Garrison Village is a rapidly growing New Urbanist community located just 2km from Niagara-on-the-Lake's (NOTL) historic downtown. Despite the close proximity, bike and pedestrian connections between the two neighbourhoods are severely lacking. This grassroots project seeks to capitalize on Niagara-on-the-Lake’s existing infrastructure to create high quality connections between Garrison Village and Old Town. This plan will improve the lives of residents and tourists alike, making NOTL into a safer and healthier community for everyone.
Plan Summary
Investment is focused on routes which have existing infrastructure or minimal motor traffic, so that the optimum environment is created for all road users. This plan creates three routes to Old Town, which then converge on Simcoe Street. Utilizing quiet Simcoe Street as a key link in this network we create a safe and enjoyable journey for people without impeding motor traffic.
The Community Centre Crossing (section 1a) makes it easier and safer to cross Niagara Stone Rd by creating a new pedestrian crossing at Kirby Street. Butler's Way (section 1b) lights up the trail at Butler’s Graveyard, ensuring it remains accessible at all hours. Lastly, the Lakeshore & Mary Bike Lane (section 1c) dramatically improves the cycling experience on Lakeshore Rd. All three routes then converge at the Simcoe Pedestrian Corridor (section 2), which forms the final pedestrian and cycling link to Old Town.
During the high season, parking in Old Town NOTL is extremely limited, and with continued growth of our local population and tourism industry, this will only get worse. The solution is not to build more parking, but to give good alternatives to driving. If this plan is built, a significant portion of our local and tourist population will not just be able to bike and walk, they will prefer it to driving.
Community Centre Crossing (1a)
The Essential Missing Link
Niagara Stone Rd is a high speed and high volume road, functioning as a major barrier between Garrison Village and the rest of NOTL. There is currently only one crossing, located at the southern border of the Village. By installing a new pedestrian crossing at the intersections of Kirby St & Niagara Stone Rd, travel distance to the community centre will be reduced by up to 400m, or 30%.
The introduction of this median will have the added effect of reducing automotive speeds as Niagara Stone Rd transitions from a rural to urban road.
This route makes the most out of the multi-use path which runs along Niagara Stone Rd. It serves to connect Garrison Village both with downtown and the NOTL Community Centre. Furthermore, it redirects pedestrian and cyclist traffic from busy Mississauga St to the Simcoe Pedestrian Corridor (2).
A pedestrian crossing with bumpouts & median
Butler's Way (1b)
Lighting the Way
A small off road pedestrian path currently connects the eastern end of Garrison Village with central NOTL. It winds through a small forested ravine and passes the historic 19th century Butler's Cemetery before climbing to a quiet residential street (Butler St). Butler St transitions to Mary St (1c), where a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops do business. This forms the most direct route between Garrison Village and Downtown NOTL.
However, when the sun goes down this vital connection becomes unusable. By lighting Butler's trail, residents can safely walk or bike through it at all hours of the day. The trail could be lit in functional or more artistic ways, creating a beautiful public space for the community to enjoy.
Glenlore Trail is creatively lit as a public art exhibit
Lakeshore & Mary Bikelane (1c)
A Street Your Kids Can Bike On
Lakeshore Rd is a major road which runs to the north of Garrison Village. As it transitions from rural to urban NOTL, it changes into Mary Street. This section currently has paved shoulders, and with high volume traffic traveling faster than 50km/h, only the bravest of riders choose to cycle here.
Upgrading this paved shoulder to a protected bi-directional lane will make this route vastly more safe and comfortable. This will allow a much less confident riders (such as children and the elderly) to take this route into town. Furthermore, Mary Street is filled with hotels, restaurants, and shops, who will all benefit greatly from the increased accessibility.
Simcoe Pedestrian Corridor (2)
The Intersection of Art and Safety
Simcoe street is a quiet residential street which runs north/south from the NOTL community centre to downtown and the mouth of the Niagara river. As a direct route with little automotive traffic, it is the perfect choice for a pedestrian corridor.
Bump outs will be constructed at intersections with Simcoe and stop signs at 5 intersections will have their direction changed to give full priority to people walking and rolling. This is minimum cost, maximum benefit, ensuring that drivers will give right of way to those traveling along the corridor. Public art can be worked into the new intersections, providing a strong sense of place and deepening community bonds. Local motor traffic along the corridor will still be allowed, but speeds will be greatly reduced by the new design.
