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.
