Ward 8 residents drive home traffic and pedestrian concerns

For example, many residents pointed to the intersection on 28th St. and 6 Ave. W. Currently a four-way stop dictates the traffic, however, some residents believe street lights may work better.

This suggestion comes mostly from residents observing pedestrians, especially young students, who often wait a considerable amount of time before drivers stop for them.

Residents also suggested placing cross walks on 22nd St. and 5th Ave W. among other places.

Along with other residents, Travis Eveleigh believes part of the problem may stem from some driver’s lack of pedestrian awareness.

“There’s zero here in town,” Eveleigh said. “People don’t know how people are supposed to yield or how pedestrians are supposed to work, so I think that’s probably the biggest issues.”

While part of the problem may rest on the pedestrians themselves, Eveleigh says with the lack of crosswalks in the neighbourhood, some are left without a choice.

“As a driver, you know people are just going to dart across the street because they have no other choice and you can’t blame them,” he said.

Safety issues concerning Kinsmen Park were also briefly addressed during the meeting. Some residents who live near the park said they would like to see a larger police presence in the park.

“I think physical presence, or the idea of consequences need to happen because I don’t think there is one,” said Eveleigh. “I think (people) just do it with the expectation that there’s a very low chance it’s going to result in consequence.”

Eveleigh also said he would like to see the parks kept in better condition.

“As a parent, I want to take my kid to Kinsmen Park,” he said. “I love Kinsmen Park, I love Little Red, but there’s always that worry of, ‘Oh, what are we stopping on. Oh shoot, that’s broken, or, oh, don’t touch that.”

The ward meetings have been part of the city’s process in creating a neighbourhood plan that ties into the Official Community Plan. The first draft of the plan is currently up on the city’s website.

There are two more community planning meetings scheduled next week.

Ward 6: Wednesday, Oct. 21 @ 6:30 p.m. at Carlton Park Community Club

Ward 2: Thursday, Oct. 22 @ 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Foyer

knguyen@panow.com

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen

by Khang Nguyen

Ward 8 residents drive home traffic and pedestrian concerns

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