Recent developments with this project
Tell us what you think about the road construction work
May 6, 2013 - Let us know how well we are managing and communicating the road construction work for the Comox-Helmcken Greenway.
The questionnaire is open until July 5.
Share your views
12 December 2012
City Council approves Comox-Helmcken Greenway. Construction expected early January 2013.
2 November 2012
The survey is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated in the recent public events and our online surveys. A summary report will be posted online prior to the City Council meeting on 11 December 2012.
Open houses
We have incorporated your feedback on the Greenway and now have a detailed design to share with you. Come out to an open house to view the proposed design for Section 1 of the Comox-Helmcken Greenway and provide your comments on the proposed route for Section 2 on:
4 October 2012
West End Community Centre, 12-3 pm
English Bay Room, 870 Denman Street
3 October 2012
Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites, 5-8 pm
Barclay Room, 1763 Comox Street
1 October 2011
Engine 374 Pavilion at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 5-8 pm
181 Roundhouse Mews (entrance from the plaza on Davie Street)
29 September 2012
Mole Hill Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm
Comox Street at Nelson Park (1100 block of Comox Street)
View the maps and related information in the Documents tab.
Reports and documents
Maps and details of the proposed Section 1 design
Section 1 of the Greenway includes Comox and Helmcken streets in the West End (between Stanley Park and Hornby Street), and will be a cycling and walking route.
| Area |
Map with design details |
| Comox Street: Stanley Park to Gilford |
View map |
| Comox Street: Gilford to Bidwell |
View map |
| Comox Street: Bidwell to Nicola |
View map |
| Comox Street: Nicola to Jervis |
View map |
| Comox Street: Jervis to Thurlow |
View map |
| Comox Street: Thurlow to Hornby |
View map |
Maps and details of the proposed section 2 route
Section 2 of the Greenway will be a walking route along Helmcken Street and a cycling route along Hornby and Drake streets that will connect to False Creek and the existing separated bike lanes on Hornby Street.
2040 Transportation Plan
The City’s draft long-term transportation plan Transportation 2040 includes policies and actions to enable: an active and healthy city, a reduction in traffic collisions to support a safe city, an accessible city for people of all ages and abilities, a range of options to help create a more affordable city, a vibrant public realm to foster a lively city, and a resilient city prepared to deal with global issues and unexpected events.
2002 Downtown Transportation Plan
The 2002 Downtown Transportation Plan included recommendations approved by Council to guide development of the Greenway along the preferred route alignment of Comox and Helmcken streets. This was a result of feedback from the community about the quiet, well treed residential character of Comox Street with its important connections to historic Mole Hill and Nelson Park and Yaletown, Seaside Greenway and False Creek Ferries.
Project details
The Greenway is being developed in two sections:
- Section 1: Comox and Helmcken streets in the West End (between Stanley Park and Hornby Street) will be a cycling and walking route and is expected to be constructed in early 2013 if approved by Council in 2012 November.
- Section 2: In Yaletown will be divided into two routes: a walking route along Helmcken Street and a cycling route along Hornby and Drake streets that will connect to False Creek and the existing separated bike lanes on Hornby Street.
Construction date to be determined based on additional public consultation. A detailed design will be shared in early 2013.
Maps with further design details for both sections are available in the Documents tab.
Section 1 proposed design
Comox Street: Stanely Park Drive to Burrard Street
- Improved intersections with corner bulges and curb ramps to provide a shorter and safer crossing as well as places for neighbours to garden, sit and socialize
- Improved sidewalks and lighting
- Traffic restrictions for traffic calming
- Parking restrictions
- Bicycles will share the street with cars except for two blocks where there are higher vehicle volumes and specific requirements for the hotels and hospital (The existing passenger zones will be maintained at the Coast Plaza Hotel, Dr. Peter Centre and St. Paul’s Hospital.)
Burrard Street: Comox Street to Helmcken Street
- The sidewalk will be widened on the east side of Burrard. Cyclists will use some of the sidewalk and will be separated from pedestrians.
- A new traffic signal for the Burrard Street and Comox Street intersection to improve circulation for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles
Helmcken Street: Burrard Street to Hornby Street
- A two-way separated bike lane on the south side of the street to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic
Section 2 proposed route
Helmcken Street: Burrard Street to False Creek (walking route)
Helmcken Street is a street in transition. As the street re-develops we will incrementally improve the walking environment with:
- Buildings setback from the street
- Wider sidewalks
- Street trees
- Pedestrian lighting
- Other amenities to match what has already been improved over the years
- The cycling portion of the route will be along Hornby and Drake.
Hornby Street: Helmcken Street to Drake Street (cycling route)
Since going out for the initial Comox-Helmcken Greenway public consultation in September 2011, the Hornby separated bike lanes were made permanent in June 2012. As a result, the proposed plan will connect to the existing separated bike lanes on Hornby Street.
The walking route will continue to be along Helmcken as envisioned in the initial consultation.
Work leading up to the proposed design plan for Section 1 of the Greenway
The Comox-Helmcken Greenway is part of the City Greenway network, connecting Stanley Park to False Creek. The Greenway route was approved by Council as part of the 2002 Downtown Transportation Plan.
In the fall of 2011, City staff consulted with businesses, seniors, children, youth and others and took into consideration their feedback in the proposed Greenway through open houses, walking tours (guided and self guided), workshops with youth and seniors, a survey, and community and stakeholder meetings. We wanted feedback from people of all ages in order to develop a successful greenway project that would serve the needs of the community and the city as a whole.
In total, 619 people participated in the consultation process:
- 224 residents responded to the survey, which was available online and in hard copy at events.
- Approximately 300 students participated in children and youth workshops.
- 65 seniors participated in the walking tours and seniors workshops.
What we heard during public consultations
The following information was collected at the open houses, workshops, meetings, walking tours and the online survey.
Top five topics from the general public
| Topic |
Description |
| On-street parking |
On-street parking is important to residents. |
| Access to residence, business |
Many residents would like to maintain vehicle access to their front doors while some would like to see streets closed. |
| Less traffic |
Most residents would like to see less traffic on their streets. |
| Change to neighbourhood, streets |
While some residents want their street to remain as is, others would like to see improvements, including a greenway. |
| Separating bikes from traffic and pedestrians |
While some residents are concerned about bike lanes, other want bikes off the sidewalk and safer cycling to school for children. |
Biggest potential concerns
When asked to imagine using the Comox-Helmcken Greenway people ranked the following as their biggest potential concerns:
- Increased pedestrian/ cyclist traffic
- Reduced emergency access
- Traffic impacts on adjacent streets
- Temporary construction impacts
- Project costs
- Landscape maintenance
- Reduced number of vehicle lanes
Features for promoting active lifestyles
When asked to imagine using the Comox-Helmcken Greenway to promote an active lifestyle people ranked the following features as contributing to this vision:
- More people walking and cycling
- Separating cyclists from vehicle traffic
- Trees and gardens
- Less vehicle traffic
- Even sidewalks
Features residents liked along the Comox-Helmcken Greenway
Along Comox: Stanley Park to Burrard:
- Trees
- Gardens
- Mini-parks
- Shade
- Sun
Obstacles for those travelling along the Comox-Helmcken Greenway
Along Comox: Stanley Park to Burrard:
- Vehicle speed
- Parked cars and opening car doors
- Crossing a busy street
- Uneven sidewalks
- Too many cars traveling on the street
- No public toilet facilities
