The Vision Thing

While the initiative to redevelop the Hamilton waterfront remains in the news, it’s not the only part of the Island being considered for a facelift.

The Bermuda End-To-End and the Parks Department today announced that they’re looking for public input to the Vision Project for the protection and enhancement of the Bermuda Railway Trail.

“We've been working with consultants from the Rails to Trails Conservancy to catalogue and propose remedies to the fundamental problems facing the Trail today, and to build a vision for its future enhancement,” says chairman of the Vision project team Stephen Davidson. “As the Railway Trail is the only park that impacts most communities in Bermuda, it's essential to get people's input, ideas, and enthusiasm behind its evolution.”

To that end, the charity is staging several open house exhibits on the Trail next week, along with presentations from the Parks Department and the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Further details are available here.

Suggestions can also be left as comments here or emailed to me to pass on.

Comments

[Stephen on 13.01.05 at 12:39]

The Railway Trail is Bermuda's back yard - most local kids have memories of riding bikes along it or rummaging for loquats and cherry in the bushes.

With the additional pressure on open space in Bermuda, we need to protect the Trail. There's a long list of minor projects that need to be done to bring the trail to consistent, safe condition alongs it's length. And then there are vision projects such as restoring the "breaks" in the Trail, replacing footbridges, and improving trailheads and access.

The impact is huge - even in its current condition, the Trail is heavily used by locals and tourists alike for exercise/health and recreation. The goal is to improve the Trail, consistent with the high quality of Bermuda's other Parks, but to retain its essential rural nature.

Of course, addressing the needs of the Trail will have a budgetary impact. This project will help map out the vision and potential costs, so the projects can be evaluated for public benefit or alternative sources of funding may be found.

So if you want more places to walk or ride your bike away from traffic, now's the time to make your voice heard. What are the issues you see? What ideas do you have? How do you use the Trail?

[Anon with reason on 14.01.05 at 20:09]

Stephen, is the public being invited to volunteer in the reconstruction & repair of the trail? If so, where should they sign up?

[Stephen on 14.01.05 at 21:42]

One of the outcomes of the project is to form a "Friends of the Railway Trail" group, with several goals: to encourage volunteerism on the Trail (including cleanups etc), to serve as a conduit for philanthropy for capital projects on the Trail, and to continue to lobby on Trail issues ... as this will certainly be a multiyear project. This will be discussed at the sessions next week.

And if nothing else, pick up a bottle or two next time you walk on the Trail!

Hope to see you next week!

[curtis linnell on 17.01.05 at 15:20]

the traffic that speeds 80 cc and ocasionally cars including the police must stop ,i live on the trail in sandys inbeetween lantana and the mott property ,i would like to help in anyway i can, i already look out for trash and other undesirables.

[Karen on 18.01.05 at 15:47]

I work in Sandys and regularly walk on the railway trail. Today I was nearly knocked down twice by speeding bikes, which is a regular occurrence. There are few places in Sandys where you can walk without the hazards of traffic, the trail should be one of them. Block it off to all motorized vehicles (including bikes) so that people may enjoy exercising in peace and safety.

[The Lorax on 19.01.05 at 00:47]

I know there is a link embedded in the text there but it's not so clear just WHEN and WHERE exactly the open house is so I thought I'd make it clear just in case some people are a bit blind like me (I didn't see it at first).

"The consultations will take place at the Visitor Centre in the Botanical Gardens, Paget
on the following days.

Thursday, 20th January 2005
Open House 2.00 p.m-6.00 p.m.
Presentations at 6:00 p.m. & 7:15 p.m.

Friday 21st January 2005
Open House 10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Saturday, 22nd January 2005
Open House 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Presentations at 11:00 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.

For further information please contact Mr. Drew Pettit (Bermuda Government Park Planner) on 236-5902 ext. 2335.

L.

[Stephen on 26.01.05 at 21:14]

The Railway Trail events last week attracted excellent feedback and ideas. There's still an opportunity to make your voice heard by downloading the brief survey (PDF) from:

http://www.bermudaendtoend.bm/pdf/RailwayTrailSurvey.pdf

When completed, the survey may be sent to:

BY MAIL:
Mr. Drew Pettit, Park Planner, Parks Department, Parks Office, #169 South Road Paget, DV04, Bermuda

BY FAX:
441-236-3711