A critical link in the Spirit Trail traversing the North Shore's waterfront will soon be open, following an agreement between the Squamish Nation and City of North Vancouver.
After two years of negotiations and planning, the band and city inked an agreement last week that will extend the Spirit Trial through Mosquito Creek Marina on Squamish territory and into the Harbourside area where it connects westward to the District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver.
All three North Shore municipalities have been working towards the goal of having the trail go from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove.
"It's been in the works for a long time now. It's one of the most common
questions I'm asked. 'When is the Spirit Trail is going to be finished in the city?' That was one of the most difficult sections," said City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto. "It's going to be as popular as the Stanley Park Seawall. Please quote that. It's a game changer."
Having a waterfront trail friendly to cyclists, pedestrians, inline skaters and people in wheeled mobility aids will open up a whole new way for getting across the city without needing a car, Mussatto said.
This builds on the first section of the trail opened on Squamish land in 2009.
"The Squamish Nation is very pleased to contribute to this greenway which will promote healthier living for all residents of the North Shore," stated Squamish Nation spokesman Chris
Lewis in a press release. "Today's announcement demonstrates that the principles of recognition and respect create the right foundation for real partnerships that produce innovation and shared benefits."
Heading east, from Waterfront Park, the Spirit Trail is still under construction along the central waterfront and Low Level Road into Moodyville Park. Beyond that, a pedestrian/cycling bridge is now under construction over the Third Street hill, allowing the trail to connect to the Park & Tilford shopping area and beyond. The 6.5-kilometres of trail along the city's waterfront should be complete by 2017, according to city staff.
Total cost to the city has been $7.25 million, with senior levels of government, TransLink and developers
chipping in $5.2 million and another $3 million coming from Port Metro Vancouver's portion along Low Level Road.
The city also recently purchased a home at 619 East First St. that was listed for $1.1 million, to be used as a future connection for the trail from the lane below First.
A "significant portion" of the city's share of the trail has been paid for with development cost charges - the $49.29 per squaremetre residential developers pay for new projects, the mayor said.
The District of North Vancouver, meanwhile, has completed its portion of the trail running from Mackay
Road along Welch Street to the Squamish Xwemelch'stn (Capilano 5 Reserve), at a cost of $2.5 million.
The eastern portion of the trail remains a multiyear project with potential routes and funding methods still under consideration. Extending the trail to Deep Cove is expected to cost $25 million.
