Jun 22, 2016

A new multi-use trail will soon provide a safe and comfortable connection between the Wishart neighbourhood and Royal Bay Secondary School and surrounding area. Work is scheduled to begin during the week of June 20th so that the trail is well established by the start of the school year in September.

Connecting neighbourhoods

The trail begins at the corner of Painter Road and Dressler Road, and will wind through the sloped park area, then continue 450 metres across the gravel pit to connect to Ryder Hesjedal Way. This will provide a safe route for students walking to and from school. A follow-up project is planned to make safety improvements to the intersection of Painter, Dressler and Cotlow Roads.

Painter Trail will also be a community recreational amenity that will allow for a nice walk or bike ride to new features coming soon to Royal Bay, such as Meadow Park and the Neighbourhood House where a restaurant and cafe are planned.

A user friendly trail

The trail through the park is designed for safe use by people of all ages and levels of mobility, whether they are walking or on wheels. A couple of switchbacks are needed to achieve the 6% grade required to ensure the trail is safe and comfortable. The park section will be paved, while the stretch across the gravel pit will use a crushed gravel base. The entire length of the trail will be bordered by split-rail fence.

Some tree removal will be required, with replanting to create an eco-friendly park that includes edible plants and permaculture features. Lighting, fencing and seating are all planned to make the area safe, comfortable and attractive. (Note that a nesting survey was completed to ensure the work will not disturb nesting birds.)

Involving Royal Bay Secondary students

The City has interviewed several grade 11 students from Royal Bay Secondary School with plans to hire two students to work on the trail design and construction during the summer. This will give the students valuable work experience, while providing City staff with insight into how their peers are likely to use the trail. The plan includes a provision to accommodate a shortcut through the switchback portion for those who don't require the level grade. The student hires may be instrumental in informing the design of the shortcut trail. Working on the project will also provide a sense of student pride and ownership of the trail.

Keeping neighbours in the know

City staff invited neighbours who live adjacent to the trail to a site meeting to learn more about the trail design, work schedule and goals of the project. Approximately 15 neighbours stopped by and all expressed support for the project. Some considerations they asked the City to address include:

  • A three-way stop at the intersection of Painter, Dressler and Cotlow Roads.
  • Design the trail head to discourage people from using it as a drop off or parking area.
  • Consider trees that will offer a windbreak.
  • Explore options for low impact lighting that protects dark skies.
  • Include garbage cans in the park area.
  • Consider bat boxes to encourage bats to return after the work is complete.

Have questions or suggestions?

Contact the CIty of Colwood Engineering Department at 250-478-5999 or info@colwood.ca. The Project Lead for the Painter Trail is Emmet McCusker, Deputy Director of Engineering.