WHAT WE HEARD SUMMARY CONSULTATION REPORT - Planning for the Future of Watkiss Way Park

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• PROJECT OVERVIEW . . . 3
• ENGAGEMENT APPROACH . . . 4
• WHAT WE HEARD . . . 7
  • Overall Themes . . . 7
  • Online Survey . . . 8
  • Open House 1 . . . 15
  • Open House 2 . . . 16
• NEXT STEPS . . . 17
• APPENDIX . . . XVIII
  • Poster . . . xviii
  • Open House Letter . . . xix
  • Social Media . . . xx
  • Display Boards . . . xxi
  • Colouring Page . . . xxx

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

The redevelopment of the property at the corner of Watkiss Way and Burnside Road by BC Transit provided a 1.5-acre linear space along Watkiss Way for the Town of View Royal to create a new neighbourhood park. Early in the parks planning process, the Town of View Royal wanted to hear the neighbourhood’s thoughts about how they would like to see the space designed and used.

Neighbourhood parks are generally small and respond to the open space and recreation needs of local residents. Amenities include passive and active recreation uses and open space. Located in the growing Burnside neighbourhood, the property is close to well-serviced transit routes and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, however there is limited parking available.

A large Capital Regional District water main runs underneath the park and access must be maintained, meaning permanent structures and asphalt cannot be installed. Less “permanent” features like benches, fencing, grass, and community garden plots were possibilities to be explored through public engagement.

The Town has allocated funds in the 2024 Capital Budget for construction.

The engagement process was undertaken from Monday, November 6, 2023 to Friday, November 24, 2023.

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ENGAGEMENT APPROACH

The consultation process was designed in alignment with the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) spectrum and core values. The Phase 1 public engagement plan aimed to engage at the level of “consult”. The promise to the public is “we will keep you informed, listen to, and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision."

Consultation & Engagement Objectives

1. Raise awareness of a new neighbourhood park being planned on Watkiss Way.
2. To provide in-person and online opportunities for the community to learn more and provide input that will inform the planning and design of a new park space.
3. To close the loop with participants and View Royal residents about how public input informed the park design.

Engagement Process

On Monday, November 6, 2023, the Town launched its public engagement process to learn more about the community’s input that will inform potential options for the recently acquired park space along Watkiss Way. The input received will inform the development and use of the park space.

Detailed information was shared through a variety of channels for residents to learn more and provide input.

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Engagement Activities & Timeline

Online engagement methods and in-person opportunities were offered on two different dates and at various times to remove barriers to participation. Light refreshments, children’s activities, dog treats, and an opportunity to win a $10 coffee card to a View Royal coffee shop were offered to encourage participation.

Launch of communications and survey go-live November 6, 2023.

Awareness-raising:

• A detailed project webpage was developed
• A media release was distributed to local media
• Social media posts were shared on Facebook and Twitter throughout the engagement process
• Information was hand-delivered to all residents within the Burnside neighbourhood
• Engagement information was shared in the Town’s e-newsletter
• Outreach to Eagle View Elementary School
• Email to Transit Neighbourhood Working Group
• Email to West Urban (Erskine Lane developer)
• Email to neighbourhood stratas
• Information was shared with BC Transit for their e-newsletter
• Posters were distributed throughout the neighbourhood

Input methods:

• A children’s colouring poster was developed to invite youth participation
• An Open House was held at Eagle View Elementary on Thursday, November 16, 2023
• A second open-air Open House was held in the park space on Saturday, November 18, 2023
• An online survey was launched with a dedicated URL www.viewroyal.ca/futurewatkisswaypark
• A dedicated project email was created

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Engagement by the numbers

Over 286 people participated in the process:

• 206 online survey participants
• 26 attendees at indoor open house
• 54 attendees at on-site open house

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WHAT WE HEARD

Overall Themes

• Survey respondents and attendees at both the open houses indicated a preference for recreation / play on open grassy areas (e.g., running, playing frisbee or catch) and quiet activities (e.g. reading, sitting, visiting) over off-leash dog activities and community gardening.
• Seating, natural/native gardens, pollinator gardens and play equipment were the preferred features in the new space.
• While some expressed a desire for off-leash dog areas, some others felt strongly opposed to using the park for off-leash dogs.
• Some respondents that noted the proximity of the park to the Galloping Goose and the school indicated an interest in seeing amenities for cyclists and walkers e.g. water fountains, washrooms, as well as students e.g. outdoor and hands-on learning opportunities, Indigenous involvement.
• Many noted a desire for natural or timber like materials to be used in the park, particularly with regard to play (e.g., split rail fencing, natural/wood play equipment)
• Many envision the park hosting a blend of activities and features – e.g. expressing multiple activities or features in the park, not for the exclusive use of any one group
• Some - especially those living in closer proximity to the park - had concerns about traffic safety, noise, and fear that the park would be used for unwanted activities e.g., sheltering by unhoused person, drug use.
• While some felt the park will require routine maintenance and that it might assist in addressing concerns, some noted concern about maintenance costs.
• Social media, hand-delivered notices and the Town website were the most mentioned ways of keeping people informed.

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Online Survey

206 people completed the online survey between November 6 and November 24, 2023.

What We Heard in the Online Survey

Question #1 – Do you live in View Royal?

• Yes: 169 (82%)
• No: 37 (18%)

Those who lived outside of View Royal were from:

• Saanich: 15 (43%)
• Colwood: 5 (14%)
• Esquimalt: 4 (11%)
• Victoria: 4 (11%)
• Langford: 3 (9%)
• Highlands: 1 (3%)
• Oak Bay: 1 (3%)
• Sooke: 1 (3%)
• Maple Bay: 1 (3%)

Most respondents who lived outside of View Royal were from Saanich.

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Question #2 – How close do you live to the park?

• 2 minutes: 38 (18.8%)
• 5 minutes: 34 (16.8%)
• 10 minutes: 23 (11.4%)
• 15 minutes: 53 (26.2%)
• Too far to walk / likely drive: 54 (26.7%)

73% of respondents lived within a 15-minute walk of Watkiss Way Park.

Question #3 – What is your age?

• 13 or under: 1 (0.5%)
• 14-18: 0 responses
• 19-29: 12 (5.8%)
• 30-49: 85 (41.3%)
• 50-64: 55 (26.7%)
• 65+: 53 (25.7%)

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Question #4 – Do you rent or own?

• Rent: 26 (12.62%)
• Own: 178 (86.41%)
• Live with Parents: 2 (0.97%)

Questions #5 – Do you, or anyone in your household, have any barriers to accessibility?

• Yes: 36 (17.6%)
• No: 166 (81.4%)
• No Response: 2 (0.98%)

Those who noted accessibility barriers, noted: mobility, cognitive and sight.

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Question #6 – What are your hopes for this space? Respondents described a park that:

• Includes green space, gardens and trees (i.e. canopy, shade, bird and bug habitat)
• Offers a space where people and dogs can co-exist
• Includes seating (e.g. benches and picnic tables)
• Offers a gathering place for families, neighbours and trail users
• Is inclusive and accessible

Question #7 – What activities do you envision in this park space?

• Recreation / Play on open grassy areas (e.g., running, playing frisbee or catch): 126
• Quiet activities (e.g., reading, sitting, visiting): 121
• Community gardening: 71
• Off-leash dog activity: 49

A variety of other activities were suggested by some, including playground, water park, bike track, pickleball and tennis, water fountain and items that support community gatherings (e.g., food trucks, games, covered shelter space, picnic tables).

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Question #8 – What features might you like to see in the space?

The most preferred features for the new space are [in order]:

• Seating
• Play equipment
• Natural/native gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Bird habitat (e.g., trees, birdhouses)

The least preferred features are ornamental gardens and interpretative signage.

“Other” features mentioned include water fountain, picnic tables, fruit-bearing trees, portable or permanent washrooms, pickleball/tennis courts.

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Question # 9 – Do you have any concerns about the new park?

• No concerns: 151 (73%)
• Have concerns: 55 (27%)

73% of respondents noted no concerns.

Of those with concerns, the top concerns were:

• Proximity to road, traffic
• Unwanted activities (sheltering, vandalism, drug use)
• Potential off leash dog activities
• Loss of natural or green space due to other uses

Fencing, routine maintenance, and enforcement were seen as potential ways of addressing some concerns.

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Question # 10 – How best to keep you informed as planning continues? Select all that apply.

Question # 11 – Is there anything more you would like to add? Several respondents expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the process. Many reiterated desired features and concerns as noted previously.

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Open House 1

Thursday, November 16, 2023

At the Open House held at Eagle View Elementary, participants viewed a series of informational boards and spoke to staff and consultants onsite. Interactive display boards invited attendees to answer a series of questions. A children’s activity table included parks colouring posters and markers.

What We Heard At The Open House

What are your hopes for this space?

• Benches for visiting
• Green space, native vegetation, pollinator gardens
• Increased lighting
• Open space
• Activities such as outdoor workout equipment, zip line, and swings

What activities can you envision in this park space? Quiet Activities (e.g., reading, sitting and visiting) and Recreation/Play on open Grassy Areas (e.g. running, playing frisbee or catch) were the activities indicated most.

Other suggestions included:

• Pollinator garden and bees
• Indigenous garden and Indigenous involvement

What specific features might you like to see in the new park space? Seating, grassy open space and play equipment were the features most preferred by attendees.

Other suggestions included:

• Indigenous history, stories, culture, flora
• Bike racks

Do you have any concerns about the new park space? Concerns were related to sheltering in the park, dog impacts, maintenance costs, littering, and traffic/parking impacts.

How might they be addressed?

• Fencing
• Increased lighting

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Open House 2

Saturday, November 18, 2023

At the Open House at the park site, participants viewed a series of informational boards and spoke to staff and consultants onsite. Interactive display boards invited attendees to answer a series of questions. Participants had the opportunity to walk around and sit in the park space.

What We Heard At The Open House

What are your hopes for this space?

• Benches for visiting
• Green space, trees and native plants
• Natural wood play structures
• Bird habitat

What activities can you envision in this park space? Quiet Activities (e.g., reading, sitting and visiting) and Recreation/Play on open Grassy Areas (e.g. running, playing frisbee or catch) were the activities indicated most.

Other suggestions included:

• Pollinator garden and bees
• Indigenous garden and Indigenous involvement
• Natural and pollinator gardens
• Skate Park and basketball court
• Path paved for trikes, skateboards, scooters (e.g., Rutledge Park in District of Saanich)

What specific features might you like to see in the new park space? Seating, native or natural gardens and bird habitat were the features most preferred by attendees. Natural or timber type furniture or play equipment was also noted by several at open house #2.

Do you have any concerns about the new park space?

• Off-leash dog park
• Increased noise in the area
• Increased garbage in the area
• Steep slope
• Maintenance costs and needs

How might they be addressed?

• Fencing
• Dog-free zone

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NEXT STEPS

The input collected in this public engagement process will inform options for the development of the Watkiss Way Park. This summary report of the public consultation will be posted on the Town of View Royal website in early 2024.