Fill in your name/address, copy text into an email or print and mail to CRD at CRDBoard@crd.bc.ca before Nov 26, and please cc’ robin@islandpathways.ca as well as directorssi@crd.bc.ca.
If snail mail, the CRD Regional Parks mailing address is: PO Box 1000, Victoria, BC V8W 2S6. Thank you!
Email Subject: Support: Fulford–Ganges–Vesuvius Multi-Use Pathway (Nov 26 / Dec 10 / Dec 11).
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City/Town], Salt Spring Island, BC
[Postal Code]
Email: [Your Email]
Date: [___]
Regional Parks Committee
Capital Regional District
625 Fisgard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1R6
Dear Members of the Regional Parks Committee,
Re: Fulford–Ganges–Vesuvius Multi-Use Pathway — Preliminary Design & Feasibility Study
My name is [Your Name], a resident of Salt Spring Island. I am writing in strong support of advancing the design and construction of the multi-use pathway linking Fulford Harbour, Ganges Village, and Vesuvius Bay.
This project is long overdue: after more than fifty years of community advocacy, the feasibility study including preliminary design has now been completed. But making the vision real requires moving design work to 2026, not waiting until 2027-28. Every additional year of delay increases construction cost and threatens access to provincial and federal funding.
A separated, three-metre-wide pathway will deliver tangible benefits:
- Economic returns: multi-use trails in BC consistently generate 3-6 times the investment.
- Visitor spending: cycle tourists spend approximately $130/day — significantly boosting our local economy.
- Health and safety: infrastructure like this reduces collisions, lowers healthcare costs, and encourages daily active travel.
- Climate and community: it supports Salt Spring’s mobility and climate goals, and provides inclusive access for all ages and abilities.
I urge the CRD Regional Parks Committee to:
- Approve advancing the design phase to begin in 2026.
- Prioritize technical design work over prolonged outreach, given strong public support (2,000+ signatures in 2020).
- Leverage community fundraising and matching funds (as neighbouring islands have done) to unlock grant opportunities.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to enhancing Salt Spring’s infrastructure, environment, and future. I look forward to supporting this project as it moves into construction and becomes a model for connected, active-transport communities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]