On November 14, 2023, Council approved the routes of three shared-use paths (SUP), directing staff to initiate detail design and land conveyance for each (Motion Carried - Council Minutes). As part of the decision note brought forward to Council for this approval, a new route for the SUP from Airport Heights to the Paul Reynolds Community Centre was recommended for a portion of this route. The new route travels along a portion of Penney Crescent and through Spruce Meadows Park to the intersection of Torbay Road at Gleneyre Street. The decision note also indicated that residents in this area would be asked for feedback. Consultation with residents was completed in November and December 2023 to collect feedback on the new portion of the SUP route, with the primary purpose being to identify which of two options residents preferred for the portion of SUP travelling along Penney Crescent. Option 1 provided parking on one side of the street (even numbers) and a SUP on the odd numbered side of the street; and Option 2 provided parking on both sides of the street with a narrower SUP on the odd numbered side of the street and narrower parking and travel lanes on the street.

As this engagement was targeted to a specific area, households on Penney Crescent, Stirling Crescent, Prim Place, Jackson Place, and Slade Place received addressed mail or letter drop off about the options being considered. A second copy of the letter was provided to be shared with any tenants in the area. Individuals were able to provide feedback by way of an online survey, at an in-person drop-in session at the Paul Reynolds Community Centre on Dec. 6, and by emailing engage@stjohns.ca or calling 311 to speak to a member of the project team. Responses were received from 29 individuals. Seventeen individuals attended the in-person meeting. Additional feedback was received via email.

As per Council direction from the November 14, 2023 and following the targeted engagement, staff will proceed with a request for proposals to complete the detailed design of the Airport Heights to Paul Reynolds Community Centre shared-use path (SUP) with Option 2 as the preferred option for the portion of the SUP travelling along Penney Crescent.

On Nov.14, Council approved route alignments for three shared use paths (SUPs) in the City for which public engagement took place in 2023. One of these routes - Airport Heights to the Paul Reynolds Community Centre - is modified from the original route shared during the public engagement process. What has changed? The new route veers off the existing SUP and travels behind Penney Crescent, then enters the street through Penney Crescent Park, where it continues on the south side of the road (odd numbered houses) until it reaches the path to Spruce Meadows Park (check out the new drawing in the documents).

The SUP will then travel through the park and along the greenway behind Stirling Crescent and Prim Place to reach the intersection of Torbay Rd. and Gleneyre St. before continuing on to Paul Reynolds. Two options are being proposed for the section of the SUP that will travel along a portion of Penney Crescent. Both options are available for review in the Documents folder. Option 1 provides parking on one side of the street (even numbers) and a Shared Use Path on the odd numbered side of the street. Option 2 provides parking on both sides of the street with a narrower Shared Use Path on the odd numbered side.

Households on Penney Crescent, Stirling Crescent, Prim Place, Jackson Place and Slade Place will receive information in the mail about the options being considered. There are several opportunities to provide feedback: an online survey or an in-person drop in session between 6 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Paul Reynolds Centre (see details in the Key Dates). Residents of these streets can also email engage@stjohns.ca or call 311 to speak to a member of the project team.

Council will review staff recommendations for the route alignment related to these three Shared Use Paths (SUPs) for which public engagement took place in June and July of this year at the Tuesday Nov. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting. As noted in the decision note in the Council Agenda, the following route alignments are being recommended:

• An upgrade and extension of the SUP from Airport Heights via Penny Crescent and Spruce Meadows Park to the Paul Reynolds Community Centre;
  • This route is now proposed to enter Penny Crescent and travel through to Spruce Meadows Park and then on to Torbay Rd/Gleneyre intersection before crossing over to the new proposed trail to connect to Paul Reynolds. Check out the note and drawings for more details.
• An extension of the SUP along Columbus Drive from Canada Drive, across Waterford Bridge Road to connect to the T’railway in Bowring Park;
  • See drawing and note for more details.
• An SUP from Portugal Cove Road to Logy Bay Road via Kenny’s Pond and Tupper Laurier Park.
  • The recommendation is to enter from Portugal Cove Rd to Kenny's Pond and add the SUP on the south side of the pond. See drawing and note for more details.

Additional public engagement is recommended for Penny Cres. where residents will be asked for feedback about how to build an active transportation route along their street.

Today, the City of St. John’s released the summary of What We Heard (WWH) during public engagement

Public engagement took place in June and July, during which time there were 2,300 visits to the project page; 51 people actively engaged here. Twenty-seven people attended the virtual engagement session and 50 people attended in-person meetings. Additionally, City staff met with five other key stakeholder groups and five city advisory committees to gather their input, and received 20 email submissions and phone calls.

Summary of what we heard:

• There continues to be concerns about potential future projects (outside of the scope of engagement for 2023) among some people; some people also expressed concerns about the lack of consultation for specific sections of the trails.
• Generally, people support moving forward with active transportation, creating safe space 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 use is important.
• Etiquette and public education are key to successful safe use.
• Need to continue to build continuous paths that allow people to get where they need to go safely throughout the city.
• Intersections and crossings must be safe; where paths end, there must be safe ways to cross/signage.

For more details on what we heard, read the full report.

WWH will be shared with City Council during the Wednesday, Aug. 23 Committee of The Whole meeting. Meetings are broadcast live on the City’s website. Staff will bring forward recommendations regarding detailed design in the coming weeks.