What We Heard: Shared-Use Paths

Image of persons using a shared-use path with the words Shared Use Path Public Engagement: What We Heard overlayed

The City of St. John’s has released a What We Heard report summarizing findings from public engagement which took place in June and July on the development of projects to support a comprehensive active transportation network. This consultation collected feedback on three shared-use path (SUP) projects:

An upgrade and extension of the SUP from Airport Heights via Penny Crescent and Torbay Road to the Paul Reynolds Community Centre
A new SUP connection along Columbus Drive from Canada Drive, across Waterford Bridge Road to connect to the T’railway in Bowring Park.
A SUP from Portugal Cove Road to Logy Bay Road via MacDonald Drive and Tupper Laurier Park.

What We Heard will be shared with Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Promotional efforts resulted in over 2,300 visits to the project page on EngageStJohns.ca, with 51 visitors engaging through the provision of feedback or questions. Four public sessions were held to collect feedback, which were attended by approximately 50 people in-person and 27 virtually. Additionally, 20 emails and phone calls were received.

Multiple stakeholders were also consulted including City Committees, Bowring Park Foundation, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, Village Mall Administration, Kenny’s Pond/Tiffany Village administration and the Grand Concourse Authority.

Highlights of What We Heard:

Generally, people support moving forward with active transportation, creating safe spaces for biking, and improving accessibility throughout the City.
Signage, lighting, places to stop and rest, and access points to neighbourhoods are important to stakeholders and the public.
Winter maintenance and year-round access is important.
Etiquette and public education around proper use are key to the successful and safe use of shared-use paths.
Intersections and crossings must be safe; where paths end, there must be safe ways to cross and effective signage.
Some people expressed concerns about the lack of consultation for specific sections of the trails.

Staff will bring forward recommendations regarding detailed design in the coming weeks.

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