Category: Environment

Tweed on Two Wheels Anyone?

By , March 10, 2011 12:03 pm

Love your tweed? Love your bicycle? On Saturday, May 7th, 2011 you can join a stylish ride from the Inner Harbour to Oak Bay, in The Tweed Ride Victoria.

The Tweed Run London started the trend in the Fall of 2009, and have been cropping up all over the world. It’s a slower paced ride with style, with a stop for a spot of tea mid-way, judging of the most stylish of the group, and ending at the The Penny Farthing Pub in Oak Bay (where else?!). The added bonus? 100% of your Registration Fee ($5.00) for Tweed Ride Victoria will go to purchasing a stretcher/ ambulance-bike for rural clinics in Malawi.

For more information, or to register, please visit The Tweed Ride Victoria.
Tweed Ride London Apr 10  (279)

To get yourself in the spirit, have a watch of this video:

Tweed Ride 2010 from Steven Greenstreet on Vimeo.

Friends of Uplands Park Events

By , February 26, 2011 5:55 pm

Contributed by Margaret Lidkea and Kathleen Matthews, Co-Founders of Friends of Uplands Park

Also upcoming:

CARPET BURWEED PATROL on Sunday March 27 at 1:30 at Cattle Point

Please RSVP to Margaret Lidkea 250-595-8084 mlidkea@shaw.ca or Kathleen Matthews 250-598-7995 kathleenmatt@gmail.com Newcomers welcome.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Planning Meeting on Thursday March 24th, 7 to 9 at 1894 St. Ann Street. Friends of Uplands Park is partnering with the Community Association of Oak Bay for an Earth Day Celebration which will be held on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 from 12 to 3:30PM. We need volunteers to help with some of the activities.

Bowker Creek Blueprint

By , February 26, 2011 5:26 pm

Written with contributions from Natalie Bandringa, Bowker Creek Initiative Coordinator

The Bowker Creek Initiative along with the respective municipalities that the Bowker Creek runs through, have been working for several years on developing The Bowker Creek Blueprint, A 100-year Action Plan to restore the Bowker Creek watershed.

You can have a look at the the final version of the 100-year Action Plan here.

The Bowker Creek Blueprint is an opportunistic plan that suggests ways the creek can be better managed to reduce flooding and create a community amenity of a natural creek, greenways for walking/biking, etc.

Bowker Creek Initiative will be making a short presentation about the Blueprint and seeking endorsement from the Municipality Oak Bay Council on February 28th.

Under the Blueprint the current major projects that BCI is focusing on in Oak Bay are:

  • Monteith St: Creation of a native plant demonstration garden adjacent to the Monteith Community Gardens. We have planted over $2000 worth of native plants in Spring and Fall 2010, and are currently finishing up sheet mulching for natural control of weeds on the site. More planting will take place this Spring and Fall. There have been a lot of volunteer efforts on this project. Oak Bay Parks Department are also currently working on creating additional community garden plots on the site. In the past at this site the BCI has also worked on bank stabilization with a technique using natural materials called willow wattle fencing.
  • Oak Bay High site & Bowker Creek: BCI have been working with CEI (architecture firm for the project), the Oak Bay Municipality, High School, the rest of the design team and the community to look at taking the creek out of the concrete channel and creating a more natural creek in this reach of the creek. BCI have hired KWL (consulting engineers) to propose a draft restoration plan and hoping to bring that to the design team soon. The design focuses on stormwater management, creek naturalization and the creation of creekside educational platforms for students. BCI is also looking for funding for the creek restoration work.
  • Bowker Creek film project: Several years ago BCI started a project to document elder members of the community speaking about their recollections of the Bowker Creek when it was in a more natural state. We plan to create several short (max 5 min.) document like films talking about the Bowker Creek from pre-contact into the future. We see the films being an educational tool for the local community and students.
  • Report Card from the Active Transportation Forum

    By , January 3, 2011 10:58 pm

    The Community Association of Oak Bay hosted an Active Transportation Forum on November 25th, 2010. At that time, a report card was written on our current status with regard to active transportation options in Oak Bay, and we think you might be interested in our community’s progress, as compared to those around us.

    Report Card 2010

    CURRENT STATUS:

    Does our community have walkable and multi-use pathways?

    North-south routes in Oak Bay are few, with limited crosswalks, and no official community plans for improvement;

  • Foul Bay Avenue, from Fort Street to Lansdowne: 1, 600 metres – 3 crosswalks – 530 metres between crosswalks
    North Henderson – 1,100 metres – 3 crosswalks – 360 metres between crosswalks.
  • Arterial road sidewalks, e.g. north Henderson, Oak Bay Avenue, and Foul Bay Road (Oak Bay Ave to Fort Street) are narrow and do not meet Transportation Association of Canada standards for minimum width
  • Better connections needed to proposed Neighborhood Learning Centre, the Recreation Centre, all weather field, and proposed Performing Arts Theatre
  • Oak Bay has committed $1.0 million to Theatre funding
  • Photos showing experience of walking from Oak Bay Ave. to proposed Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Performing Arts Theatre, etc: 2009 – walking through the canyon, 2010 – walking through snow and ice

  • Municipality of Oak Bay actions November 2009 to 2010:

  • Various pedestrian/cycling improvement motions were discussed at Council and none approved
  • A Request for Proposal for active transportation master plan for the municipality is a work in progress of the Community Initiatives Committee
  • A bike shelter was constructed outside the Greater Victoria Public Library branch and Monterey Centre
  • Estevan merchants petitioned the municipality to add more bike racks in Estevan village. One bike rack was installed.

  • Budgets and expenditures, Oak Bay municipality:

    OBTAINING EXTERNAL FUNDING:

    Oak Bay municipality made two grant application proposals to the Province of BC and the Government of Canada for transportation infrastructure in last 5 years:

  • Received $54,781 from Local Motion BC for bike lanes on north Henderson Rd and north-east corner of Foul Bay Rd and Lansdowne.
  • Received $321,000 from Build Canada Fund for repaving 700 metres of Beach Drive, between King George Terrace and Newport Rd.
  • Source: Municipal Clerk and Province of BC Local Motion Website

    OTHER MUNICIPALITIES:

    Effective Steps by Other Municipalities:

    1. Do the Planning
    2. Adopt the Policies
    3. Submit the Proposals
    4. Receive the Funding
    5. Build the Connections to local and regional networks

    2010 AND BEYOND
    INITIATIVES OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

    A summary of the activities, initiatives and results of other municipalities in Greater Victoria are highlighted below:

    Central Saanich – 2010:
    Population 16,000
    $575,000 Local Motion Grant
    Bicycle lanes on both sides of East Saanich Road and separate walking path near Peninsula Recreation Centre
    Largest roadway improvement in recent years
    Completed September, 2010
    Population 16,000
    East Saanich Road – 2.7 km from Island View Road to Cultia Ave
    Total Cost is $7.0 million
    Build Canada Fund pays $4.66 million
    2.7 kilometre roadway will provide separate bike lanes, and separate walking trail
    Includes sidewalks and bus stops
    Completion scheduled for March 2012

    View Royal – 2010:
    Population: 9000
    CRD Travel Choices 2007 – 2011
    Island Highway – Admirals to Colwood Interchange – $15.0 million
    E&N Rail Trail Project – 11.0 Million
    2 photos showing major benefits for all roadway users
    View Royal Official Community Plan
    Adopted revised OCP on April 1st, 2010
    Roads designated a “community resource” for benefit of all users
    Neighborhood-wide planning – not each problem in isolation
    Pedestrian access and movement to be enhanced
    Quantifiable, measurable goals set
    10 Year Cycling Action Plan endorsed
    Links with neighboring municipalities and
    Part of regional network
    Bicycle parking, showers, lockers, change rooms.

    Saanich – 2010
    Population: 109,000
    Multiple Use Trail / Roadway
    Completed 2010
    San Juan Greenway
    East to West Connector Route
    UVIC to Tyndall Soccer Fields
    Shelbourne Street to Lochside Trail
    Safe and convenient for pedestrians, students, teams and cyclists
    Local Motion Billboard – Total Cost $1.1 million

    Langford – 2010
    Official Opening of Goldstream Village
    Pedestrian and Cycling Friendly
    Using Traffic Circle as Key Feature
    Reduces overall accidents and reduces pollution
    Improves safety for cyclists and pedestrians
    Langford received ICBC Grant for $78,000 to pay for new Traffic Circle with Fountain
    (Source: Claire Eraut – Oak Bay Resident, Former Deputy Superintendent of Motor Vehicles 1994 – 1998)
    No curbs which allows more movement and improved pedestrian safety, Light up crosswalk included in project

    Victoria – One Block Away from Oak Bay
    Small traffic circles used to reduce speed and avoid accidents
    Allenby and Dean intersection
    Bike route to Camosun College
    Park with children’s play area
    Bay Street cross-town route upgrades to Royal Jubilee Hospital

    CRD Finishes 5 Year Investment Plan in 2011

    Rails to Trails Project: $11.0 million
    CRD Ped Cycling Master Plan: $150,000
    Esquimalt Craigflower Rd: $8.0 million
    View Royal & Island Hwy: $15.0 million

    PROVINCIAL FUNDING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:

    Bike BC Cycling Infrastructures Partnerships Program (CIPP)

    This cost-shared program to funds new cycling paths and multiple use trails, with a goal to reducing traffic congestion and green house gas emissions. The program has $31 million over three years. Deadline for applications: Sept. 1st, 2010 for this year.

    CIPP Funding – North Vancouver

  • Spirit Trail between Lions Gate Bridge and Sea bus Terminal
  • Separated bike path $1.25 million for 1.4 km
  • Kings Mill Park, $750,000 for 1 km. trail.
  • CIPP Funding – City of Kelowna:

  • $475,000 to improve corridors in Glenmore and South Kelowna
  • Multi-use pathway to UBC Okanagan campus, $2.0 million for 1.8 km
  • Active Transportation Forum: Connecting Regionally, Connecting Locally

    By , November 16, 2010 9:59 pm

    Challenges for pedestrians on Foul Bay Road

    On Thursday, November 25, the Community Association of Oak Bay
    will host Oak Bay’ s second annual Active Transportation Forum. The three-hour forum,
    titled “ Connecting regionally, connecting locally” , will be open to the public. Councillor Pam
    Copley will provide opening and closing remarks.

    The Forum will explore two projects with special interest for Oak Bay citizens.
    Redeveloping Oak Bay High School with a budget of $54 million provides great
    opportunities for civic space, public walkways, and cycle paths. With a presentation from
    Mr. Rod Windjack of CEI Architecture, the forum looks at upgrading local corridors such as
    Elgin Street, Hampshire Street, and Bowker Creek walkways. Such improvements will allow
    citizens of all ages to connect safely to the new Neighbourhood Learning Centre, the new
    Performing Arts Theatre, and to the Oak Bay Recreation Centre.

    By the end of December, 2010, the Capital Regional District will release its draft Pedestrian
    and Cycling Regional Master Plan which covers all 13 municipalities. After approval by
    the CRD Board, this master plan launches five years (2011 – 2016) of multi-million dollar
    investments in active transportation. With presentations from CRD representatives, and
    citizen advisors, the Forum looks at the Oak Bay streets identified as regional priorities, and
    will hear citizen’s comments on pedestrian and cycling routes, sidewalks and roadways.

    The forum will examine how the municipalities of Langford, View Royal and Central Saanich
    changed their transportation policies, spending, priorities, and creatively built new sidewalks,
    bike lanes and improved roadways.

    This public event will be held on Thursday, November 25, 2010, starting at 6:30 pm for
    an open house, with a discussion panel 7-9 pm, and focus groups on specific topics at 9
    pm, at the Windsor Park Pavilion, Sports Rooms 1 and 2.

    Please RSVP to Michelle Hilts mhilts@shaw.ca to reserve a seat. (Space is limited)

    Sustainable U: Transportation Tune Up

    By , November 8, 2010 9:31 pm

    Sustainable U has just launched a new fall program called the Transportation Tune Up that we thought you would be interested in.

    The CRD is recruiting 700 citizens who are passionate about transportation issues to help us spread the word on smart travel. Attend one of the free 2 hour workshops that are being held across the region and get equipped with the tools, knowledge and incentives to pass along information to colleagues, family, roommates and friends.

    The workshop covers walking, riding, driving and taking transit. Ultimately the Tune Up is about encouraging citizens to re-think about their habits on the road to create a safer, greener and healthier region.


    Don’t have time to come to a workshop? No problem. Pledge to take action and be entered to win fabulous prizes like bike gear, running shoes, car share credits and more!

    Want us to come to you? If you have a meeting, event or session with at least 10 people and you can spare us 30 minutes to talk about smart travel, we can come to you with a mini-version of our workshop. We provide you with the treats, tools and incentives to spread the word. Contact Nikki Elliot at nelliott@crd.bc.ca to schedule a visit.

    Tune up your travel and take action on climate change.

    Proudly supported by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, Capital Bike and Walk and Bike To Work Victoria.

    Friends of Uplands Park Broom Bash

    By , September 30, 2010 9:29 pm

    Friends of Uplands Broom Bash Poster

    Bring your family, tools (loppers and clippers) and gloves to join in the fun of weeding out Scotch Broom, Ivy and Daphne. Meet at the entrance to Cattle Point and sign in at the Registration Table. Become a “Friend of Uplands Park”.

    Supported by Oak Bay Parks, Girl Guides & The Community Association of Oak Bay

    Contacts: Margaret Lidkea 250-595-8084 Kathleen Matthews 250-598-7995

    Walk, Bus, Bike or Carpool!

    Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up Returns to Willows Beach

    By , September 9, 2010 6:27 am

    The Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up is coming soon, and the Oak Bay Community Association is back at it again this year on Willows Beach!

    Meet us beside the playground at Willows Beach on Saturday, September 18th at 10:00AM.

    We’ll supply the bags, and gloves, and you bring a friend to help.
    Shoreline clean up
    If you’re looking for a fun, community-oriented activity, please bring your family and join us for the Willows Beach clean up!

    Register on the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up website, or simply come down and do your part to keep our shoreline clean!

    If you need some motivation, please have a look at this video about the Great Pacific Plastic Patch.

    Hope to see you there!

    Oak Bay Municipality Appoints Alternative Transportation Sub-Committee

    By , May 24, 2010 6:23 pm

    Submitted by Lesley Ewing, Safer Cycling Oak Bay

    Earlier this year, the Municipality solicited volunteers to form the Alternative Transportation Sub-Committee of the Community Initiatives Committee. We’re pleased to hear that a selection process was completed in March and the following citizens have been selected to serve on the sub-committee:

    Corey Burger
    Neil Jackson
    Gary Law
    Victor Lotto
    Steven Toleiki

    Councilor John Herbert serves as Chair, and other council members include Hazel Braithwaite, Nils Jenson, and Mayor Chris Causton.

    There are no formal terms of reference for the Community Initiatives Committee or the proposed sub-committee. However, the group will be tasked with focusing on alternative transportation priorities and proposed improvements for Oak Bay Village, including issues such as sidewalk widening, parking, potential cycling lanes and beautification, and making recommendations to Oak Bay Municipal Council in this regard.

    Sub-committee members Burger, Jackson, Law, Lotto and Toleiki are invited to introduce themselves to the citizens of Oak Bay by contacting the Community Association of Oak Bay by emailing the Oak Bay Connector. We can publish your email here, as a means of sharing your voice with the community.

    We look forward to recommendations and a defined implementation schedule that will help keep our community members safe and mobile, as well as generate improvements to link with those made by adjacent municipalities.

    First Ever Friends of Uplands Park Celebration a Success!

    By , April 26, 2010 10:17 pm

    Submitted by Margaret Lidkea and Kathleen Mathews, Friends of Uplands Park

    A big thank you for all of you that participated in the initial event for the Friends of Uplands Park!

    About 200 people attended Sunday’s event and more than 60 people (and families) signed up as “Friends of Uplands Park” to help conserve this endangered cultural Garry Oak Meadow Ecosystem.

    We look forward to more events and will contact people in late September. We want to do some “weeding”!

    Yours naturally,
    Margaret Lidkea and Kathleen Matthews, Friends of Uplands Park
    FUP

    Panorama Theme by Themocracy