hamilton climate challenge

GO Winner!

2009-05-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Kirkendall Walks Grand Prizes Draw: Results

Environment Hamilton is happy to announce that the winner for the GO Transit prize package which includes one 10-ride pass is M. Al Ernest of Carlisle.
Congratulations!
.

VIVA VIA!

2009-05-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

Kirkendall Walks/Walk There! Grand Prizes Draw: Results

We are happy to announce that the winner of the VIA Rail return tickets to Montreal is M. Ken Stone of Hamilton Mountain. The winner for the GO Transit prize package which includes one 10-ride pass is M. Al Ernest of Carlisle.
Congratulations to our winners!

Remember, if you completed a vehicle log you are eligible to receive a free pedometer. Just email us and we can make arrangements for you to pick one up or you can pick yours up at the Environment Hamilton office at 1130 Barton St E suite 207 (opposite the Centre Mall). Phone 905 549 0900 or email environmenthamilton@gmail.com
Thanks to all the participants, and partners who made this project possible.

World Climate Day: October 24th

2009-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

350 is the most important number in the world. This number is the safe line for our global climate and a start line for a global movement. Join 350.org to take action in your community.

2009-03-30T09:19:00.001-07:00

Dreaming of a walkable world TheSpec.com - People - Dreaming of a walkable world

Paul Wilson
The Hamilton Spectator

(Mar 30, 2009)

Hugh Dobson is on the line. He has a few words for me. Ten, to be exact:

"The world has too much transportation. Two feet are enough."

Dobson worked for many years at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. He mapped, plotted, studied water quality.

He's retired now, lives in the Burlington core. His dander's up because the grocery store near his house was squeezed out by new condos. And the other food stores are beyond his walking range.

So Dobson's now doing some formulation. He has made a list of the places we need to go in this world -- work, grocery, bank, library, medical clinic, park -- and is now trying to weight them, according to how often you need to visit each place.

His formula is still a work in progress. But he wishes we could buck this big box trend, where the only place to shop, go to a movie or educate our kids is miles away.

I tell Dobson his call is most timely. I'm just about to make a call myself, to the Montreal home of Mary Soderstrom.

She has a new book called The Walkable City and will be in Hamilton Saturday, April 4. She'll be attending a panel discussion at 2 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, part of this year's gritLIT festival.

Soderstrom knows a thing or two about Hamilton. A few years ago she wrote Green City, and showcased 11 centres around the world. There was much surprise that Hamilton made the list.

But she pointed out that by the 1930s, Hamilton had more parks per inhabitant than any other Canadian city.

But there have been missteps since then. We've been awfully accommodating to the car and it's no wonder that in her new book Hamilton doesn't get cited as walkable.

We reach her at the two-storey row house she and her husband bought in the '70s, in the area north-east of downtown.

On this day, she has already been out for a 75-minute walk, past parks, shops, the school where her kids used to go. Yes, they walked there.

The neighbourhood is called Mile End. The area's garment factories have gone north or offshore. Now the arts have moved in. For instance, software giant Ubisoft has its flagship studio here, with 1,800 programmers, designers, artists. So there is the opportunity for these people to walk to their work. New young families are moving in.

Density matters. "I've heard that you need about 10,000 people for a walkable shopping street," Soderstrom says, a place with a small grocer, clothing store, drugstore, restaurant or two.

Density scares some people. They think it's dangerous. Quite the contrary, Soderstrom says. "You get foot traffic, eyes on the street. We've been in this house 33 years and we've never been broken into."

Her husband walks to the office, about 35 minutes. They do have a car, but only log about 4,000 kilometres a year.

"I've said that when this car dies, I don't want to buy a new one. Besides, in the next block there are three cars parked at Communauto." That's a Montreal car-share operation, where subscribers have access to cars for an hour, a day.

Soderstrom says by North American standards, Montreal is walkable. But Europe is bliss.

She takes us strolling along bustling rue Mouffetard, a Paris street that's part of an old road that led to Rome.

And that street is central to what she'll be saying when she comes to Hamilton. "The walkable city should be as viable in the 21st century as it was in the 18th century. Get out there and walk."

* * *

Last Wednesday I told you about the women of the Stelco tin mill. One was Ollie, who started there in 1949.

And I called her Ollie Loates. I have no idea where the 'l that extra L came from, but my apologies to Mrs. Oates.

* * *

And another, with correction provided by reader Mary Pickens:

"You hit a nerve with your column Friday, namely 'Lady' Simcoe. Mrs. Simcoe was not a lady and Mr. Simcoe was not a lord, but a hard-working soldier. The only Lord Simcoe was the misnamed Toronto hotel whose owners refused to correct the name when told it was wrong.

"I hope I don't see this error again -- this will be the third time I've found it in the Spec and protested."

Mrs. Simcoe was no lady. Got it.

StreetBeat appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday

pwilson@thespec.com

905-526-3391

Project Ends

2009-03-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

The last of our events (for the Kirkendall Walks Project) were as follows:
We attended the Strathcona CAG, meeting organized by Ward 1 on March 25th. Environment Hamilton was able to contribute ideas towards 'Guiding Principles" as concerns citizens and local groups influencing future Transportation Master Planning.
On March 26th, we demonstrated the Walk There! mapping tool to 4 classes at St Joesph's Elementary School.
Taht same evening,we had a hike with Richard Reble that from all accounts was fun.

Annual General Meeting Excitement!

2009-03-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for Environment Hamilton’s Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 24^th, at 7pm at the Freeway Café, located at 333 King Street East at Wellington. This year’s AGM includes a fantastic keynote speaker, the launch of our Climate Change Action Campaign and an opportunity to hear about plans we have for new initiatives over the coming year.

Sustainability for the Jaded - Dr. Bob Gibson to speak at 2009 AGM

Environment Hamilton is pleased to announce that Dr. Bob Gibson will be the keynote speaker at our March AGM. Dr. Gibson is a professor of Environment & Resource Studies in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo. He will be speaking about sustainability for the jaded, in recognition of the fact that many communities (including Hamilton) have struggled with notions of sustainability but have failed to succeed in implementing meaningful plans. We encourage you to join us for Dr. Gibson’s talk on March 24^th.

Night Hike with Richard Reble

2009-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

The 2 hour night hike last Thursday, Feb. 26 was attended by 16 enthusiastic hikers (including children and a dog!). It started at the foot of the escarpment stairs on Dundurn St. S. We hiked the Bruce Trail up to the mountain stopping to look at some historic sites such as the former Centre for the Insane!! (We learned it used to be a completely self -sustaining village, with a bakery, shoe maker, brewery etc)

As usual, Richard's hikes end with a pub stop. This time, the stop was the West Town Bar and Grill on Locke St. S.

Door to door Walk There! Blitz

2009-02-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 14th

About 10 volunteers went door to door in the Kirkendall neighbourhood with postcards promoting our new website mapping tool www.environmenthamilton.org/walkthere.
It was a lovely morning and we had a lot of fun!

2009-02-04T06:23:00.001-08:00

Website urges you to walk more

Environment Hamilton project shows what's within reach on foot

Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator

(Feb 4, 2009)

Lots of people use Google Maps or MapQuest to plan a road trip.

Now there's an Environment Hamilton website for walkers.

The idea of Walk There is to make you think twice before jumping into the car for a short trip by showing how quickly you can walk to schools, churches, Tim Hortons or other places within two kilometres of home.

The web address is www.environmenthamilton.org/walkthere.

You enter your point of departure, then pick from a destination category such as movie theatres or hair salons, and the software will show you where they are within a two-kilometre circle. Click on one of the pointers to get the name, address and walking time in minutes.

Jarah West of Environment Hamilton said volunteers had "scraped" the list of locations from other websites and that it needs to be refined and expanded, so users are invited to submit additions and changes.

The Kirkendall neighbourhood in southwest Hamilton is the most complete so far, because Environment Hamilton has been working there for a year to encourage residents to walk more. There have been street-by-street surveys of what makes walking attractive or difficult; police workshops on safe walking and cycling; and a series of guided walks with themes such as history and food.

In demonstrating the website at Ryerson Middle School yesterday, West told students that walking more would make them healthier while helping reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to global climate change.

Cindy Gangoram, teaching about the value of setting goals, then invited the students to make personal commitments to walk more.

"Maybe you can't walk to school every day, maybe every other day, but you can set a goal, and the only person you can impress or let down is yourself."

West said she hopes the website will help people realize the grocery story is only a six-minute walk away, and knowing that, they'll think about walking rather than clearing snow off the car, putting on seatbelts and driving a short distance.

emcguinness@thespec.com

905-526-4650

local warming

2009-01-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

Dave Braden gives a tour organized by E.H. of his off-the-grid house in Flamborough, Ontario on a snowy Sunday.

KNA Pedestrian / Cycling issues committee

2009-01-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

January 12th 2009

Another very mobilizing, well attended meeting.

The KNA Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee were joined by Councilor Brian McHattie, Lorissa Skrypniak from the city's traffic planning department, Daryl Bender, who is the city's alternative transportation co-ordinator, as well as Lynda Lukasik from Environment Hamilton.

The focus of the meeting? Hearing and learning from these individuals about Traffic Management Plan reviews, Public Information Centres (PIC), City Hall, and what we need to know to influence public process and effectively participate in the democratic process in Hamilton.

Lynda was very helpful in referring folks to the regional Official Plan (OP). This document is one "that we need to be waving about," as Lynda puts it. It is being revised but it clearly outlines a vision towards a sustainable region that we need to be pushing.

McHattie made a very exciting suggest- 10% of the budget that funds consultants (for city transportation management plans) ought to be handed over to an NGO in the neighbourhood undertaking management plans and reviews. Grassroots folk have a different perspective than engineers will have since they walk the streets.

We have to let the consultants know that we want a face to face meeting at the next Public Information Centre (PIC).

In the case of the highly dangerous and highly debated intersection at Dundurn and Main St, the group has decided to talk to the local MPP to get the province involved.

Little piece about the jingle bell walk

2009-01-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

Ken Mann
12/16/2008

Students at a catholic elementary school in Hamilton literally had their bells on.

Over 500 strong, the youngsters at St. Joseph's elementary have walked with bells on their feet, as part of an event to support both physical activity and pedestrian safety.

Principal Flora Nordoff says they are one of many schools which have a problem with traffic congestion, in part because of the number of parents who drive their children to school in the morning. The school also brings students into the area by bus for its French immersion program.

Nordoff hopes that the Jingle Bell Walk, combined with other planned activities, will encourage students to make walking part of their daily routine.

http://www.900chml.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocalGeneral/Story.aspx?ID=1047146

KNA-Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee-Update from the Dec 15th meeting

2008-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

13 people came out to the newly formed KNA-Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee.
Discussion focused around working with Strathcona Advisory Council to tackle Main and Dundurn Streets with a plan to influence the format of the next Public Information Centre for Strathcona Master Transportation Plan.

Also, talked about painting pavement at Kent and Herkimer (on hold), speedwatch at Aberdeen, Trinity Development proposal.
They plan to have a meeting that will focus on effective strategizing for mobilizing citizens in January.

Jingle Bell Walk at St Joesph's Catholic School

2008-12-16T15:31:00.000-08:00

St. Joseph’s kids take Jingle Bell walk – encouraged to walk to school despite the short days and cold weather

St. Joseph’s Elementary School, 270 Locke St. South, took part in a Jingle Bell Walk on Dec. 16^th.
Despite the short days and cold temperatures, children are encouraged to make walking part of their daily school routine.

Each of the 515 students at St. Joseph’s was sent home with a set of bells to attach to their boots or sneakers. The entire school took a group Jingle Bell Walk around the school property.

This was a festive way of expressing the commitment St. Joseph Elementary has made to the Active and Safe Routes to School program. The Jingle Bell Walk was a friendly reminder to parents and students that physical activity, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, air quality and community spirit all benefit from walking to school.

Although social and health benefits are the primary motives for this project, school Principal Flora Nordoff notes traffic congestion is a serious problem around the school in the morning. Buses, bringing French Immersion students from out of catchment, are competing with parents who drive their children for convenience. The morning traffic jam is unsafe and unpleasant for young students walking.
The walk was mentioned on CHML and the Spectator has contacted us about it.
Thanks to Public Health, Sharon Mckinnon and parent Rebekah Jackson who helped with getting this going.

Do Something!

2008-12-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

December 12, 2008

The Canadian Press

Canadian Arctic to melt so quickly, the region will have an ice-free season in six years.

Following a 15-month expedition, scientists from Canada and 15 other countries warn an ice-free Arctic for part of the year will have a major impact on wildlife, Inuit communities, and the entire northern ecosystem.

They note only two years ago, a seasonal ice-free Arctic was predicted by 2030.

Dr. David Barber, one of the scientists on the expedition, says `the Arctic is telling us that climate change is coming quicker and stronger.’

Canadian scientists attending this week’s International Arctic Change conference in Quebec City say the call for immediate government action on climate change appears to be falling on deaf ears.

Barber says unless Canada and other nations show the political will and leadership needed to reduce climate change, the consequences will be increasingly difficult to manage in the near future.

HIke a la Reble

2008-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Dec 4th
Our super-volunteer, Richard Reble lead a hike around the grounds of Dundurn Castle, the magnificent home of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, one of Canada's first premiers.
On a freezing cold night, (and despite the fact that the posters I put up around town advertising the event were taken down-who knows why?!!!) 20 brave souls came out and enjoyed a brisk walk together.
Who's up for another one?

Personal Safety workshop

2008-12-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

Officer Steve Mahler gave 2 presentations Dec 2nd:
one was with a group of 25 (?) engaging, grade 8 students (Ryerson Sage Quest program). The other evening presentation was at the Ryerson Rec centre. 12 people came out for that.

KNA-Sustainable transportation group- ist meeting

2008-11-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

The new Kirkendall Sustainability Committee: First Meeting was attended by 13 people. We discussed problem areas in the Kirkendall area and EH has been invited by residents to help host another meeting that will include the traffic department, the councillor, the MTO (the might have authority over traffic flow decisions at the Main/Dundurn and King/Dundurn intersections).

The meeting is planned for new year.

Contact? Derek - derekh@cogeco.ca

Update

2008-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

We had a great turn out for the food tour Nov 15th (24 people).
We will be having another hike with Richard Reble (see side bar) and we are going to have a Personal Safety workshop with Hamilton Police (see side bar).
We will be working with St Joesph's Catholic school and Public Health to deliver active and safe routes to school.
Our Walk there /Kirkendall Walks website is almost ready to be launched so stay tuned for that and for our walk there challenge!

First KNA -sustainable transportation meeting

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

New Kirkendall Sustainability Committee: First Meeting Please join the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association for the 1^st meeting of their new committee focused on pedestrians and cyclists. This group will take action on issues brought up in Environment Hamilton's neighbourhood assessments this fall.

For instance, the safety of crosswalks at Main and Dundurn is a problem. After meeting with management in the City Traffic Department a number of options were examined including: a pedestrian "scramble", taking a crosswalk away from pedestrians, and eliminating or delaying the advanced green turning signal. Get involved with the decision that is made at this corner! Also on the agenda: Painting on Pavement project for Herkimer and Kent intersection, organizing pedestrian events for safety, leisure, fun!

Where? Stanley Ave. Baptist Church. 115 Stanley Ave - please use rear entrance

Time? 7:30pm

Contact? Derek - derekh@cogeco.ca

Pedestrian Scramble

2008-11-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

A pedestrian scramble, also known as a Barnes Dance or exclusive pedestrian phase, is a pedestrian crossing system that stops all traffic and allows pedestrians to cross intersections in every direction at the same time. It was first used in Kansas City and Vancouver, Canada in the late 1940s, and has since then been adopted in many other cities and countries. It is most recently adopted in Toronto.

Jarah and I will be meeting with Councillor McHattie Nov 11th to talk about the possibility of a scramble for Dundurn and Main St. Meanwhile, here is an article from today's spec about a scramble at York and MacNab:

Pedestrians may soon scramble to market

Crossing and MacNab and York part of renewal plan

Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator

(Nov 10, 2008)

Get ready to scramble, Hamilton.

That is, if all goes according to plan on York Boulevard.

City staff have designed three concepts to revamp the streetscape of the road, all of which include a pedestrian scramble at the intersection of MacNab Street and York across from the Hamilton Farmers' Market.

The scramble allows pedestrians to cross the road in any direction, including diagonally, during a designated traffic light.

It's a model used around the world, and Toronto recently launched its own scramble at a downtown intersection.

"The scramble really reflects what I think is the true attitude of pedestrians, which is: 'If it's OK to go, go. And if I need to get across the diagonal, well, I'll go that way,'" said downtown Councillor Bob Bratina.

If implemented, the scramble would be the first of its kind in the city.

David Cuming, acting manager of community planning and design with the city, said creating a scramble would give pedestrians easier access from places like the parking garage to the Hamilton Farmers' Market.

"It goes back to that basic supposition that the pedestrians, in certain areas of the downtown, should take precedence over vehicular traffic," he said.

Cuming said public works staff have advised that the idea may need more analysis, but the designers wanted to get the concept out to stimulate public interest.

The regeneration of York is still in its early stages, with the public only receiving their first glimpse of the three concepts at an information centre last week.

The plan, developed around the two-way conversion of the street, covers the area along York from Bay Street North to James Street North.

Some of the ideas highlighted in the concepts include limiting street parking, creating additional sidewalk in front of the market and library, opening two or more lanes of traffic to vendors and events, or closing the street for special events on weekends or holidays.

Bratina said the street is basically a "highway" and needs to have a human pedestrian element brought back in.

He said if some of the roadway can be used for vendors for special events, while traffic can still get through, "that's a pretty broad and comprehensive way of looking at pedestrians and traffic living together."

Staff will try to finalize a preferred plan by spring.

It's anticipated work would be done at the same time as planned market and and library renovations.

dbrown@thespec.com

905-526-4629

St Joesph's Catholic School

2008-11-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Nov 5th-Attended a parent/teacher council meeting with Sharon Mackinnon, Public health nurse with the City. We were invited to speak to the council about getting kids walking. They were very interested and are keen to start the ball rolling with a jingle bells walk theme (an activity of the Active and safe routes to school program that Sharon promotes). Other activities include Walking Wednesdays, The walking school bus , mapping activities, 'walk across Canada,' walk a block. etc.
I'd like to do a walkabout for kids-maybe grades 8. Will be in touch with SageQuest/Ryerson School to see if they are interested.

Tars Sand Mania

2008-11-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Mon Nov 10 2008 THE 2008 SPIRIT OF RED HILL LECTURE - TAR SANDS MANIA 7:30 PM Please join us for the 4th Annual Spirit of Red Hill Valley Lecture. The guest speaker this year is Tony Clarke, Director of the Polaris Institute and author of the 2008 book entitled Tar Sands Showdown. Clarke will be speaking about the impact of the Alberta Tar Sands on Canada's economy, environment and energy future. He will be introduced by Dr. Brian Baetz, Director of McMaster University's Engineering and Society Program. Location: First Unitarian Church, 170 Dundurn St. S., Hamilton, Region: Hamilton, Sponsor: Friends of Red Hill Valley, MacGreen, Environment Hamilton, the Sierra Youth Coalition, the Hamilton/Burlington KAIROS Committee, and Hamiltonians for Progressive Development Contact Info: Don McLean don.mclean@cogeco.ca (905) 664-8796

Imagine this, there! (Herkimer at Kent)

2008-10-26T07:33:00.001-07:00

Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association's AGM (October 21st)

2008-10-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

We presented Kirkendall Walks to a responsive audience of 90 people or so. Councillor McHattie's presentation and the one taht followed ours-Light rail for Hamilton-with Ryan McGreal all helped bring home the message that alternatives to the car is a very serious concern that Hamilton is ready to deal with.

The Neighbourhood Association has now publically and officially announced it's commitment to active transportation and will be forming a commitee that focuses on sustainability with walking cycling and taking transit to help reduce green house gases andmitigate climate change as a central focus. Congratulations to Derek Hrynyshyn for taking the lead on this!
A petition was also circulated that night concerning the need to rebuild the Poulette pedestrian bridge.