Powell River Regional District directors have agreed on first steps to implement the parks and greenspace plan.
Directors adopted the final version of the plan in November 2010. They discussed setting priorities for the 2011 budget at a recently committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Frances Ladret, regional district administrator, provided directors with information from surveys distributed to the public as part of developing the plan. Survey results indicated general support for setting aside lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for establishing a parks and greenspace advisory committee, public priorities for access categories and for some level of tax increase to implement the plan.
After discussing the information, directors agreed to develop some public access rights-of-way to the foreshore. Generally, the access points would be developed to pedestrian trail standards, with the objective of providing at least one access point in each electoral area.
Directors also agreed to establish a parks and greenspace advisory committee, which would start meeting in the fall. Ladret said the timeframe would give new regional district staff an opportunity to become familiar with the plan and the regional board’s long-term implementation plans. Directors agreed that committee membership should include broad geographic representation as well as representation from a variety of recreational interests. Staff will prepare terms of reference for the advisory committee before the summer.
Ladret also recommended directors consider supporting initiatives to better inform the public about trail locations, including signage, identification and mapping.
After discussing the issue, directors agreed to incorporate about $50,000 in the 2011 budget for the work.
Ladret noted that perhaps six access trails could be developed with those funds, as well as providing support for the advisory committee and developing trail information for the public.
