Memorial and Hirst Avenues Project

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Consultation has concluded

The Hirst and Memorial capital upgrades are complete. The City is extremely proud of this project and to see the vision for Memorial and Hirst Avenues reflect the community’s wishes while honouring the history of Memorial Avenue.

The Hirst and Memorial capital upgrades are complete. The City is extremely proud of this project and to see the vision for Memorial and Hirst Avenues reflect the community’s wishes while honouring the history of Memorial Avenue.

Consultation has concluded
  • Memorial Avenue and Plaza Designated as Sensitive Area

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    July 20, 2023

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    Parksville Council has amended the “Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw, 2016, No. 1523” to include Memorial Avenue Plaza, from the intersection at McMillan Street to the edge of Alberni Highway as a sensitive area where temporary shelter and overnight accommodation are not permitted. The amendment received final approval at a special Council meeting on July 20.

    This amendment adds Memorial Avenue to other designated sensitive areas where overnight accommodation or camping is prohibited. These sensitive areas include the Parksville Wetlands, municipal wells and railway corridor, Springwood Park and municipal wells, Parksville Community Park, and the upland area designated in Plan Parksville as the Coastal Protection Development Permit Area No. 11.

    With this change, the City will now begin the process of implementing the bylaw through education, enhanced security, new signage, and compliance and enforcement. The City bylaw compliance department and the Oceanside Detachment RCMP will work closely together to ensure the provisions of the bylaw are followed.

    BACKGROUND
    In 2015, a BC Supreme Court decision provided clarification to municipalities on the regulation of overnight camping in public spaces by people who are experiencing homelessness. The court indicated people who are homeless have a constitutional right to erect temporary shelter on public lands from 7 pm on one day until 9 am the following morning. The rights are not absolute, and municipalities have the legislative power to regulate, and balance uses and activities in public spaces. Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states, Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.” City’s bylaws were developed to be consistent with court decisions.

    REFERENCES

    City Information Release July 7, 2023
    Regulation of Overnight Camping in Public Spaces March 2016
    Addressing Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw April 2016
    Homelessness and Overnight Accommodation in Parksville February 2016
    Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw, 2016, No. 1523

  • Council to Designate Memorial Plaza as Sensitive Area

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    July 7, 2023

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    At the meeting on July 5, Parksville Council approved the following resolution:

    That staff immediately commence the statutory process to amend City of Parksville “Park and Open Spaces Bylaw, 2016, No. 1523” to define the Memorial Avenue Plaza, from the intersection at McMillan Street to the edge of Alberni Highway and add this defined area to the Sensitive Area designation, where temporary shelter and overnight accommodation are not permitted.

    The amendment to the existing bylaw will be provided to Council for their consideration at the July 17 meeting with final adoption anticipated shortly thereafter. The City’s Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw, adopted by Council in 2016, regulates the use of parks and City owned open spaces, and includes regulations pertaining to overnight accommodation in public spaces.

    Memorial Avenue, one of the oldest streets in Parksville, is a living monument to Parksville’s fallen World War I soldiers. The original century-old memorial elm trees were planted in 1922 and 100 years later, with nine newly planted trees, the Memorial Plaza opened in 2022 as an exciting public space and a key component of the City’s downtown revitalization strategy. Memorial Avenue continues to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in conflict.

    Parksville Mayor and Council have been advised the current use of Memorial Avenue and the public square for overnight accommodation has negatively impacted the space, resulting in damage and vandalism to trees, light poles, the drinking fountain, benches and private property directly adjacent to the plaza, deterring people from the intended use of the space. Council has received many complaints from residents, business owners and visitors citing land use conflicts arising from shelters being erected in the space and the blocking of pathways and pedestrian traffic flow through the site. Public health and safety are being impacted due to the presence of significant volumes of human waste and bodily fluids, causing frequent closures to allow specialized hazmat companies to clean the area. It is no longer sustainable for the RCMP and the City’s bylaw and fire department resources to attend the space regularly throughout the day and the volume of calls for service are no longer manageable.

    As a first step to preserving Memorial Avenue as a safe and clean space for cultural and community events, Council approved amending the bylaw to include this street and the public square as a Sensitive Area. The Parksville Community Park, Springwood Park and the municipal well fields, City-owned lands along the oceanfront and Foster Park (40 metre setback from playground) are examples of sensitive lands where the City is justified in prohibiting overnight accommodation by anyone in these areas.

    During the statutory process to amend the bylaw, the City’s bylaw compliance officers will work to educate those using the space for overnight camping advising that a bylaw change is imminent.

    BACKGROUND

    In 2015, a BC Supreme Court decision provided clarification to municipalities on the regulation of overnight camping in public spaces by people who are homeless. The court indicated people who are homeless have a constitutional right to erect temporary shelter on public lands from 7 pm on one day until 9 am the following morning. The rights are not absolute, and municipalities have the legislative power to regulate and balance uses and activities in public spaces. Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”

    The City’s bylaws were developed to be consistent with the court’s decisions.

    REFERENCES

    Regulation of Overnight Camping in Public Spaces March 2016
    Addressing Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw April 2016
    Homelessness and Overnight Accommodation in Parksville February 2016

  • Memorial Plaza Now Open for Public Use

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    July 6, 2022

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    The Hirst and Memorial capital upgrades are now complete. The City is extremely proud of this project and to see the vision for Memorial and Hirst Avenues reflect the community’s wishes while honouring the history of Memorial Avenue. The official opening of the Memorial Plaza was held on July 5 which showcased this new public space, a key component of the City’s downtown revitalization strategy. Hirst Avenue West improvements are significant and Memorial Avenue was transformed from primarily a vehicle corridor to a people place with the addition of the Memorial Plaza.

    Memorial Plaza is a new 13,800 square foot public space, a dynamic new venue for residents, visitors, businesses, and community organizations to celebrate and experience Parksville Downtown. Historic Memorial Avenue now features a new streetscape with one-way vehicle traffic eastbound on Memorial Avenue with improved irrigation and growing conditions for the memorial trees as well as new street trees on Hirst Avenue West. A portion of this $4 million upgrades project was funded through the Federal Gas Tax Fund and ICBC.

    Memorial Avenue, one of the oldest streets in Parksville, is a living monument to Parksville’s fallen World War I soldiers. The original century-old memorial elm trees were planted in 1922 and now 100 years later, with nine newly planted trees, Memorial Avenue continues to honour the memory of the men who lost their lives.

    The City thanks the businesses on Hirst and Memorial for your patience during construction. Details about the Memorial and Hirst avenues upgrades project may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville.

  • Memorial Plaza to Open on July 5

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    June 15, 2022

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    The City of Parksville invites residents to the official opening of Memorial Plaza on Tuesday, July 5 from 5 pm to 6 pm. The Memorial Plaza, part of the Hirst Avenue West and Memorial Avenue upgrades project, is a new 13,800 square foot public space, a dynamic new venue for residents, visitors, businesses, and community organizations to celebrate and experience Parksville Downtown.

    Completed just in time for summer, the improvements to Hirst and Memorial avenues are components of the City’s downtown revitalization strategy. Historic Memorial Avenue will feature a new streetscape with one-way vehicle traffic eastbound on Memorial Avenue with improved irrigation and growing conditions for the memorial trees as well as new street trees on Hirst Avenue West. A portion of this upgrades project was funded through the Federal Gas Tax Fund and ICBC.

    Following the official ceremony to dedicate the plaza, music and cupcakes, we hope residents will enjoy a visit to the Summer by the Sea Street Market on Craig Street, just across Alberni Highway. The market is open 6 to 9 pm.

    Memorial Avenue, one of the oldest streets in Parksville, is a living monument to Parksville’s fallen World War I soldiers. The original century-old memorial elm trees were planted in 1922 and now 100 years later, Memorial Avenue will continue to honour the memory of the men who lost their lives with new elm trees to be planted this year.

    Quote from Mayor Ed Mayne
    “With this project, Memorial Avenue is transformed from a primarily vehicular corridor to a true people place, complementing the vision for Parksville’s downtown to encourage increased use by residents and visitors and support economic activity.”

    Details about the Memorial and Hirst avenues project may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville.

  • Memorial and Hirst Avenues Upgrades Project Update

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    May 19, 2022

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    The project team is excited to report the new four-way stop is now installed on the Alberni Highway at its intersection with Hirst Avenue West. This four-way stop is a recommendation of the City’s 2016 Transportation Master Plan and replaces the old two-way stop and turning restrictions. With the newly installed four-way stop, drivers are permitted to turn any direction, and pedestrian crossing opportunities are improved by requiring vehicles to stop before entering the intersection.

    Along with the new four-way stop, new pavement and road markings were also installed on the Alberni Highway at Hirst Avenue West and at Memorial Avenue. Memorial Avenue is next on the list for paving, but first, crews must finish the concrete for curbs, sidewalks, and Memorial Plaza. As spring progresses, you’ll start to see some new landscaping features on Hirst Avenue West, including gardens, planter baskets, and trees.

    With paving, concrete, air spading, and overhead utility removals, it is a busy day on site – great to see with the nice weather. The project team is excited to see these finishing touches come together and these projects completed soon – we hope you are too!

  • Memorial and Hirst Avenues Project Update

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    Wednesday, May 11

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    Paving work started as planned early yesterday morning, with Hirst Avenue West (Hirst) from McMillan Street South to the Alberni Highway receiving its final pavement layer. Road markings have also been installed on this newly paved section of Hirst.

    Unfortunately, due to a mechanical breakdown, the four-way stop installation and paving on the Alberni Highway at Hirst Avenue West will have to wait. We’ve tentatively scheduled this work near the end of May pending cooperative weather conditions.

    Crews are also taking advantage of good weather whenever possible, including over weekends, to pour more concrete in the new Memorial Plaza and along Memorial Avenue sidewalks. After one of the rainiest Aprils on City record, the project team has been working hard to install concrete at every opportunity. The concrete works include patterned concrete panels and concrete benches, which reflect the organic shapes of the 100-year-old memorial trees. Memorial Plaza is really starting to take shape!





  • Memorial and Hirst Avenues Project Update

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    April 28, 2022

    On May 10 starting at 4 am, crews will begin paving and installing a four-way stop on the Alberni Highway at Hirst Avenue West as part of the Memorial and Hirst Avenues Upgrades Project. Paving will also be performed on the Alberni Highway at Memorial Avenue and on Hirst Avenue West from the Alberni Highway to McMillan Street South. To accommodate this work, single ­lane alternating traffic on the Alberni Highway and a temporary road closure on Hirst Avenue West at the Alberni Highway will be in effect for periods between 4 am to 5 pm; please avoid this area during this time.

    This four-way stop is a recommendation of the City of Parksville’s 2016 Transportation Master Plan and replaces a two-way stop on Hirst Avenue West at the Alberni Highway. Currently, only right turns are allowed from eastbound Hirst Avenue West. The new four-way stop will allow all turning movements and facilitate safer pedestrian crossings.

    For more information:

    Ayla DeFoor, AScT
    ADefoor@parksville.ca


  • Memorial and Hirst Avenues Project Update

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    April 11, 2022

    Work in Parksville’s historic downtown kept the project team on their toes when an abandoned dug well was discovered in the parking lot between Memorial Avenue and Hirst Avenue West (146 Memorial Avenue). After closing the area to all but essential personnel, Knappett Industries carefully excavated the water, historic bottles, and an old pump to find the extents of the dug well. Serving as the project engineer, McElhanney promptly provided professional direction to safely decommission the well, including completing a formal registration with the BC well registry, filling the well with bentonite clay, and capping the well with concrete.

    Despite surprises like the abandoned well, work on the project is quickly progressing. Hirst Avenue West now has concrete sidewalks, with more landscaping finishes and the final layer of asphalt to follow. Concrete works will follow on Memorial Avenue and in the new Memorial Plaza. Soon the plaza will take shape with design details such as patterned and coloured concrete.

    With spring in the air, the project team is looking forward to sharing this space with you. Please remain patient with crews and traffic control personnel on site as they work towards completion on both downtown streets.

  • Parking Lot Closure

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    February 16, 2022

    The public parking lot at 146 Memorial Avenue will be closed until completion of the Memorial and Hirst Avenues upgrades project.

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  • Memorial and Hirst Avenues Project Update

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    February 3, 2022

    The contractor, Knappett Industries, will begin expanding their work in the parking lot between Memorial Avenue and Hirst Avenue West starting February 9, requiring its closure to the public. This parking lot will be closed to the public until the end of construction, anticipated to be this spring. Local access along Memorial Avenue will be maintained when possible, but if you can access your destination via Harrison Avenue or Hirst Avenue West, please do. The finished parking lot design will include parking, through-traffic, pedestrian facilities, landscaping, and street lighting. These features are rendered at MemorialAve.ca on the Future tab.

    In the new year, Knappett Industries crews installed new underground utilities on Memorial Avenue, including the stormwater and sanitary sewer mains and services to private properties. They’ve been working to locate and connect the old services, many of which are obscured by the memorial tree roots. To work around these roots safely, a professional arborist is on site regularly monitoring works and has provided thorough working procedures to protect the health of the memorial trees through construction and beyond.

    Sidewalks on Hirst Avenue West are planned for completion after Telus and BC Hydro complete their work on several poles and overhead wires in the vicinity. Irrigation installation has begun on Hirst Avenue West and will also be completed before the sidewalks are installed.