North Shuswap Pathway

North Shuswap Pathway Team

Fundraising for the NS Pathway

The inaugural meeting of the North Shuswap Pathway Project occurred in Spring 2020. Debbie Seymour gathered several like minded enthusiasts together with the improbable mission ‘let’s see if we can get a pathway started in the North Shuswap’ Being excited, and perhaps naïve, none of us realized the extent of the effort. Yet we jumped in feet first. Almost three years later, we are still excited as we are making progress.

 

Over this time, we have created a Terms of Reference, completed one of the most successful survey’s in the area with over 300 responses, identified seven key sections of the road between Skwlax to St Ives, consulted with experienced trail builders, prepared and presented our findings to Darcy Mooney, Ryan Nitchie and Jay Simpson of Columbia Shuswap Regional District. We were fortunate to receive their support and they committed funds for Preliminary Engineering Designs of the top 3 areas. Continuing from there, CSRD has committed further funds to have a Final  Engineering Design completed for the first piece from Ross Creek Community Park to the parking area just past Fraser Road.

 

Upon completed review from the Ministry of Transportation, First Nations and the Final Engineering Design, the pathway project will be construction ready. A necessary step for CSRD to apply for Active Transportation Grants. A successful grant application doesn’t provide 100% funding for the project. Depending on whether timing aligns with the Federal or Provincial grant streams, it could potentially be as high as $500,000. CSRD has allocated further funding for leverage monies but this first piece is estimated at a cost of $808,000 and we need help to see the pathway built.

 

We see this first piece as being the beginning of pathway along the Squilax Anglemont Road and are

asking for the North Shuswap communities support by purchasing a metre for $125, a monthly donation of $10 or any donation amount. We have collaborated with Shuswap Trail Alliance who hold all funds in trust until required. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $20

 

Please use the link below or SCAN THE QR Code to Donate

 

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/80039

 

 

 

Thanks so much for helping us make this happen! Connecting our community and creating a safe, healthy environment.

 

North Shuswap Pathway Team

Terms of Reference

MANDATE

The primary goal of the North Shuswap Pathway Team is to provide information and recommendations to Strategic Partners in developing a current Active Transportation Plan which allows the North Shuswap Pathway Team to position itself for potential funding opportunities from all sources.

SCOPE

• Review the existing Greenway Plans and Active Transportation Guides
• Prioritize focus of portions of pathway from Skwlax to St. Ives
• Identify potential funding opportunities
• Identify and engage potential private, non-profit and governmental partners to collaborate in the development of Active Transportation
• Research best practices in Active Transportation from other jurisdictions
• Make recommendations on  priorities for future pathway development for people of all ages and abilities.

TIMELINES

The North Shuswap Task Force will provide an interim report and recommendations to Strategic Partners by Sept 1, 2020

Pathway Survey Conclusions

 

The survey ran for 21 days, posted on social media and distributed throughout community email lists.

Responses were mainly received by local residents and some seasonal homeowners

 

There was a high degree of interest with 329 responses given the population of the area. This was critical towards the success of a pathway moving forward in the North Shuswap. It gave us excellent data which we understand is very important to Columbia Shuswap Regional District and our other Strategic Partners. The community has spoken of their wishes.

 

How is the road being used now and how often?

• 60% of respondents currently use at least one segment of the highway for walking, cycling, running on a weekly basis.
• 70% of the respondents start their active transportation journey from home
• 30% of the respondents drive to a spot along the highway to begin their activity
• 80% of the respondents said they would increase their usage if the proposed pathways were built.

The top 3 sections of the road being used are:

1. Between Ross Creek Country Store to Lakeview Park/Community Centre
2. Between Magna Bay Community Park & Boat Launch to Ross Creek Country Store
3. Between North Shuswap Elementary Scholl and Magna Bay Community Park & Boat Launce

Which criteria should be used for preference of priority to build?

1. Build along  busiest parts of the highway,
2. Build near the most populated areas
3. Build between the park areas

Reasons for using an active transportation pathway

• 85% of respondents cited safety as the key reason to build pathways
• 71% of respondents said that they would use pathways to connect with people or places
• 69% of respondents suggested exercise was part of their purpose in using pathways.

Based on the data collected and the research completed by the North Shuswap Pathway Team the top three choices presented to Columbia Shuswap Regional District for consideration of engineering assessment are:

• Bristow Road Park to Ross Creek Park
• Ross Creek Park to Lakeview Park
• Connectors in Scotch Creek

 

Announcement of BC Active Transportation Grant

Phase 1 of the North Shuswap Parallel Pathway, a multi-use pathway connecting Ross Creek Park in Magna  Bay to Fraser Road in Anglemont, was one of

the successful recipients of a $500,000 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant.

These grants help local governments plan and build improved connections to work, school and recreational centres, and create infrastructure

in communities to support active modes of transportation.

This 2.4km section of the pathway is designed to be a 2m wide pathway, located within the Ministry of Transportation right-of-way on Squilax-Anglemont Road,

running along the southern and eastern side of the road.

 

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District applied for the grant, with assistance in the submission from The Shuswap Trail Alliance.

This is a cost-sharing grant with local governments. The total cost of this project is estimated at around $770,000, with community donations to the pathway

project of $28,400 (held in reserve with the Shuswap Trail Alliance) and anticipated further contributions from the CSRD.

Fiona Barton, CSRD Manager, Community Services has confirmed to the North Shuswap Pathway Team that archaeological consultants have been retained to begin the

archaeological impact investigation.

“There’s around a nine month wait period for the required permitting before their field work can begin,” but in the meantime, CSRD parks services will be coordinating

with Lawson Engineering, which did the engineering on the project, on the tender process to retain a contractor.

 

The North Shuswap Pathway Team formed in the spring of 2020. The goal of the team was to work with all necessary partners to develop a multi-use pathway to

connect the North Shuswap communities, providing a safe alternative for pedestrians and cyclists. Over the past four years, the team did its own preliminary mapping

of the routes, met with community groups, government organizations and engineers, did an on-line survey and set up information booths and two bike safety rodeos to

update the community. With  the necessary archaeological and construction work on Phase 1 in the hands of  the CSRD, the pathway team is turning its attention

to the next phase, which could be pathway connectors in Scotch Creek from Rose Clifford Park to Kenwood Gate, since an initial survey has already been completed

on this section.

 

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The North Shuswap Pathway Team consists of Doug Easterbrook, Jim Dingledein, Celia Nord, Dianne Francois, Jo Anne Malpass, Leith Bentz, Roger Foster and Debbie Seymour. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of the team.

 

Thanks so much for your patience as we work to continue connecting our community!