Action needed on speedy drivers in Cheakamus Crossing
I am writing to voice a shared concern amongst Cheakamus Crossing residents surrounding vehicle speed and pedestrian safety.
We are a traffic-calmed neighbourhood with a 30 kilometre/hour sign at the entrance (and each strata has its own posted speed limits as well, I believe). Other than this initial signage when entering the neighbourhood, there is no indication of the speed limit throughout municipal roads.
Although Bayly Park runs along the length of the entire neighbourhood, there is no playground zone signage.
There is a problem with people driving too fast (definitely over 30 km/h) throughout the whole neighbourhood, but it is of particular concern along the strip of Legacy Way between the daycare and hostel, where parents are loading/unloading their children, often having to park on the opposite side of the street because of limited parking.
This area also includes several crosswalks with direct access to Bayly Park.
Although these crosswalks are well marked, some are partially obstructed by landscaping, and drivers are failing to stop for pedestrians.
There are so many children living in our neighbourhood, as well as children that have reason to visit Cheakamus Crossing due to the daycare, gymnastics centre, park, playground, BMX track and soccer fields. Residents are concerned about the safety of these children.
Although the speed limit is already posted at 30 km/h, I do believe that more signage is necessary to remind drivers of the daycare and park nearby.
Keep in mind as well that with the hostel and Athletes' Centre, we get many drivers who are not familiar with the neighbourhood. If these drivers happen to miss that first sign coming into the neighbourhood, they have no way of knowing the speed limit as they drive through. They are also less likely to know that there is a park and daycare along Legacy Way.
I've noticed that there is a school-zone sign in the area around Whistler Children's Centre in Whistler Cay, and don't see any reason why Mountain Minis shouldn't fall under the same regulations.
Raised crosswalks in high-pedestrian traffic areas would also be beneficial to force drivers to slow down as they approach.
There is reason to be concerned that pedestrian safety will become an increasing concern as the population in Cheakamus Crossing rises with new development. I think the following requests are reasonable and necessary to ensure pedestrian safety in our growing neighbourhood:
• 30 km/h signage throughout the neighbourhood—Legacy Way, Cloudburst Drive, Mount Fee Road;
• School zone signs on Legacy Way in the area surrounding Mountain Minis daycare;
• Playground zone signs on Legacy Way for the length of Bayly Park (this could also be extended to Jane Lakes Road);
• Raised crosswalk on Legacy Way at the corner of Mountain Minis Daycare and the Common Park. This crosswalk in particular would also benefit from a button/flashing light similar to the one found at the main crosswalk in Function Junction. Obstructive landscaping should also be removed in the area of this crosswalk;
• Raised crosswalk and/or flashing light at the crosswalk on Legacy Way at Madeley Place.
Lindsey Ataya // Whistler
(Editor's note: This letter was sent to council and is included in the Dec. 17 council package)
Memory for a lifetime
A huge thank-you to both Whistler Adaptive Sports Program Society and Dusty's.My husband Paul has Huntington disease. On Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, Paul was able to, in a sit-ski, "see" the runs he used to ski.
Kudos to the amazing volunteers who enabled this to happen.
He and his son David plus numerous others enjoyed several runs in brilliant sunshine and relatively warm weather.
A gathering at Dusty's completed the spectacular day!
There, with the help of Harri, Dusty's GM, amazing servers Nicole and Ashley and about 50 friends, we celebrated Paul's successful "ski day!" The memories created by so many supportive individuals will not soon be forgotten!
Jane Manning // Vancouver
