Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path
Update: This project has moved to construction phase (Oct. 2023) - check out the documents, schedule and updated FAQs for details.
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use-Path is the first catalyst project coming from the Bike St John's Master Plan. The shared-use path will extend from King's Bridge Road to Columbus Drive. It is mostly in place as a granular walking trail today, linking several neighbourhoods through an important east-west greenway that largely parallels Empire Avenue (between King's Bridge Rd and Carpasian Rd, the route will be along Empire Ave). Its goal is to provide an attractive and continuous 4.8 km recreation corridor and active transportation city-centre route, connecting popular destinations and amenities along the way. The shared-use path is proposed for people of all ages and abilities, using all forms of active transportation, including walking, running, biking, and rolling.
The City of St. John's engaged a highly qualified team of professionals to complete the detailed design of the shared-use path while working closely with city staff. The design team provided a series of public engagement opportunities for residents and stakeholders to share their input to inform design decisions around elements such as lighting, surface materials, path alignment, trailhead and rest areas, wayfinding, and other features that emerge during the process.
Update: This project has moved to construction phase (Oct. 2023) - check out the documents, schedule and updated FAQs for details.
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use-Path is the first catalyst project coming from the Bike St John's Master Plan. The shared-use path will extend from King's Bridge Road to Columbus Drive. It is mostly in place as a granular walking trail today, linking several neighbourhoods through an important east-west greenway that largely parallels Empire Avenue (between King's Bridge Rd and Carpasian Rd, the route will be along Empire Ave). Its goal is to provide an attractive and continuous 4.8 km recreation corridor and active transportation city-centre route, connecting popular destinations and amenities along the way. The shared-use path is proposed for people of all ages and abilities, using all forms of active transportation, including walking, running, biking, and rolling.
The City of St. John's engaged a highly qualified team of professionals to complete the detailed design of the shared-use path while working closely with city staff. The design team provided a series of public engagement opportunities for residents and stakeholders to share their input to inform design decisions around elements such as lighting, surface materials, path alignment, trailhead and rest areas, wayfinding, and other features that emerge during the process.
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Trail Features
about 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.What features do you want to see on this shared-use path, such as seating, lighting and directional signs? Be creative!
Join the conversation by sharing your ideas, comments, and concerns about Kelly's Brook shared-use path right here on the project's Idea Boards. Explore the boards to see other ideas and concerns and add your comments.
mdmabout 3 years agoTwo seconds to impact...
Cyclist in your PR image above admiring scenery to the side - just as runner, also not looking ahead, passes person in wheelchair. What could possibly go wrong???
0 comment0miduleyover 3 years agoSafe connector route from upper elevations
It will be very difficult and potentially dangerous to connect from the Georgestown/Rennies Mill area or other upper elevations to the bikepath without using Carpasian or Rennies Mill below Circular. These hills are too steep especially for senior citizens or anyone else not in exceptional physical shape to go up or down on a bike. Can a connector be developed--at a minimum a wide bike path to push a bike up/down; or a better gradient or less busy connector, perhaps using the lane from Circular near the brewery to Empire and then on to Kelly's Brook? As those of us who walk are giving up peaceful enjoyment of this trail, at least accomodate us for this other use.
1 comment1LSabout 3 years agoPlease do not pave the pathways or clear them of snow (grooming snow is okay)
Please do not pave the pathways, please don’t clear the snow down to the surface (grooming is okay) and please keep this trail nature based. In terms of year round use, people can ski, snowshoe, fatbike, pull kids in a sled, etc. There are accessibility options for people to ski in a wheelchair, etc. It is a beautiful spot for winter activities and clearing the snow off the trail would ruin this. Grooming the trails to make snowshoeing or pulling a sled easier would be okay. Not everyone has a car to get to Pippy Park, Bowring Park or the East Coast Trail. If people need a paved surface, please put more effort into clearing sidewalks adjacent to streets. I like to go sledding with my child near the Elk’s Club. It’s a wonderful sliding area for neighbourhood families and doesn’t get crowded like Pippy Park and Bowring Park. It is also very walkable which is important because a lot of people in this neighbourhood don’t own cars. (We own a car, but we like the ten minute walk along the trail to the sliding area). When sliding, sleds completely cross the trail - it’s impossible to avoid doing this. If the trail is paved and cleared of snow in the winter, it would have a huge negative impact this sliding area. When people walk or snowshoe through, people sliding are very respectful and wait until people pass. Current sight lines are already very good for this. Please don’t impact this beautiful winter wonderland trail and neighbourhood sliding area by clearing snow off the trail in the winter.
0 comment0mdmabout 3 years agoI understand the City has NO plans to clear the Kelly's Brook path of snow. They will be no more walkable in winter than they are now.
I don't know why so many people on here think otherwise. The city should clear up that misperception.
0 comment0dmparsonsabout 3 years agoInfoboards
Compared to areas like the Geo Centre, Harbourside Park, and the rest of Signal Hill, this area would benefit from infoboards about local flora/fauna, and history about the areas/nearby attractions that the path crosses through/by.
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Concerns
about 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.What concerns do you have about using this trail as a shared-use path?
Join the conversation by sharing your ideas, comments, and concerns about Kelly's Brook shared-use path right here on the project's Idea Boards. Explore the boards to see other ideas and concerns and add your comments.
mdmabout 3 years agoThose who enjoy their favourite music or podcasts while walking or running will no longer be able to safely do so.
0 comment0Harisover 3 years agoEnhancement of safety measures on Freshwater Rd Intersection
I have used the trail throughout the year on multiple times. I believe a critical area that needs to be improved is the intersection on Freshwater Rd. This portion has additional importance due to it being the main connection for the farmers market. The current plan for just upgrading the traffic light intersection is not enough to make the passage safe during winter. I believe waiting for traffic lights to change while standing next to fast moving vehicles would deter trail users and put them at risk on low visibility winter nights. Please review this for improvements and ideally reduce the road to single vehicle to slow cars down with large pedestrian spaces to avoid users getting splashed with water or hit by a vehicle. Thanks!
1 comment3mdmabout 3 years agoThere will be no longer be any peace and quiet on the trails.
The sounds of birds and rustling leaves, will be replaced by the sounds of bicycle bells and wheels whizzing by within inches.
0 comment0mdmabout 3 years agoSerious cyclists won't even be happy.
Weaving around pedestrians, slamming on brakes for dogs and children, trying to avoid oncoming cyclists.
0 comment0mdmabout 3 years agoMost trail users and other citizens didn't find out about the Plan until it was funded and approved.
No chance to influence any decisions. Surely just an oversight, right??
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Using the Path Today and in the Future
about 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.How do you want to use this shared-use path today and in the future?
Join the conversation by sharing your ideas, comments, and concerns about Kelly's Brook shared-use path right here on the project's Idea Boards. Explore the boards to see other ideas and concerns and add your comments.
kathrynravynover 3 years agoAccessibility
The Kelly's Brook shared-use path would offer a much more accessible option of transportation and leisure to the residents of St. John's. By creating a shared-use path, the trail becomes not only usable by foot, but also by bike, scooter, wheelchair, and rollerblade. This path travels through a variety of outdoor spaces offering a vital connection to nature -- vital to our health, wellness, and wellbeing -- and is something everyone deserves access to. This kind of access is lacking in St. John's!
0 comment3kathrynravynover 3 years agoSignage
With proper signage, everybody can feel comfortable and confident using the shared-use trail!
0 comment2kathrynravynover 3 years agoTransportation
Around 90% of my time is spent around the Kelly's Brook trail. I live quite close to Wishingwell Park, work near Empire Ave/Columbus Drive, regularly visit the Farmer's Market, go to MUN, and spend time around Quidi Vidi. A shared-use trail would make commuting to all of these places quicker and safer by bicycle!
0 comment2JoshSmeeover 3 years agoGetting to and from the Farmers' Market
The Market is a very regular stop for me and my family and we'd love to be able to use this trail to get there - it's long-ish walk with groceries but an easy bike ride
0 comment2JoshSmeeover 3 years agoA safe travel route for my family
I have a young child (2 years old at the moment) who is just getting into riding her little balance bike. By the time she's old enough to ride places by herself I'd love for her to have some options away from the road. With a decent connection made to downtown, we'd use this all the time.
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Public Engagement and Construction Schedule
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Public Engagement
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path has finished this stagePublic input will inform design elements such as lighting, surface material choice, path alignment, trailhead and rest area design, wayfinding, and other decisions that may emerge during the design process.
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Feedback collected and under review
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path has finished this stageAll feedback collected throughout the process is currently being analyzed and will be compiled into a What we Heard document.
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What we Heard released and Report with Recommendations to Council
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path has finished this stageDecision Note and What we Heard included in Committee of the Whole agenda, March 24. Page 37
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Detail Design - Portion of Kelly's Brook SUP from Carpasian Rd to Guy St
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path has finished this stageThe shared-use-path will be designed for use by people of all ages and abilities. The design work includes trail alignment, landscaping, rest areas, wayfinding, lighting, street-crossing and intersection treatments, and more.
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2023-2024 Construction - Phase 1A Carpasian Road to Guy Street
Kelly's Brook Shared-Use Path is currently at this stageConstruction begins November 6, 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by late summer 2024.
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Detailed Design - Portion of Kelly's Brook SUP from Guy St to Columbus Drive
this is an upcoming stage for Kelly's Brook Shared-Use PathDesign work for the portion of Kelly's Brook SUP from Guy Street to Columbus Drive is ongoing, with anticipated tender call Winter 2024. The shared-use-path will be designed for use by people of all ages and abilities. The design work includes trail alignment, landscaping, rest areas, wayfinding, lighting, street-crossing and intersection treatments, and more.
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2024 Construction - Phase 1C Guy Street to Columbus Drive
this is an upcoming stage for Kelly's Brook Shared-Use PathConstruction for the portion of Kelly's Brook SUP between Guy Street and Columbus Drive is anticipated to be underway during the 2024 construction season.
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Detailed Design - Portion of Kelly's Brook SUP from Kings Bridge Road to Carpasian Road
this is an upcoming stage for Kelly's Brook Shared-Use PathDesign work for the portion of Kelly's Brook SUP from Kings Bridge Road to Carpasian Road is ongoing, with anticipated construction in 2025. The shared-use-path will be designed for use by people of all ages and abilities. The design work includes trail alignment, landscaping, rest areas, wayfinding, lighting, street-crossing and intersection treatments, and more.
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2025 Construction - Phase 1B Kings Bridge Road to Carpasian Road
this is an upcoming stage for Kelly's Brook Shared-Use PathConstruction for the portion of Kelly's Brook SUP between Kings Bridge Road and Carpasian Road is anticipated to be underway during the 2025 construction season.
Videos
- This video was developed to support public engagement and describes the route as well as plans to make portions of this trail accessible. It answers these questions: Why is this project being completed? What route will the shared-use path follow? What surface materials are being considered? How can you provide feedback for design?
Related projects
Who's Listening
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Council Lead - Sustainability
Phone 576-8286 Email mburton@stjohns.ca