More than 1,500 residents have weighed in on pilot road closures in Beacon Hill Park, and it seems opinions are split.
Surveys taken by City of Victoria parks staff last summer show 52 per cent of respondents are unsupportive or very unsupportive of the changes, while 44 per cent of residents are supportive or very supportive of making the changes permanent. Four per cent of respondents were neutral in their opinion.
To strike a balance, parks staff is recommending council approve $120,000 to re-open Bridge Way to one-way traffic with a permanent parallel bike lane, and to install new parking space at the totem pole near Dallas Road. A new multi-use trail and scenic route would also be identified through the park.
Only 11 per cent of survey respondents were under 30 years of age, while 89 per cent were Victoria residents. About half of respondents said they visited the park more than once a week.
Council discusses the report at a governance and priorities committee meeting today.