Parkland Bylaw – One-Year Review

Recommendation:
That the May 20, 2005, Community Services departmentreport 2005CSP004 be received for information.

Report Summary

This report provides an update on the implementation of Parkland Bylaw 2202,and a summary of the input collected from the public consultation process for the one-year review of the bylaw.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the May 20, 2003, Community Services Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:

That a review of Bylaw 13382 be provided to Community Services Committee after one full year of operation.

Report

  • The amended Parkland Implementation Update – The Parkland Bylaw Bylaw 2202 came into effect January 1, 2004. The bylaw sets manageable guidelines for the conduct and activities of all park users. It encourages reasonable use of parks property and is intended to promote a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. To ensure the successful implementation of the Parkland Bylaw, the Community Services Department has completed the following implementation activities.
  • Staff Orientation - All Community Services staff who needed to know and understand the Parkland Bylaw have received an orientation. Community Recreation Coordinators who work with the community leagues are informed and knowledgeable with regard to the effects of the Parkland Bylaw on community league operations.
  • Public Orientation and Information

In 2004, Community Services engaged residents and stakeholders through a variety of public orientation and information methods.

 Brochures –Community Services has printed and made available to the public a variety of “plain English” brochures including:

  • . This includes such brochures as Parkland Bylaw 2202
  • Parkland Bylaw 2202 for Community Groups
  • Picnic Areas Brochure
  • Cycle Edmonton Map and
  • the On the Go, Ice and Snow! Winter Recreation Guide

City Website - Information on the Parkland Bylaw is available on the City of Edmonton website( There is a “frequently asked questions” section that is very helpful to citizens who require clarification about the bylaw. Therebylaw. Through the website there is also an e-mail link for citizens’ questions.

to send your Parkland Bylaw question to. Education Sessions – Formal and informal trails education sessions were held throughout the summer of 2004. Sessions were aimed at both commuters and recreational users. alike. These sessions wereare conducted by the Park Rangers and will continue in 2005. The information focusedprovided focuses on trail safety, a “share the trails” philosophy and appropriate equipment use, including helmets and bells.

oMedia/Public Relations – There have been several reportsarticles in the local media (, radio, TV, and newspapers) on the Parkland Bylaw. Many community leagues have printed information on the bylaw in their community newsletters.

  • Signage - Trail usage signs have been installed throughout the river valley parks system and select neighbourhood and district park areas. This signage informs trail users on rules/practices to follow on trails to better ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.
  • Permits- A permit process has been put in place for activities on parkland that require a permit. on parkland. All neighbourhood Community Recreation Coordinators are aware of this process and can assist community leagues in their area on activities that require permits on parkland.
  • Environmental Assessment–Community Services is undertaking an environmental assessment of the impacts of the changes brought about by the Parkland Bylaw on the river valley. Use of trails has expanded by opening up the majority of unimproved trails for use by cyclists and all other users. The department is assessing whether this increased access to trails is negatively affectingeffecting the river valley natural environment. A studyStudy of representative areas within the river valley will continue to monitor the impacts of increased usage on these trails as the information gathered to date has not resulted in any conclusive results.
  • Enforcement- The Edmonton Police Service, Bylaw Enforcement and Park Ranger staff Staff are familiar with the Parkland Bylaw. Park Rangers are using an education/information approach to help ensurethat citizens comply. In 2004, the Ranger unitUnit staff issued 81 written warning notices and 27 violation tickets under the Parkland Bylaw.

Bylaw Public Consultation Update

  • Parkland Bylaw 2202, Public Awareness and impact and Stakeholder Surveys-–Criterion Research Corporation conducted an awareness and impact survey on behalf of the City of Edmonton among two Public Awareness and Impact Surveys on behalf of the City of Edmonton.
  • A general public survey distinct target audiences – City of Edmonton residents involved and stakeholders. The general public survey consisted of 400 telephone interviews with residents of the city of Edmonton, between February 88th and 13th, 2005.
  • A mail-out survey was sent to The City of Edmonton mailed out 494 surveys to a broad range of stakeholders the week of February 7th, 2005. A broad range of stakeholders were surveyed, such as community leagues, sports groups, picnic users, and dogs off-leash representatives. Criterion received 123 completed surveys by the March17, 2005, deadline of March 17, 2005 representing a survey completion rate of 25 percent.
  • The accuracy rates of both surveys are 19 times out of 20. The following are key findings:

oImpact of Bylaw Revisions – General Public Survey – A range of 44 percent to 86 percent of general public survey respondents indicate that the various bylaw revisions have no impact on their use and enjoyment of parkland.. The most positively rated revisions are the establishment of fines for specific offences (41 percent positive impact and 54 percent no impact) and the requirement for cyclists to use bells (49 percent positive impact and 45 percent no impact).

oImpact of Bylaw Revisions –- Stakeholder Survey– The majority of stakeholder survey respondents believe the revisions made to the Parkland Bylaw will have a positive impact on the public’s safety in Edmonton’s parkPark system (61 percent positive impact and 23 percent no impact).

oGeneral Comments – Trail Usage –- Regarding the Bylaw revision around increased access to unimproved trails for all trail users including cyclists, 23 percent indicated this would have a positive impact on their use and 64 percent indicated it would have no impact. Twenty-eight percent of respondents felt as though the increased trail access may have a negative impact on the natural environmentenvironments and 48 percent indicated no impacts.

oGeneral Comments – Off-leash Areas –Dogs-31 percent of the general publicGeneral Public surveyed and 22 percent of the stakeholders surveyed feel that having designated off-leash areas positively impact their usage of the parks. This compares to 15 percent of the general public and 14 percent of the stakeholders that feel as though off-leash areas negatively impact their usage of parks.

Public Open House – was held at the Old Timers Cabin on April 20, 2005. Approximately 50 citizens attended this meeting to provide their input tothe Parkland Bylaw. Input received indicated general support of the Parkland Bylaw.

  • This report has been reviewed and is supported by the Trails, Paths and Routes Advisory Committee.
  • Community Services is undertaking the following activities related to the Parkland Bylaw.

EnvironmentalAssessment –Beginning in the fall of 2003, Community Services began to benchmarkEnvironmental Assessment – work to complete the work which began in 2003. Benchmarking environmental conditions in representative areas to determine over time if degradation to the environment or trail surface will occuris effected with the increased trail access. Work with stakeholders is underway to establish an agreed upon Improved Trails Management Plan to establish guidelines when the environmental condition of a trail would warrant the trail being closed for rehabilitation.

oDogs on Parkland - Community Services will continue to work with stakeholders and engage the public to review the existing off-leash program that has been in place since 1991.

oCyclists–Community Services has committed to continue to restrict cyclists on from the unimproved trails within the Buena Vista off-leash site for another year. This will allow for furtherbetter comparison withbetweensimilar off-leash areas that do not restrict cyclists.without the bicycle restriction throughout Edmonton.

oSignage – Community Services will complete the signage study for the River Valley Parks and begin implementation of the recommendations in 2005 and beyond. ItThe plan is expected that much of this work can be applied to neighbourhood, district, and city level parks as well.

  • Stakeholder Involvement - Community Services will continue to work with stakeholder groups, including the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and, the Trails, Paths and Routes Advisory Committee etc. to ensure that the Parkland Bylaw is effective in meeting the needs of citizens.

Background Information Available on Request

  1. Public Open House Information
  2. RiverValley Summer Survey Report
  3. Parkland Bylaw Brochures
  4. RiverValley Signage Study Report
  5. Parkland Bylaw 2202 Public Awareness and Impact and Stakeholder Surveys

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