The City’s Open Streets initiative began as a recovery response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time of social isolation, Open Streets provided space for people to come out and feel safe and connected. By recreating spaces along our roadways, we improved access to businesses while supporting the health and safety of residents with more space for physical distancing.
From the beginning, the priority of the Open Streets Initiative has always been to provide public spaces for everyone to use, residents, patrons, and small businesses alike. Since then, it has evolved into an integral part of Central Lonsdale and our community. By partnering with local organizations such as United Way of the Lower Mainland and North Shore Pride Alliance, as well as integrating City initiatives such as our Parklets Program, Temporary Patio Program, and Studio in the City Youth Art Program, we have re-imagined these roadways and curbsides into a collection of beautiful and engaging community spaces.
Lonsdale Avenue
Lonsdale Avenue between 14th and 18th is a busy commercial hub at the heart of our City. In this stretch the street has been narrowed to two travel lanes (one in each direction), with a parking/loading zone on both sides, an expanded sidewalk, and seating/waiting areas in the previous parking lane.
The expanded sidewalk area offers flexible pedestrian orientated space designed to support the needs of local shops, cafes, restaurants. In some sections additional covered seating is available. In other locations there is a waiting area so that queues to enter popular destinations do not obstruct the sidewalk. City staff will continue working with businesses to refine this stretch of Lonsdale to include things like pick up/drop off or waiting areas or other elements that support to the diverse needs of the neighbouring businesses. Learn more at cnv.org/SupportingBusiness.
West Grand Boulevard
West Grand Blvd between East Keith Road and East 19th Street now provides a comfortable experiences for cyclists while maintaining vehicle access for neighbouring residents. The northbound lane has been closed to vehicle traffic allowing cyclists to travel north and south along the roadway rather than along the pathways in Grand Boulevard Park. The pathways have been reallocated to pedestrians allowing them more space for physical distancing.
Staff will continue working with neighbours to refine the design.
Wallace Mews at The Shipyards
Wallace Mews has been closed to general vehicle traffic at both intersections with Victory Ship Way. The closure of Wallace Mews has improved the pedestrian safety and social distances space in this popular location. Vehicle access for deliveries and emergency vehicles is still permitted. The City will continue to work with adjacent businesses to modify the configuration to ensure access and loading needs are met.
Curbside Pickup Zones
Many businesses across the City have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing take-out services or providing online shopping and curbside pickup options with physical distancing measures in place. As part of the Open Streets program, the City is installing a number of new 10 minute time-limited curbside pickup zones in the City. These zones are intended to help local businesses and their customers by providing quick and easy access from their vehicles. We will reassess the need for these new spaces when public health orders impacting businesses and services are relaxed.This initiative is part of the Council endorsed COVID-19 pandemic adaptation and recovery framework.
Would a curbside pickup zone help your business? Let us know at cityparking@cnv.org.
Central Lonsdale Curbside Pickup Zone Map
Lower Lonsdale Curbside Pickup Zone Map