Spirit Trail Eastern Extension
The Spirit Trail eastern extension will connect residents to the neighbourhoods, parks, and key places they need to go east of the Seymour River and to the broader North Shore Spirit Trail. It will enable safe and comfortable travel by active transportation and improve equitable access to nature for people with varying abilities.
The Spirit Trail eastern extension can also help reduce greenhouse gases from transportation by supporting a shift towards active transportation, enhancing the health and well-being of our community, and creating opportunities for people to learn about indigenous knowledge, interests, and culture.
Planning the Spirit Trail
Planning and public engagement is underway on the Spirit Trail's eastern extension. Once completed, it will provide a continuous active transportation connection linking key destinations and neighbourhoods east of the Seymour River.
This planning work began after Council approved a five-year Capital Plan in April 2023 that includes $20 million to continue building the Spirit Trail.
The Spirit Trail eastern extension is a multi-year effort connecting a series of separate projects delivered on individual timelines. Some segments will be constructed soon, while others will take longer as they are either technically challenging or require further discussion with neighbourhoods.
Route
There are many ways to connect the Spirit Trail to Deep Cove from where it ends today. In some locations, a single proposed route is shown as there are limited or no alternatives to consider. In locations where there are multiple options, the route has not been set and we are listening to input from the public.
Public engagement opportunities are planned for each segment and will roll out over time. Please click on the links at the bottom of this page to view the proposed schedule for each of the segments.
Evaluating the routes will take into account many factors, including, but are not limited to, safety, comfort, cost, technical feasibility, property constraints, topography, environmental impacts, First Nation interests, public input, and more.
Download the proposed Spirit Trail extension map
Schedule
We expect to start construction on the first segment from Seymour River to Windridge Park trail segment in late 2024 or early 2025.
Construction on segments through Roche Point Trail and connecting to Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park is expected to begin in early 2025.
There is one year to study and evaluate options before a final route decision is needed for the segment connecting Windridge Park to the Parkgate Village. There are two years to study and evaluate options before a final route decision is needed for the segment connecting to Deep Cove.
Learn more about each segment below:
- Seymour River to Windridge Park
- Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park
- Roche Point Trail
- Windridge Park to Roche Point Drive
- Whey-ah-Wichen to Deep Cove
Seymour River to Windridge Park
We expect construction on the Seymour River to Windridge Park trail segment to begin in late 2024.
We are starting here because this segment begins where the existing Spirit Trail at Seymour Boulevard ends, and there are no viable alternative routes.
The trail segment will include various facility types, such as multi-use paths, neighbourhood bikeways, and protected bike lanes.
A new pathway connection will be completed within the greenbelt north of Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School, connecting to Riverside Drive.
The priority on Heritage Park Lane and Windridge Drive will be improving cycling safety through signage, pavement markings, lighting, and intersection improvements.
We expect to start construction on the first segment from Seymour River to Windridge Park trail segment in late 2024 or early 2025.
Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park
Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park is culturally and spiritually significant to the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). It is also a place of historical and recreational significance to both the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and District communities – and a key destination east of the Seymour River.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the Spirit Trail connects with Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park while being mindful of minimizing impacts as much as possible.
As depicted in the map below, the proposed segment of the Spirit Trail includes two parallel routes to accommodate all users.
Modest enhancements and widening of Anchor Trail are proposed to improve accessibility and provide more equitable access to nature, but no paving or lighting improvements are proposed at the request and recommendation of both the District’s Parks department and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Anchor Trail will remain a gravel, pedestrian-focused trail open to off-leash dogs. While cycling is permitted along Anchor Trail today, riders will be encouraged to use other routes to minimize conflicts.
This means that an alternative Spirit Trail routing for this segment should also be provided because of the accessibility limitations of gravel surfaces and grades. Accordingly, active transportation improvements to Dollarton Highway between Roche Point Drive and Dollar Road are proposed as part of the Spirit Trail Eastern Extension so that a wider set of Spirit Trail users have a suitable connection through this area.
Construction on this segment is expected to begin in early 2025.
Roche Point Trail
Roche Point Trail is an important segment that connects many destinations that Parkgate Village area, Garibaldi Drive area, and the Raven Woods area to Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park, Sherwood Park Elementary, and Roche Point Park.
Making this connection is critical to the success of the Spirit Trail Eastern Extension because Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park is a regional destination that needs more options for people to get there without their car. Improving accessibility to this place of cultural and spiritual significance is also a priority for Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
As depicted in the map above, it is proposed that this segment of the Spirit Trail consist of two connections in this location, one using Roche Point Drive to connect to Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park, and one using Dollar Road. The steep grades on Roche Point Drive are inaccessible to many people. Adding an alternative on Dollar Road also improves safe routes to school.
It is not expected that major investments will be appropriate on the 300-block of Roche Point Drive because of the lower vehicle speeds and volumes, except for possible crossing treatment improvements at Dollarton Highway. The savings are expected to be better used on pedestrian and cycling improvements to Dollar Road. Staff will ensure that any proposed changes improve Safe Routes to School and active transportation choices for pick-up and drop-off at Sherwood Park Elementary.
Within the natural parkland of Roche Point Park, no final decisions have been made regarding whether the trail will be paved or lit. Construction on this segment is expected to begin in early 2025.
Windridge Park to Roche Point Drive
This segment is one of the longest segments, with many limitations such as grades, topography, right-of-way constraints, and several creek crossings. Technical feasibility work is currently underway to help inform route evaluation. As can be seen in the map below, there are many different ways to make this connection.
The most significant investment associated with this segment is a crossing of McCartney Creek to avoid Mount Seymour Parkway and because Dollarton Highway is not being considered for the Spirit Trail. While earlier planning work focused on the options to the south of Mount Seymour Parkway, we heard from many that an option along the trail to the north of Mount Seymour Parkway should also be under consideration.
Over the next year study and evaluation of the various route options will take place before a final route decision is made next year. This segment is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Whey-ah-Wichen to Deep Cove
In 2023, Council directed staff to complete the Spirit Trail connection to Deep Cove as it is the proposed end of the North Shore Spirit Trail. We’ve heard that a connection from Parkgate to Deep Cove should be considered alongside the option of connecting to Deep Cove from Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park. The considerable number of options to get the Spirit Trail to Deep Cove can be seen on the map below.
Over the next two years, study and evaluation of the various route options will take place before a final route decision is made in 2026. This segment is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
What will the Spirit Trail Eastern Extension look like?
The designs of each segment will reflect the local conditions, setting, and topography. These illustrations give examples of the many possible route configurations:
As designs develop, there will be opportunities for input from local neighbourhoods and broader community about what the Spirit Trial will look like along its length.
Working with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
The səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and District are collaborating to determine the location of the Spirit Trail's eastern extension, with the goal of serving the entire North Shore community.
In recognition that the land surrounding Dollarton Highway holds deep cultural significance as səlilwətaɬ reserve land and traditional territory, and is home to a thriving community, the options for the Spirit Trail Eastern Extension intentionally avoid Dollarton Highway through reserve land.
"As stewards of this land for generations, the significance of preserving our cultural heritage cannot be overstated. The decision to avoid Dollarton Highway aligns with our commitment to respecting our ancestral lands and ensuring their preservation for future generations," says Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
The historical context of Dollarton Highway, constructed in the 1930s without compensation to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, underscores the importance of thoughtful collaboration and community-focused initiatives.
Moving forward, the səlilwətaɬ and the District remain dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to enhance safety and accessibility along Dollarton Highway for all residents, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.
In a proactive step towards this goal, səlilwətaɬ and the District are pleased to announce their collaboration on a sidewalk project along Dollarton Highway. This initiative represents a significant stride in improving infrastructure and fostering a safer environment for all road users.
Explore the history, vision, and values of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
