Trail Network Development

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BACKGROUND

The Trail Network Development project consists of the completion of the Miami River Greenway and development of the McCombs Drive Trail.



McCombs Drive Walking Trail

The proposed location of the new walking trail is along the east side of McCombs Drive starting at the Miami River bridge (across from the Miami River Greenway entry point) and ending at McPherson Road. The trail will be approximately 10’ wide to allow for multi-directional walking at a safe distance and will be fully accessible. It will have seating, bicycle racks at the entry points, and connect to the East Sector Park trails and the Miami River Greenway.



Miami River Greenway Completion

The Miami River Greenway will be completed between 217 Miami River Drive and 299 Miami River Drive with a 2.0m Crusher Chip Path.



BUDGET

At the October 19, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, the following resolution was passed:

THAT staff to apply the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program under the Community Economic Resilience (CER) funding stream for up to $350,000 to complete the construction of the Miami River Greenway and to construct a wide width walking trail along McCombs Drive.

This funding application was approved and the project is 100% funded by the Government of British Columbia.

The Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program provides fully-funded provincial grants to support economic resilience, tourism, heritage, and urban and rural economic development projects in communities impacted by COVID-19. The CER funding stream is focused on short-term and small-scale infrastructure projects that will be for public use and benefit.


PUBLIC CONSULTATION

This project is in line with the following sections Official Community Plan:

  • 12.2.1 Expand the range of recreational facilities and opportunities for residents, particularly youth and for visitors.
  • 13.2.1 Develop a system of parks, open space and trails that will meet the needs of residents as well as visitors.

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs completed an Age Friendly Action Plan in 2015 that included public and stakeholder consultation:

  • Service Provider Workshop
  • Drop-In Community Café
  • Walk a Mile in “My Orthopaedic Shoes”
  • Community Check-in
  • Seniors Community Workshop

The goal of these consultations was to obtain the views of community members and gain a deeper depth of participation that only residents and stakeholders can contribute.

In addition to these events, surveyed target stakeholders included:

  • General public
  • Fraser Health Authority
  • Agassiz Harrison Healthy Communities Committee
  • Agassiz Harrison Community Services
  • Community Resource Nurse
  • Fraser Valley Regional Library
  • Seniors Centre and Pensioner Association
  • Seniors Peer Support Counsellor
  • Community Health Specialist
  • Seniors Transitional Services Coordinator
  • Various other groups/individuals identified through the consultation process.

In 2018 the Village of Harrison Hot Springs hosted a public open house for community consultation on the Active Transportation Plan.

BACKGROUND

The Trail Network Development project consists of the completion of the Miami River Greenway and development of the McCombs Drive Trail.



McCombs Drive Walking Trail

The proposed location of the new walking trail is along the east side of McCombs Drive starting at the Miami River bridge (across from the Miami River Greenway entry point) and ending at McPherson Road. The trail will be approximately 10’ wide to allow for multi-directional walking at a safe distance and will be fully accessible. It will have seating, bicycle racks at the entry points, and connect to the East Sector Park trails and the Miami River Greenway.



Miami River Greenway Completion

The Miami River Greenway will be completed between 217 Miami River Drive and 299 Miami River Drive with a 2.0m Crusher Chip Path.



BUDGET

At the October 19, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, the following resolution was passed:

THAT staff to apply the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program under the Community Economic Resilience (CER) funding stream for up to $350,000 to complete the construction of the Miami River Greenway and to construct a wide width walking trail along McCombs Drive.

This funding application was approved and the project is 100% funded by the Government of British Columbia.

The Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program provides fully-funded provincial grants to support economic resilience, tourism, heritage, and urban and rural economic development projects in communities impacted by COVID-19. The CER funding stream is focused on short-term and small-scale infrastructure projects that will be for public use and benefit.


PUBLIC CONSULTATION

This project is in line with the following sections Official Community Plan:

  • 12.2.1 Expand the range of recreational facilities and opportunities for residents, particularly youth and for visitors.
  • 13.2.1 Develop a system of parks, open space and trails that will meet the needs of residents as well as visitors.

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs completed an Age Friendly Action Plan in 2015 that included public and stakeholder consultation:

  • Service Provider Workshop
  • Drop-In Community Café
  • Walk a Mile in “My Orthopaedic Shoes”
  • Community Check-in
  • Seniors Community Workshop

The goal of these consultations was to obtain the views of community members and gain a deeper depth of participation that only residents and stakeholders can contribute.

In addition to these events, surveyed target stakeholders included:

  • General public
  • Fraser Health Authority
  • Agassiz Harrison Healthy Communities Committee
  • Agassiz Harrison Community Services
  • Community Resource Nurse
  • Fraser Valley Regional Library
  • Seniors Centre and Pensioner Association
  • Seniors Peer Support Counsellor
  • Community Health Specialist
  • Seniors Transitional Services Coordinator
  • Various other groups/individuals identified through the consultation process.

In 2018 the Village of Harrison Hot Springs hosted a public open house for community consultation on the Active Transportation Plan.

Questions?

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    From the pictures, it looks like a sidewalk right up against the traffic lane. Will there be anything between the roadway and walkway to keep pedestrians safe from vehicles veering over?

    Purpose asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.  The pictures shown here were early renderings of the design concept.  It is common to see sidewalks and pathways adjacent a transportation corridor constructed without a barrier. To increase pedestrian safety, this pathway will have a minimum of 1 meter of separation between the path and road. Individuals using the Village’s transportation corridors and Active Transportation Network are encouraged to use the networks safely and within provincial guidelines.  

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    On the Miami River Greenway project, it is understood for public safety it is necessary to block access when workers are actively working on a section. However, why is it necessary to block the use of the entire trail when only one section is under construction? Could not the signage and usage controls be more targeted?

    KDG asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.  During the initial phase of the project the trails were closed for assessment by the contractor.  As the development moves along, only the sections that are being worked on will be closed off.  

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    This is a bit late to the party, but there is reference to a Parking Study among the answers to previous questions. Right now, the space between the pavement and the trees is used daily for a variety of parking situations. They may be commercial vehicles that need a space to park while servicing the homes nearby, they may be cars of guests visiting residents of the area, but for whom there is little parking available, and they may be Harrison vehicles using the space while they undertake various activities. From what I see, there will be NO space any more to park on the east side of McCombs, and parking on the west side will cut off a lane. What has the Parking study determined what will happen here?

    justsayin' asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your comments. A parking study is underway and there will be opportunities to participate by sharing your thoughts and ideas on this important issue. Please continue to follow getintoitharrison.ca for updates.

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    We have received the following questions: Will cyclists be prohibited from using this trail? Will there be access to utilities? How will the trail be separated from the roadway? The contract was awarded at a value of $309,000 but the grant was for $350,000. What will happen to the remaining $41,000?

    almost 3 years ago
    • The McCombs Drive Trail will be approximately 10’ wide to allow for multi-directional walking at a safe distance and will be fully accessible. It will have seating and bicycle racks at the entry points.  Cyclists can continue to ride on McCombs Drive.

    • The project is still in the design phase.  But, please be assured that we have taken into account access requirements to the Sewer Lift Station located on McCombs Drive,  the cell tower and any other utility or infrastructure in the area.  

    • A Parking Study is underway in the Village which will provide recommendations for parking on McCombs Drive and in other areas.  There will be a drainage swale next to the trail that will delineate it from the roadway.

    • The Village will be reimbursed for costs associated with this project up to $350,000 to include construction and engineering costs.

     

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    Heard rumour the Mc Combs pathway is not going to be paved instead its going to be gravel due to budgeting? paving later, kinda defeats the objectivity of the pathway for all to use

    Ron asked almost 3 years ago

    At the Request for Proposals phase, proponents were asked to provide a cost to construct the trail with the cost to surface it with asphalt paving identified as a separate cost item.  The cost to pave the trail surface exceeded the project budget so it was not considered. The trail will still be approximately 3 meters wide to allow for multi-directional walking at a safe distance and will be fully accessible. Thank you for your question. 

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    Are any changes to the plan allowed, or is this locked in as a done deal? It's quite obvious that many of the residents of McCombs do not want to see the green space across the street from their homes transformed from a quiet, grassy strip lined with natural forest, to an asphalt lane. In order to enable this 10' wide strip, many trees and brush will need to be removed as well...the look and tranquil environment will be quite transformed. The project will also draw a lot more bike and walking traffic to the McCombs area when in the past, McCombs residents were able to avoid the weekend crowds on the Village Esplanade by staying close to home. I don't believe that when residents asked for more trails, that this is what they expected.

    Tecjlar asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question.  This project is still in the early stages of development.  While the over-all concept will not change, there may be some modifications to the preliminary renderings based on several factors as we go through the environmental consultation and final design phase.  Please follow this project for updates.

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    I am writing concerning the proposed McCombs Drive Walking Trail. We live on McCombs and recognize the problem with people walking on the road and obstructing traffic. There is currently a sidewalk on the west side of the road from 624 McCombs to 730 McCombs. Instead of paving green space on the east side of McCombs, why not just extend the already existing sidewalk on the west side of McCombs? I feel this would be a more efficient and greener alternative than paving more green space in Harrison . Thanks

    Tecjlar asked about 3 years ago

    Hi, thank you for your question.  As part of the Official Community Plan, residents of Harrison Hot Springs expressed the desire for more trails. The McCombs Drive walking trail will be approximately 10’ wide, allow for multi-directional walking at a safe distance, fully accessible and connect to both the East Sector and Miami River Greenway. This project is 100% funded by the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program which is focused on short-term and small scale infrastructure projects that revitalize outdoor recreation.  Sidewalks are not eligible for this funding and creating a sidewalk the length of McCombs Drive would be a significant cost to residents, resulting in a tax increase.  

Page last updated: 26 Feb 2021, 01:17 PM