Paradise residents get their say on trails master plan

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Foot traffic was light for the first of two public engagement sessions September 14 on the Town of Paradise’s trails master plan.

Landscape architect Rachael Fitkowski of Mills & Wright Landscaping said there has been a fair amount of feedback already through an online survey and several pop-up engagements around Octagon Pond and Neil’s Pond.

The survey closed September 21 and the last of stakeholder consultations was planned for September 17. Fitkowski said the plan is to take all that feedback, as well as information gathered during fieldwork at different locations, and conduct analysis for a report to council.

“We are looking at presenting a report around the end of October so that any high priorities identified have time to be considered during the budget process,” she said.

Paradise allotted $60,000 towards building a trails master plan and awarded the contract to Mills & Wright in July at a cost of $58,966 (HST included).

“With the Town growing so fast we don’t want to miss any opportunity to enhance our trail connectivity,” said Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street, who attended the afternoon session September 14 along with councillor Tommy Maher.

Fitkowski said there had been 263 survey responses as of Sept. 14, and around 80 responses at the pop-up locations.

Poster boards at the open house outlined survey feedback so far. Residents were asked to choose up to five amenities most important to them when using the trail network, and the top choice was lighting, followed by waste and recycling receptacles, pet waste stations, benches, signage and public art. Most respondents indicated they use the trail network at least a few times a week, or daily.