We have posted a recording on YouTube of our March 28 community discussion.
Listen to a Recap of our Gatineau Park Parkways Community Discussion (March 28)
We have posted a recording on YouTube of our March 28 community discussion.
Using the park actively (any level) vs scenic bus tour.
If I’m using the park to be active, I just need an accessible access point for a bus to drop me off and pick me up. Think Europe. There are existing roads that circle the park or could go express to Chelsea. No need to use the parkways.
If I’m on a scenic tour, I need an electric viewing style bus to drive on the parkway so I can see the forest that I cannot walk in and not impact it by my use of a emission emitting powered vehicle.
I also was not prepared to hear at the meeting that there is no plan for active use time when cars are not permitted on the parkways.
Stating that we are going to pre-pandemic schedules overlooks how wonderful it was to see users of all levels or intensity, age, and style of use in the park. Walkers and runners with cyclists and families pushing strollers. It was amazing!
Going back to pre-pandemic use style is like sending everyone back to their workplace without considering what benefits have been found from working from home. Short sighted.
I agree public transit access is an issue and has been for many years but don’t stop the parkways from being closed to all vehicles for some of the time each week. That is a HUGE loss for everyone.
Thank you for organizing this meeting. It was the first time I have attended this style of meeting and I have some points I was unprepared to say Monday evening. My two comments are in reaction to the Parkways for people meeting. I’m wondering if there will be a follow up public meeting.