Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association's AGM (October 21st)

We presented Kirkendall Walks to a responsive audience of 90 people or so. Councillor McHattie's presentation and the one taht followed ours-Light rail for Hamilton-with Ryan McGreal all helped bring home the message that alternatives to the car is a very serious concern that Hamilton is ready to deal with.

The Neighbourhood Association has now publically and officially announced it's commitment to active transportation and will be forming a commitee that focuses on sustainability with walking cycling and taking transit to help reduce green house gases andmitigate climate change as a central focus. Congratulations to Derek Hrynyshyn for taking the lead on this!
A petition was also circulated that night concerning the need to rebuild the Poulette pedestrian bridge.

Alley Tour of Kirkendall

The alley tour(October 18th) with Emma Cubitt and her partner Graham was another huge success. Over 45 people coming out to walk Kirkendalls many fall-colored,charming back alleyways.

Kirkendall Walks: Update

Thank you to those who attended the Kirkendall Walks meeting on Thursday.

Nicholas Kevlahan of the Durand Neighbourhood Association shared his slideshow of revitalized streetscapes in a European community. He highlighted ways of making streets more pedestrian and cycling friendly – and beautiful! He also shared the experience of the Durand community who have been working on pedestrian issues and have seen some improvements there.

Daryl Bender (Alternative Transportation department at the City) attended and heard many of the concerns we have with cycling networks and cycling safety. He is gathering input this fall for the City Cycling Master Plan.

Dale Brown from Councillor McHattie's office attended as well. She made note of our concerns to date and has provided some useful information regarding the area Traffic Management Study. We have already done some follow-up with Councillor McHattie's office regarding crosswalk painting and curb ramps.

NEXT STEPS – We invite you to take any of the following steps to help Kirkendall become more pedestrian and cycling friendly

1) Review recommendations from the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Traffic
Management Study

The City of Hamilton completed a Traffic Management Plan for the Kirkendall Neighbourhood in 2006. This included traffic impacts associated with the redevelopment of the former CAMCO site by McMaster Innovation Park. This document includes collision data (2000-2005), bicycle and pedestrian safety concerns, development-related traffic concerns and much more. It contains general recommendations to address parking, transit, trucking, etc.

Many of these recommendations address the concerns brought up in our neighbourhood assessment. We invite you to go through this document and highlight recommendations you would like to see supported. The report can be found at:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/cityandgovernment/citydepartments/public
works/capitalplanning/strategicplanning/strategicenvironmentalplanningprojec
ts/kirkendall+neighbourhood+traffic+management+study.htm

You will also find the West Hamilton Bicycle Network Review. This has recommendations for the bicycle network.

2) Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association AGM

The KNA is holding their AGM on Oct. 21st. Derek Hrynyshyn suggested we try to formalize a committee within the NA that would back projects initiated by Environment Hamilton and residents. The Neighbourhood Association really has their finger on the pulse of what is happening in the community. It communicates frequently with the residents, and will be active for years to come. This would be an ideal channel to continue work in the community.

Here are the details of the AGM. Hope to see you all there.

7 pm, Tuesday, October 21st
Stanley Avenue Baptist Church
Corner of Stanley and Locke Street
Hear About:
Plans for Light Rail Transit in Hamilton,
Making Kirkendall a Walkable neighbourhood,
Big Box Development off Longwood Road

3) Communicate cycling concerns to Daryl Bender, Alternative Transportation, City of Hamilton.

On Thursday, we shared our cycling concerns with Daryl Bender at the City. He now needs to hear from everyone in Kirkendall who couldn't make our meeting.

Add your name to the list of residents concerned with cycling safety and cycling networks – a stronger voice is more likely to be heard! Please be specific with your concerns and requests.

Email: Daryl.Bender@hamilton.ca

4) There are many other avenues for getting involved. Please contact Beatrice or Jarah for more information. 905-549-0900, environmenthamilton@gmail.com

Kirkendall Walking and Cycling Concerns

Public meeting – all welcome!

Thursday, Oct. 2^nd, 7:00pm

Stanley Ave. Baptist Church

115 Stanley Ave.

On Thursday you will:

• Meet other residents helping to make Kirkendall a walking and cycling-friendly neighbourhood
• Prioritize concerns and develop ideas for improving the neighbourhood

Environment Hamilton will give a short summary of the concerns brought up through our Kirkendall Walkability study. This volunteer-based, street-by-street canvass has generated a long list of concerns for walkers and cyclists - from problem street crossings to cycling network weaknesses.

As a group, we will discuss ways of improving the neighbourhood. Suggestions might be directed at the city, but there are many exciting things we can do with the local businesses and with our neighbours. Actions might include:

- recommendations for the city cycling masterplan - to be submitted during the public consultation meetings this fall

- traffic calming projects around the entrance to the HAAA grounds through community art projects, a physical roundabout, awareness actions, etc.

- work with the local businesses to make streetscapes around businesses more walker friendly

- recommendations to the city about pedestrian safety issues due to traffic

- a network to better understand and participate in plans for development around your neighbourhood

- work promoting walking and cycling as a healthy alternative to short vehicle trips

We look forward to working with you,

Beatrice and Jarah

Kirkendall Walks Project

Environment Hamilton

905-549-0900

www.environmenthamilton.org

Pearl Bridge Party-24th September

There were close to 50 people who came out to this event. We handed out leaflets concerning the pedestrian bridges situation in Kirkendall. Petitions were signed to have the Poulette bridge rebuilt, hot dogs were cooked by chief organizer, Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) Gord Pullar. Food was eaten by the participants! Yum.

Walk Locke Tour

Bill Manson's historical Walk Locke tour was very well attended- a whopping 65 people came out to this event! Our crowd was growing as we went down the street and people splintered into groups after, going for coffee or lunch with friends afterward.
There will be another tour but we will have to take registration due to popularity of the tour!

Kirkendall Walks Locke Street

We had a great turn out at the Locke st festival despite the initial setback of rain. Once the sun came out, so did the people. We must have had 10 people sign up for the to do the vehicle log giving away pedometers to those who committed to log their vehicle use for a month.
15 people sign up to be on the Kirkendall Walks list and another 100 or more people stop and take information from our tent. Thanks to the very nice librarian at the Locke st library who photocopied 50 copies of our flyer when I ran out of them all for free.
We had around 14 comments added to our board on what needs to be done to improve walkability and bikeability in Kirkendall.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this day a sucess.