Thetis Lake Park trail users are being detoured down a strata neighbourhood road in Langford, parking vehicles in prohibited areas and blocking driveways.
The situation, brought about by a residential construction project on Phelps Avenue, has at least one resident fed up. The site at 300 Phelps Ave. is temporarily closed to the public and detour signs are up redirecting trail users down Nicki Place, which does offer trail access to the park.
“It’s a mess,” said Tony Jennings, who added that traffic has exponentially increased on his road since the signs were installed.
No parking signs clearly mark Nicki Place, and vehicles on the street block driveways, said Jennings. He’s had to chase trail users down to get them to move their vehicles, which are often parked in the middle of the street, he said.
“It’s just rude. It’s just bad manners,” he said, especially since there is another trail head just down the road off Phelps.
Last year, council approved a rezoning to allow for a multifamily development on 300 Phelps Ave. Included in the terms and conditions was a stipulation that the owner realign and reconstruct a trail to the satisfaction of the City’s parks manager prior to building permits being issued.
Langford’s director of planning Matthew Baldwin said the City considered all options and felt Nicki Place was the best alternative for a temporary trail route and said there is a right-of-way across Nicki Place which allows for public access.
He emphasized the detour is just temporary and any concerns regarding illegal parking can be addressed to the City’s bylaw enforcement division for possible action.
The approval of the trail access through 300 Phelps Ave. is being considered in conjunction with the subdivision approval.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
