and cyclists will be
provided with an opportunity to experience the ravine environment
without disturbing the vegetation that currently buffers the creek.
The community has identified a number of problems associated with the
trail's present condition. Of major concern to local residents were
issues of safety, accessibility, illegal dumping and the need to raise
awareness about the sensitivity of the ravine s ecosystem. General
design features are described in the section below followed by an
overview of the public process, community involvement, project budget
and a schedule for development.
1) Design
The design of this Greenway addresses the problems identified by the
community while mitigating the impact of its development on the natural
environment. To prevent further encroachment on the ravine, the
Greenway will be sited along an existing trail on the eastern edge of
the ravine. In addition, pedestrians and cyclists will use the existing
paved lanes bordering the ravine along a large portion of the route.
Through wooded areas of the Greenway safety issues have determined the
design of the path which will be widened and located to improve
sightlines and accessibility. The addition of three pedestrian level
street lights is planned for the crossing at 27th Avenue. Tree
retention will also be a priority in the siting of the path. Although
the loss of one or two existing trees may be unavoidable in order to
permit the widening of the path, the addition of new vegetation on site
will more than compensate for any losses. Wherever possible, displaced
native vegetation will be relocated elsewhere on site. New vegetation
introduced along the Greenway will be selected for its ability to
provide habitat for local wildlife. Dumping, presently an uncontrolled
problem along this edge, will be discouraged by increasing pedestrian
and cyclist use of the trail and by giving the edge of Renfrew Ravine
Park a clear identity and cared for appearance. The development of a
Greenway along this corridor will create a clear transition between the
residential neighbourhood and that of the natural landscape.
The Public Art Program will facilitate the involvement of an artist
in the creation of an interpretive art piece for the Greenway. The
intention of this work will be to raise awareness about the ecological
value of the ravine.
For a more detailed description of the design, see Appendix A.
2) Public Process
As a community initiative, this Greenway proposal is an expression of
local community concerns and desires. The conceptual plan was developed
in collaboration with the Collingwood/Renfrew Dynamic Community Steering
Committee. With their approval, the conceptual design for the Renfrew
Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway was presented at a Public Open House on
June 8, 1996. At this time, the larger community was informed of the
intentions behind this initiative and their comments solicited. On June
17, 1996, a survey describing the plan was distributed to all residents
around Renfrew Ravine (between 22nd and 29th Avenues, and between Nootka
and Slocan Streets). Of the approximately 550 surveys delivered, 139
(25%) were returned. A petition was received on July 4, 1996 with the
signatures of 22 residents opposed to this project. The majority of
people (21) who signed the petition live on Atlin Street on the west
side of the ravine. Despite this petition, survey results indicated
that 91% of the respondents are in favour of the proposed Neighbourhood
Greenway. Comments received from this survey are attached in Appendix
B.
3) Community Involvement
The Neighbourhood surrounding Renfrew Ravine has taken an active
interest in the health and welfare of the ravine. Along the edge of the
ravine posters, hand painted by local school children, carry
environmental messages. In addition to the many individual initiatives
to keep the Ravine free of garbage, a number of community clean up days
have been planned and well attended demonstrating the neighbourhood s
organizational abilities. As development of the Renfrew Ravine Greenway
proceeds the community s continuing participation will be encouraged
through a number of organized initiatives such as neighbourhood planting
and clean up events.
4) Budget
The estimated cost of this project is $116,850. Funding is available
through the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No.
12/31/6801/999.
5) Schedule
Construction can begin this summer and be completed in the Fall.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Building the Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway will have positive
environmental benefits. It will increase awareness of the value of the
ravine within the context of the city and discourage people from dumping
garbage and yard waste along this site. Although development of the
Greenway may result in the loss of one or two existing trees this will
be more than compensated for through the addition of many new plantings.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Renfrew Ravine Neighbourhood Greenway will provide the local community
with opportunities for passive and active recreation along its route.
By improving safety along this Greenway pedestrian and cyclist use of
this route will increase. The Greenway will allow people to experience
nature without having to travel long distances. It will also promote
community building through specific community-oriented projects such as
neighbourhood planting events and public art collaborations.
CONCLUSION
The local community strongly supports the development of a Greenway
along Renfrew Ravine. As one of the remaining creeks in the City, this
Greenway is an opportunity to connect people to nature and to raise
awareness about the importance of this environment within its urban
context. With Council's approval construction of this project can begin
immediately.
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