OAK BAYNEWS NEWS
COMMUNITY
Captain Causton
Personal stories
Former mayor Christopher Causton finds new job as a harbour ferry captain.
Shelters, rehabilitation centres release commemorative poetry book. Page A6
Page A3 Friday, August 10, 2012
Watch for breaking news at www.oakbaynews.com
Sharing secrets Oak Bay’s hidden passages need signage, say some residents Christine van Reeuwyk News staff
A surprise under the hood
When signs say no exit, it generally refers to vehicles. The city is criss-crossed with pathways and trails leading from dead end residential streets connecting to major destinations like parks and schools. In Oak Bay, they hope to reveal these cul-de-sac secrets. At the topmost edge of the community, a walkway winds behind a home from Kendal Avenue to the Mt. Tolmie reservoir. Unmarked and unknown, it could easily connect cyclists and pedestrians to Mt. Tolmie Park, without using busy roads like Richmond and Cedar Hill Cross, says Lesley Ewing. “A lot of people don’t know there are ways to get through here,” she said. “It’s an easy, pleasant way to get to a pleasant view.” A member of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Ewing figures signage could get folks out and using the cul-de-sac roads that go nowhere for drivers, but provide opportunity for those on foot or bike. “With some improved signage, people would know what was there and be able to explore a bit,” agreed Coun. Michelle Kirby, the Oak Bay council liaison to ATAC. “Being able to choose an alternate to the car, it just makes a more fun and healthy community.”
Anne Dearden, visiting from London, England, examines a 195 GMC engine, complete with an Elmo doll, during the 12th annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival on Sunday. Thousands of people attended the event along Oak Bay Avenue. More pictures can be found on page A3 of today’s newspaper.
PLEASE SEE: Group seeks, Page A6
Arnold Lim/Black Press
BARCLAY S FINE CUSTOM JEWELLERS