Work is progressing on a major trail extension that will run through the City of Delta.
A recent staff report to Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee, the Regional Greenways 2050 Plan Implementation Update, gave the latest on the region’s efforts to advance implementation of the Regional Greenways 2050 plan.
The plan was adopted by the Metro board four years ago and includes the Delta South Surrey Regional Greenway project.
Explaining that advancing the completion of the Regional Greenway Network requires collaborative action by municipal jurisdictions, TransLink, First Nations, Metro Vancouver, other levels of government and regional partners, the report notes that Metro Vancouver has advanced 21 projects under seven implementation roles, often in partnership with municipal jurisdictions.
The report also notes the section of trail to be upgraded between Nordel Way and 72 Avenue is part of the proposed route of the Delta South Surrey Regional Greenway, currently functioning as the access trail to the Delta Nature Reserve and as a utility corridor for Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Services.
Frequent flooding and erosion mean trail upgrades to the section are required, so the design has commenced this year.
The first phase of the regional greenway currently runs from Mud Bay in the south to 64 Avenue at its northern end. Along the way it provides connections to the Boundary Bay dike trail in Delta, Mud Bay Park and Joe Brown Park in Surrey as well as Watershed Park in North Delta.
A future extension would run from 64 Avenue north to the Alex Fraser Bridge, and potentially to the Fraser River.
Last fall, Metro Vancouver hosted a Regional Greenway Network Implementation Forum as part of efforts to facilitate the implementation of the Regional Greenways 2050 plan, the region’s shared vision for a network of recreational multi-use paths for cycling and walking that connects residents to large parks, protected natural areas and communities.
The staff report notes that when forum participants were asked what Metro Vancouver can do to facilitate development of the network, a strong message was received that the regional district should increase its promotion and advocacy of regional greenways, continue and enhance its facilitation, coordination and collaboration activities, and most notably, support enhanced regional capital funding.
