Summer 2017 Newsletter

The Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation (KCAT) newsletter is distributed 3-4 times per year to inform and inspire people in Kingston about active transportation (AT), including ways to increase opportunities to help make AT more efficient, convenient, accessible, affordable, attractive and safer for users of all ages and abilities. AT refers to any human powered mode of travel including walking, cycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, running and getting around aided by walker or wheelchair, and using public transit.

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“The reality about transportation is that it is future oriented.
If we are planning for what we have, we are behind the curve.” Anthony Foxx

Take the Commuter Challenge June 4 – 10, 2017

For the past five years Kingston has earned first place in the Commuter Challenge national competition for a city its size! All active commuters, both current and new, can help Kingston stay in first place by registering for the 2017 Commuter Challenge! Commuter Challenge takes place June 4 to 10, 2017.

The aim of Commuter Challenge is to encourage as many people as possible to “ditch the car” for one week and take a more sustainable form of transportation (e.g. cycling, walking, transit, carpool etc.) for daily commute and weekly errands. Any sustainable transportation counts! As people track their active commutes on the national Commuter Challenge website we see the total kilometres traveled, litres of fuel saved and reduction in our carbon footprint!

Whether you are an experienced active commuter or you are just beginning to walk, cycle, take transit or carpool in your daily commute, make sure to register to participate in the Commuter Challenge. There is no cost to participate. Once registered, you will be eligible to win great prizes and will support the City of Kingston in the national Commuter Challenge competition.

Grand prizes includes your choice of a new bicycle or one-year bus pass

Active Transportation Master Plan Update (ATMP) – “Walk ‘n’ Roll”

OPEN HOUSE # 2. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, 6 to 9 p.m.
Open House at 6 p.m. Workshop starts at 6:45 p.m. Memorial Hall, Kingston City Hall (216 Ontario Street)The goal of the session will be:

For the City to present:
– Alternative solutions and strategies and how these are being evaluated;
– The draft Active Transportation Network and proposed facility types; and
– Seek input on phasing, implementation, specific recommendations and strategies.

For the public to provide input on:
– The draft vision and policies for promoting active transportation;
– The proposed draft network of sidewalks, bicycle facilities, walkways and trails; and
– Phasing, implementation, specific recommendations and strategies.

Walk ‘n’ Roll Kingston is the City’s master plan for leading to 20% of all travel occurring via active modes of transportation. How do we build a City that makes active transportation a top choice for walking, cycling, or wheeling to city destinations? Share your ideas to get Kington on the move.

See the public feedback from the Community Forum and Workshop #1 and the Survey results.
Email ideas to walkroll@cityofkingston.ca

Official Opening of the K & P Trail

On June 10 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m., join in the celebration of the completion of the K&P Trail. This project includes adding 6.4 kilometres of trail to the K&P Trail that leads from Douglas Fluhrer Park to Binnington Court with 2.9 kilometres on road and 3.5 kilometres off road.

Ribbon Cutting – 11 a.m.

Dedication of a park bench to Douglas Knapp

K&P Ballad sung by Roger James

Vendors will be set up along the trail beginning in Douglas Fluhrer Park. Pick up a ballot at the City of Kingston information table and enter to win prizes. Utilities Kingston Water Buggy will be in Douglas Fluhrer Park.

The City will provide complimentary hot dogs and drinks to the first 200 attendees.

Learn about turtles, make a craft or learn about the history of the K&P Railway.

Fill in a ballot for a chance to win a Wellness Pass offering full use of the facilities and drop-in fitness and aqua fit classes at both the INVISTA Centre and the Artillery Park Aquatic Centre.

There will be hands-on rowing demos with Kingston Rowing Club. Try the erg machines, chat with the Queen’s Rowing Team, tour of the club’s boathouse and hear the stories of the club’s Olympians and 40-year history in Kingston.

Ahoy Rentals will be set up in Douglas Fluhrer Park with 10 bicycles available for FREE of charge to bike the new section of the K&P Trail. Due to anticipated demand the time for rental will be limited to a 2 hour period for each person and bikes will be available first-come, first-serve.

Or learn how to start urban poling with Fit to the Core Urban Poling – master trainer Kari Galasso will guide you through some short demos.

Learn about the K & P Trail.

Kingston Penitentiary/Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Visioning

Workshop #4 was held on Thursday, June 1, 2017. A recommended vision for the future of the former Kingston Penitentiary and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour was presented for public review and comment. Active transportation pathways and public access have been identified as a key elements, including continuous public access along the shoreline and harbour. The recommendations will be formally presented to Kingston City Council on July 11, 2017.

Recommended Vision

Kingston designated a Walk Friendly Community – Bronze

WALK Friendly Communities is a recognition program that encourages municipalities to create and improve spaces and places to walk by awarding Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum designations. Using a comprehensive framework of indicators for walkability, municipalities can benchmark their current status and measure progress over time. The program gives walking a prominent profile in community planning and design, and encourages municipal governments to set targets for ongoing improvements. As communities strive to achieve higher awards, the built environment is transformed to support safe, sustainable and independent mobility.

The City of Kingston, ON was recently designated a Bronze WALK Friendly Community. Read Kingston’s WALK Friendly profile here.

Rideau Trail Association – Kingston Club

The Rideau Trail is a 387 km network of interconnected hiking trails between the City of Kingston and the City of Ottawa located in the general area of the Rideau Canal and its tributary waters. The Rideau Trail Association is an active charitable organization that maintains and champions the Rideau Trail and arranges self-propelled outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the trail and in nearby areas, through an engaged core of members and volunteers.

Rideau Trail Association of Kingston provides hikes led by qualified hike leaders throughout the week and on week-ends. Join a hike at no charge, and consider joining the club for a cost of $25 per person or $40 for a household membership for the year. For further information on the club and for a list of upcoming hikes throughout June and August.