This project aims to enhance safety and accessibility by installing protective access-control bollards, street lighting, and signage for a newly developed multi-use pathway. This pathway connects the daycare on Kilgard Road to new sports facilities and a significant new health and community multiplex facility, currently being constructed along North Parallel Road. By creating a direct, inviting, and secure route across Marshall Creek, the pathway will ensure the safety for active transportation users, offering a dedicated space that is entirely separated from motor vehicle traffic.
Sumas First Nation lacks dedicated active transportation infrastructure leaving community members who walk or cycle without safe routes to schools, parks, and other communal spaces. As a result, they are forced to share busy, narrow roadways with motor vehicle traffic, posing significant risks.
Recent incident reports and traffic data underscore a concerning trend of near misses and crashes involving young pedestrians and cyclists. The absence of sidewalks, designated bike lanes, and safe crossings exacerbates these risks, directly threatening the well-being of our children.
Sumas First Nation's development of a safe multiuse pathway is more than just an infrastructure enhancement; it is a commitment to equity and fairness. By focusing on the safety needs of vulnerable populations, considering the unique challenges faced by our Indigenous community, and embedding equity in planning, implementation, and evaluation, our project strives to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all community members, regardless of age or socio-economic status.
The new pathway connects the daycare to a new soccer field and basketball court before crossing Marshall Creek to reach a new health and community multiplex development. Access at both ends of the pathway will be restricted to service vehicles only by means of removeable bollards. Additionally, solar powered lighting will be installed to enable safe usage outside of daylight hours.
The impact of this project is expected to be multifaceted. By creating this multiuse pathway and facilitating safe access for active users to several important community facilities, this project is anticipated to significantly improve perceived safety. This project aims to reduce collisions and near-misses involving children, granting parents the confidence to allow their children to use these now-safer modes of travel in the community. Moreover, the development of this safer infrastructure not only safeguards our younger community members, but also supports older adults and families with lower incomes who rely on active transportation methods like walking or cycling. Furthermore, the increased visibility of road safety measures is anticipated to foster a cultural shift, promoting safer behaviors among all road users.
