Greenways

Greenways are corridors that link parks, agricultural land, forested land, and other greenspace, allowing the movement of animals and people.¹ The establishment of greenways helps to preserve greenspace, shelter wildlife, and create recreational opportunities such as walking, hiking, biking, and roller-blading.

Greenways work best when they are included in the initial planning of a community. Retrofits into existing communities are more difficult because of land ownership, land use, and rights-of-way issues.

The Cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Vancouver are completing a Central Valley Greenway to support the growing network of greenways and urban trails throughout the GVRD.  The City of Victoria Greenways Plan provides a policy framework and a series of strategies to establish a Greenway system throughout the City over the next 50 years.  The Westhills project in the City of Langford has incorporated greenways, for ecological preservation and movement of wildlife.

 

Note:

(1)        Smart Growth BC (2001), The Smart Growth Toolkit, http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm?Group_ID=3383.