Haro Woods plan at Saanich Council Monday May 28, 7pm

[Lister Farrar]

Saanich Parks is presenting a plan to Saanich council for trails in Haro Woods park including some bike access. As many of us as can attend, should.

There are neighbours worried that bike access means damage, so a few of us are advocating for more robustly built multipurpose, but natural looking trails, like the Nature Trails Society builds. I have offered to take stakeholders to look at example trails so they know we're actually all looking for the same thing, but there is an outspoken element that objects to any kind of bike access. It will be very important for those interested in some sustainable access to come show their support. Especially if you're a Saanich resident.

From the open house info, it looks like they are trying to accommodate the dirt jumpers by providing an area and material for building in a more disturbed area of the park to allow restoration of the area near the creek. But I think good multipurpose trails (better base, narrow, winding, sight lines to avoid surprising other users (think a milder version of Electric Avenue in the highlands)), will be important part of a social contract to limit unauthorized building and allow the park to recover and remain an oasis amongst the asphalt.

Who's in?

[Lister Farrar]

Location:

Council Chambers in the Municipal Hall at 770 Vernon Ave. Next to the Lochside trail, but also parking available.

[Lister Farrar]

And complete the survey:

http://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/parks-rec ... woods.html

[Lister Farrar]

The council decision has been postponed until after the municipal election. https://www.vicnews.com/news/battle-ove ... continues/

There's also a renewed push to exclude cycling of all kinds from the park. https://www.vicnews.com/news/petition-p ... on-notice/

The District of saanich parks was proposing a shared arrangement of the park, with a seperated purpose-built jump area with imported dirt for kids to build jumps on, in an area of old construction waste. But the Friends of Haro Woods is objecting to any cycling.

Part of the problem is kids building dirt jumps where ever they fancy, and it results in damage to tree roots, and erosion. And speeds not really consistent with walkers, dogs and kids, as there's no separation of the jump lines and the trails. Saanich's process was proposing that.

The nub, I think, is most non-cyclists think any cyclists in the park will just build what they want. But we know well-built trails don't get dug up.

I think the solution for all users is better designed and built multi-use trails like the Nature Trail Society builds: curving to help users see each other coming, rock base for wear and drainage, mineral soil surface for a nature experience, vegetation restored up to the tread. The curving and rock means you get a more aesthetic natural experience vs the straight lines often created by trails started as short cuts through parks. It also slows down runners and cyclists, but also makes it more interesting to them. But most importantly to any park user concerned about digging and root damage, is properly built trails don't get dug up by DIYrs. SVINTS and SIMBS have never had a well designed and built trail dug up. They've also never had a complaint from walkers about cyclists on the multi-use trails they've built to this new standard.

I've offered to take the Friends of Haro Woods to see these trails and how they're built and used. Will see what they say.

But as with most issues, the naysayers will get the attention unless others with a more generous and inclusive message get active. Anyone want to get involved? Cyclocross fans, this would be a big loss to your rides, despite you being very low impact.