Residents could soon have an easier time accessing one of two parks in Bradford’s Summerlyn Village neighbourhood.
Despite a report from the town’s transportation technologist Paul Dubniak recommending otherwise, the strategic initiatives committee recommended council approve two new all-way stops on the north and south of Isabella Parkette, during the committee’s Jan. 28 meeting.
Those are planned to be three-way stops at the intersections where Sundragon Trail meets Wandering Glider Trail and Citrine Drive, which Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano (who represents the area) hopes will help, as he estimated about 3,500 people access the park, which is surrounded by neighbourhood streets.
“That would give all the kids a chance to cross into and out of the park,” he said.
The new stops were chosen even though Dubniak recommended crosswalks instead. He noted in his report that just one of the three requirements based on traffic speeds and volumes was met for only one of the two intersections under the town’s traffic mitigation strategy (TMS). All three requirements would normally need to be met under the TMS. Dubniak previously warned the committee that wouldn’t happen when the topic last arose at their Nov. 26 meeting.
At this week’s meeting, Giordano noted the issue had already been discussed at the town’s previous traffic committee before it was rolled into the strategic initiatives committee, and the stops signs were already recommended by the new committee at their Nov. 26 meeting, with the request that staff report back on how to best implement them.
That followed the desire to mirror the configuration already used around the Summerlyn Parkette, something Giordano previously called a “common-sense solution,” as the parks are nearly identical and only a little more than a .5-kilometre straight-line distance apart.
However, unlike the Summerlyn Parkette, which is bordered by one-way streets on the east and west sides, Isabella Parkette has two-way streets on all four sides.
Giordano felt it would be “overkill” to use the one-way design around Isabella Parkette, which is why he was “happy” with the three-way stop option to finally address the issue he said residents have been raising for years.
“I’m asking for everyone’s support on that, please,” he said.
His colleagues obliged with both Ward 3 Coun. Ben Verkaik and Ward 7 Coun. Peter Dykie agreeing the well-used park merits better traffic control and Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine noting residents who drive by both parks wonder why one is treated differently.
“This stop sign needs to go forward,” Ward 6 Coun. Nickolas Harper said.
The committee voted unanimously in favour of recommending the three-way stops, which Dubniak estimates will cost about $10,000 to be funded from the 2025 community safety and traffic congestion budget.
Recommendations from the strategic initiatives committee are considered for approval at the next regular council meeting.