METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT …Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District ( MVRD) Regional Parks Committee held at :00 9a.m. on Wednesday, July 10,

September 11, 2019

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT REGIONAL PARKS COMMITTEE

REGULAR MEETING

September 18, 2019 9:00 AM

28th Floor Committee Room, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia

A G E N D A1

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 September 18, 2019 Regular Meeting AgendaThat the Regional Parks Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for September 18, 2019, as circulated.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 July 10, 2019 Regular Meeting MinutesThat the Regional Parks Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held July 10, 2019, as circulated.

3. DELEGATIONS

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Dr. Lawrence Frank, Professor, School of Population and Public Health,University of British Columbia Subject: Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Study

4.2 Deborah Harford, Executive Director, Adaptation to Climate Change Team, Simon Fraser University Subject: Regional Green Infrastructure Benefits for Climate Action

4.3 Gail Martin, Founder/Executive Director, Critter Care Wildlife Society Subject: Critter Care Wildlife Society

1 Note: Recommendation is shown under each item, where applicable.

Regional Parks Committee

Regional Parks Committee Regular Agenda September 18, 2019 Agenda Page 2 of 3

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Development FundingDesignated Speakers: Ravi Chhina, General Manager, Parks & Housing Services Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks That the MVRD Board: a) direct staff to include in the 2020 Regional Parks budget an increase to the

Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund of $4.0 million annually for the purpose ofadvancing park land acquisition and development; and

b) include for consideration as part of the Regional Parks Five-Year Financial Plan anincrease to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund of $4.5 million annuallybeginning in 2021; and

c) prepare an amendment to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw 735, thebylaw that established a Regional Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund, to enablecapital funding provisions for both land acquisition and new park developmentfor Board approval.

5.2 Campbell Valley Regional Park – Proposed Campbell Valley Nature Centre Location Designated Speakers: Doug Petersen, Division Manager (Acting), East Area, Regional Parks Lydia Mynott, Park Planner, East Area, Regional Parks That the MVRD Board approve the South Valley Activity Area in Campbell Valley Regional Park as the future location for the Campbell Valley Nature Centre.

5.3 Tynehead Regional Park - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Proposal for Forest Restoration Designated Speakers: Doug Petersen, Division Manager (Acting), East Area, Regional Parks That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated July 15, 2019, titled “Tynehead Regional Park - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) Proposal for Forest Restoration”.

5.4 Manager’s Report – Regional Parks Designated Speaker: Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated September 11, 2019, titled “Manager’s Report – Regional Parks”.

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Regional Planning Committee Report dated, July 5, 2019, titled “Where Matters:Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report”.


Regional Parks Committee Regular Agenda September 18, 2019 Agenda Page 3 of 3

6.2 Regional Parks Upcoming Events – October 2019

6.3 Regional Parks Check it Out! Fall 2019 Nature Program Guide http://www.metrovancouver.org/events/check-it-out/Pages/default.aspx

7. OTHER BUSINESS

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS

9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETINGNote: The Committee must state by resolution the basis under section 90 of the CommunityCharter on which the meeting is being closed. If a member wishes to add an item, the basismust be included below.

That the Regional Parks Committee close its regular meeting scheduled for September 18,2019 pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (1) (e)as follows:

“90 (1) A part of the meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter beingconsidered relates to or is one or more of the following:

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if theboard or committee considers that disclosure could reasonably be expectedto harm the interests of the regional district.”

10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSIONThat the Regional Parks Committee adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of September 18,2019.

Membership: McEwen, John (C) - Anmore Wiebe, Michael (VC) - Vancouver Belenkie, Neil - Belcarra Calendino, Pietro - Burnaby Dilworth, Diana - Port Moody

Hodge, Craig - Coquitlam Jackson, Lois - Delta Miyashita, Tracy - Pitt Meadows Muri, Lisa - North Vancouver District Nicholson, Maureen - Bowen Island

Penner, Darrell - Port Coquitlam Pettigrew, Steven - Surrey Richter, Kim - Langley Township Soprovich, Bill - West Vancouver

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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MVRD Regional Parks Committee held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Page 1 of 7

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT REGIONAL PARKS COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Regional Parks Committee held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in the 28th Floor Committee Room, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Mayor John McEwen, Anmore Vice Chair, Councillor Michael Wiebe, Vancouver (arrived at 9:04 a.m.) Mayor Neil Belenkie, Belcarra Councillor Pietro Calendino, Burnaby Councillor Diana Dilworth, Port Moody Councillor Craig Hodge, Coquitlam Councillor Lois Jackson, Delta Councillor Lisa Muri, North Vancouver District Councillor Maureen Nicholson, Bowen Island Councillor Darrell Penner, Port Coquitlam Councillor Steven Pettigrew, Surrey Councillor Kim Richter, Langley Township Councillor Bill Soprovich, West Vancouver

MEMBERS ABSENT: Councillor Tracy Miyashita, Pitt Meadows

STAFF PRESENT: Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services Carol Mason, Chief Administrative Officer Genevieve Lanz, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 July 10, 2019 Regular Meeting Agenda

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee: a) amend the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for July 10, 2019 by

varying the order of the agenda to consider Item 6.1 prior to Item 5.1; andb) adopt the agenda as amended.

CARRIED

2.1



2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 May 15, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held May 15, 2019 as circulated.

CARRIED

3. DELEGATIONSNo items presented.

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Irene Lau, Chair, Burnaby Lake Park AssociationIrene Lau, Chair, Burnaby Lake Park Association, provided members with a presentation on the Burnaby Lake Park Association, highlighting the Burnaby Lake Park Association vision statement, stewardship activities, and Weed Busters, EcoBlitz and Nestboxes programs.

9:04 a.m. Vice Chair Wiebe arrived at the meeting.

Presentation material titled “Burnaby Lake Park Association” is retained with the July 10, 2019 Regional Parks Committee agenda.

4.2 Teaghan Smith, President and Issaku Inami, Board Director, Pacific Spirit Parks Society Teaghan Smith, President, and Issaku Inami, Board Director, Pacific Spirit Parks Society, provided members with a presentation on the Pacific Spirit Parks Society, highlighting Pacific Spirit Parks Society’s vision statement, Camosun Bog education group and Eco Team, and invasive species mapping and removal.

In response to questions, members were informed of the partnership with Musqueam First Nation regarding traditional naming signage

Presentation material titled “Pacific Spirt Park Society” is retained with the July 10, 2019 Regional Parks Committee agenda.

Agenda Order Varied Pursuant to Section 1 Adoption of the agenda, the order of the agenda was varied to consider Item 6.1 at this point in the meeting.



6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant - Project Definition Update Fred Nenninger, Director, Policy, Planning and Analysis, Liquid Waste Services and Jeff Fitzpatrick, Division Manager, West Area, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, provided members with an update on the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant replacement project, highlighting the cohesive planning and integration with Iona Beach Regional Park, project business case and financial planning, definition phase and themes, and timeline and next steps. In response to questions, members were informed of potential wastewater treatment options and flood plain management. Presentation material titled “Iona Beach Regional Park – Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Definition Update” is retained with the July 10, 2019 Regional Parks Committee agenda.

Agenda Order Varied The order of the agenda was further varied to consider receipt of Items 6.1 and 6.2 together at this point.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the following Information Items: 6.1 Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant - Project Definition Update 6.2 Regional Parks Upcoming Events – August 2019

CARRIED Agenda Order Resumed The order of the agenda resumed with Item 5.1 before the Committee at this point.

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 2019-2022 Board Strategic Plan Report dated June 27, 2019 from Ann Rowan, Program Manager, Collaboration and Engagement, External Relations and Megan Gerryts, Corporate Projects Coordinator, CAO Executive Officer, presenting the Regional Parks Strategic Directions for the 2019-2022 Board Strategic Plan for endorsement. Members were provided with a presentation on the Regional Parks Strategic Directions for the 2019-2022 Board Strategic Plan, highlighting 30-year planning directives, and next steps. The Committee commented on exploring synergies with member jurisdictions, accessibility of regional parks through transit and other modes of transportation, and increases to the Land Acquisition Fund.



Presentation material titled “2019-2022 Board Strategic Plan Regional Parks Services” is retained with the July 10, 2019 Regional Parks Committee agenda. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee endorse the Regional Parks Services Strategic Directions as presented in the attachment dated June 25, 2019, titled “Strategic Directions: Regional Parks Services”.

CARRIED

5.2 Boundary Bay Park Association Contribution Agreement Report dated June 3, 2019 from David Leavers, Division Manager, Visitor and Operations Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, seeking MVRD Board approval of the contribution agreement with the Boundary Bay Park Association in the amount of $7,000 for a one-year term commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board approve the Contribution Agreement between the Metro Vancouver Regional District and the Boundary Bay Park Association for a one-year term in the amount of $7,000, commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.

CARRIED Councillor Soprovich absent at the vote.

5.3 Burnaby Lake Park Association Contribution Agreement

Report dated June 3, 2019 from David Leavers, Division Manager, Visitor and Operations Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, seeking MVRD Board approval of the contribution agreement with the Burnaby Lake Park Association in the amount of $13,000 for a one-year term commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board approve the Contribution Agreement between the Metro Vancouver Regional District and the Burnaby Lake Park Association for a one-year term in the amount of $13,000, commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.


5.4 Colony Farm Park Association Contribution Agreement

Report dated June 3, 2019 from David Leavers, Division Manager, Visitor and Operations Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, seeking MVRD Board approval of the contribution agreement with the Colony Farm Park Association in the amount of $5,000 commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.



It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board approve the Contribution Agreement between the Metro Vancouver Regional District and the Colony Farm Park Association for a one-year term in the amount of $5,000, commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.


5.5 Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association Contribution Agreement

Report dated June 3, 2019 from David Leavers, Division Manager, Visitor and Operations Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, seeking MVRD Board approval of the contribution agreement with the Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association in the amount of $15,000 commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board approve the Contribution Agreement between the Metro Vancouver Regional District and the Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association for a one-year term in the amount of $15,000, commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.


5.6 Minnekhada Park Association Contribution Agreement

Report dated June 3, 2019 from David Leavers, Division Manager, Visitor and Operations Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, seeking MVRD Board approval of the contribution agreement with the Minnekhada Park Association in the amount of $13,000 commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the MVRD Board approve the Contribution Agreement between the Metro Vancouver Regional District and the Minnekhada Park Association for a one-year term in the amount of $13,000, commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.


5.7 Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Capital Development Funding Options

Report dated June 10, 2019 from Ravi Chhina, General Manager, and Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, providing information on the financial implications associated with the advancement of the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy.



Members discussed potential increases to the Land Acquisition Fund, opportunities to secure other funding sources and partnerships, and natural asset listings. In response to questions, members received clarification on the allocation funds for the regional parks function within the annual MVRD budgeting process. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated June 10, 2019, titled “Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Capital Development Funding Options”.

CARRIED

5.8 Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway - Cumberland Point Potential Habitat Compensation Project Report dated June 10, 2019 from Jamie Vala, Division Manager, Planning and Engineering Services, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, providing information on the potential habitation compensation project at the Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway’s Cumberland Point, resulting from the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated June 10, 2019, titled “Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway - Cumberland Point Potential Habitat Compensation Project”.

CARRIED

5.9 Manager’s Report – Regional Parks Report dated July 3, 2019 from Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks, Parks and Housing Services, providing an update on the Regional Parks 2019 Work Plan, highlighting regional parks officer training, Goodbye Chums event, regional parks volunteer appreciation tours, and ParksFest 2019 event. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated July 3, 2019, titled “Manager’s Report – Regional Parks”.

CARRIED 6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant - Project Definition Update

This item was previously considered.

6.2 Regional Parks Upcoming Events – August 2019 This item was previously considered.



7. OTHER BUSINESS No items presented.

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS

No items presented. 9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING

No items presented.

10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Regional Parks Committee conclude its regular meeting of July 10, 2019.

CARRIED (Time: 10:58 a.m.)

____________________________ ____________________________ Genevieve Lanz, John McEwen, Chair Legislative Services Coordinator 30390268 FINAL


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To: Regional Parks Committee

From: Ravi Chhina, General Manager, Parks & Housing Services Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks

Date: September 9, 2019 Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

Subject: Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Development Funding

RECOMMENDATION That the MVRD Board: a) direct staff to include in the 2020 Regional Parks budget an increase to the Regional Parks Land

Acquisition Fund of $4.0 million annually for the purpose of advancing park land acquisition anddevelopment; and

b) include for consideration as part of the Regional Parks Five-Year Financial Plan an increase to theRegional Parks Land Acquisition Fund of $4.5 million annually beginning in 2021; and

c) prepare an amendment to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw 735, the bylaw thatestablished a Regional Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund, to enable capital funding provisionsfor both land acquisition and new park development for Board approval.

PURPOSE To seek MVRD Board approval to establish annual funding through property tax requisition to advance the implementation of the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy and the opening of new park land for public use.

BACKGROUND In 1993, a Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund was established at $3.5 million per annum or about $2 dollars per capita at that time. This fund remained static until 2003 when it was increased to $3.77 million. In 2017, the MVRD Board approved an increase to the land acquisition fund to bring it to $7.57 million per annum to accelerate the implementation of the land acquisition program.

In 2018, the MVRD Board adopted the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy. One of the actions identified in the strategy is to explore options for sustainable funding to support the acquisition of regional park land in the region. The Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund is intended to fund park land acquisition. However, a funding gap exists with the cost for land acquisition and the cost for park development. To consider this shortfall, at its May 15, 2019 meeting, the Regional Parks Committee endorsed the following motion:

That the Regional Parks Committee direct staff to bring forward a report with information on the financial implications to advance the completion of major Regional Parks planning and development connecting Metro Vancouver residents to the Regional Parks system.

At its July 10, 2018 meeting, the Regional Parks Committee received an information report titled Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Capital Development Funding Options and provided direction to staff to bring forward a report for MVRD Board consideration. One topic of discussion at the meeting

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Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Development Regional Parks Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

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was the consideration of a tax requisition to increase the annual contribution to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund. Following the discussion, staff were asked to provide a recommendation for the Committee’s review and endorsement.

As requested by the Regional Parks Committee, this report presents for the MVRD Board’s consideration, financial options for advancing the implementation of the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy and the development of new regional park land.

Advancing Land Acquisition and Regional Development Metro Vancouver raises approximately $2.82 per person annually to use towards the acquisition of new park land. In order to determine an optimal per capita ‘target’ for Metro Vancouver with respect to park land acquisition and major capital development, the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy can provide guidance in this regard. The strategy identifies 1,286 hectares (ha) of properties of interest for regional parks and greenways in the current plan. In the absence of specific real estate valuation appraisals for individual parcels, one of the only standardized key indicators of price for future acquisition is assessed value.

The estimated low end assessed value of identified park lands across the region is $375,000/ha. Historically, assessed value is typically well below market value. To calculate the estimated capital required over time to acquire 1,286 ha @ $375,000/ha, $482,250,000 would be required today. This amount does not factor in any expected increases in land value. It also does not assume that all identified future parkland will be available or on the market during that time period. Variability in the availability of land will allow for funding to be used for both the acquisition and development of newly acquired lands.

Utilizing the existing $7.57 million annual funding for land acquisition, it would take approximately 63.7 years from today (around the year 2083) to acquire the properties of interest as identified in the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy.

To target the continued acquisition of the identified properties of interest and permit completion of existing and new park capital development by the future date of 2050 or within a 30-year timeframe, it is estimated that $482,250,000/30 years=$16,075,000 would be required per annum in 2019 dollars – an additional $8,505,000 per year. This increase to the annual requisition would translate into anadditional annual household impact of approximately $8 per year for a total annual contribution of$16 per household or $5.95 per capita towards park land acquisition and development.

As noted above, a funding gap exists with the cost for land acquisition and the cost for park development. If the MVRD Board, through the budget process, supports increasing the annual contribution to the Regional Parks Acquisition Fund, consideration will need to be given to allocating a portion of the requisition to support new park management planning and development. Subject to MVRD Board approval of an increase to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund, staff will bring forward a bylaw amendment for the Board’s consideration that would enable the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund to include provisions for both acquisition and development costs.

An accelerated and increased new park development and land acquisition capital budget for Regional Parks service would have the following benefits:



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• Leveraging opportunities to explore partnerships with member jurisdictions to join resourcesfor major park and greenway acquisition and development;

• Accelerating park acquisition before land is redeveloped for other uses and permitting MVRDto be competitive in the real estate market when negotiating acquisitions;

• Advancing the implementation of park plans for major park development planned over thenext 30 years versus the next 63 years;

• Advancing Widgeon Marsh Regional Park development beyond basic development andensuring park construction realizes the park vision and the quality of development is resilientto the expected demand for this future regional park;

• Capital funding not spent in a given year would continue to be placed in a reserve for futureopportunities or when strategic land acquisition opportunities are presented;

• More people across the region will be given opportunities to connect with the regional parkssystem;

• New park development and park management plan implementations at Widgeon, CoddWetland, Blaney Bog, Pacific Spirit, Campbell Valley, Delta Nature Reserve (Burns Bog), futureLangley West Creek Wetland development, and other major regional greenwayimplementation.

Other Funding Opportunities While tax requisition funding provides certainty with respect to the availability of capital funding, there are other funding initiatives also available for consideration that could advance land acquisition and major park development. These opportunities include:

• grant funding applications with other levels of government;• co-funding/partnering with other non-governmental organizations interested in the provision

or protection of parks and open space;• co-funding/partnering with member jurisdictions and or other governmental organizations

interested in the provision or protection of parks and open space;• targeted fundraising campaigns for capital works with the Pacific Parklands Foundation; and• feasibility for pursuing a new development cost charge or parcel tax program.

Board Strategic Plan 2019-2022 The 2019 - 2022 Board Strategic Plan provides direction to advance the “Protect and Connect” mission by acquiring new lands for regional parks and greenways to provide for growth and increasing demands on regional parks. The Plan also encourages fostering collaboration and partnerships particularly around greenways connections and active transportation opportunities to regional parks.

DRIVERS OF REGIONAL PARK LAND ACQUISITION There are several drivers that shaped the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy and continue to drive the need for more park space in the region.

Growing and Active Population The regional population is growing with another 1.2 million people expected to reside in the region by 2050. Visits to regional parks are growing at an average rate of 3.9% per year, twice as fast as the population. The result is that existing park facilities are often at capacity during peak times.



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Sensitive Ecosystems Disappearing The conversion of natural areas to residential, industrial, agricultural and commercial uses has accelerated over the past two decades. From 2009 - 2014, over 1,600 hectares of sensitive and modified ecosystems have been lost; the equivalent of losing areas the size of four Stanley Parks in five years. Climate Change The impacts of climate change from rising sea level, spread of invasive species, changes to precipitation patterns, and increased drought conditions are threatening the resilience of the regional parks system. The regional parks system provides a variety of important ecosystem services to the region and provides opportunities for residents to connect with nature close to home. Ten percent of the region consists of sensitive ecosystems that are still ‘unprotected’, some of which could be acquired for regional parks. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the MVRD Board:

a) direct staff to include in the 2020 Regional Parks budget an increase to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund of $4.0 million annually for the purpose of advancing park land acquisition and development; and

b) include for consideration as part of the Regional Parks Five-Year Financial Plan an increase to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund of $4.5 million annually beginning in 2021; and

c) prepare an amendment to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw 735, the bylaw that established a Regional Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund, to enable capital funding provisions for both land acquisition and new park development for Board approval.

2. That the MVRD Board: a) direct staff to include in the Regional Parks 2020 budget an additional contribution of $2.5

million to advance the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund and include an additional $1.5 million increase annually until 2024; and

b) prepare an amendment to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw 735, the bylaw that established a Regional Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund, to enable capital funding provisions for both land acquisition and new park development for Board approval.

3. That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated September 9, 2019, titled

“Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Development Funding” and provide alternative direction to staff.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS If the MVRD Board approves Alternative 1, $4 million will be added to the 2020 Regional Parks budget. This would increase the 2020 household impact for land acquisition by $4. An additional $4.5 million increase to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund would be brought forward for the Board’s consideration as part of the 2021 budget process for a total increase of $8.5 million.



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If the MVRD Board approves Alternative 2, the 2020 Regional Parks budget will include an increase of $2.5 million to the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund and an additional $1.5 million annually would be added in the 2021 - 2024 budget years, bringing the total phased increase to $8.5 million. If the MVRD Board approves Alternative 3, staff will report back to the Board on the financial impacts of the direction provided. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION In 1993, a Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund was established at $3.5 million per annum which remained static until 2003 when it was increased to $3.77 million. In 2017, the MVRD Board approved an increase to the land acquisition fund to bring it to $7.57 million per annum to accelerate the implementation of the land acquisition program. In 2018, the MVRD Board adopted the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy. The Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund is intended to fund park land acquisition. However, a funding gap exists with the cost for land acquisition and the cost for park development. In May 2019, the Regional Parks Committee directed staff to bring forward a report with information on the financial implications to advance the completion of major regional park planning and development connecting Metro Vancouver residents to the Regional Parks system. This report presents for the MVRD Board’s consideration, the financial implications associated with funding options for advancing the implementation of the Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 strategy. The regional parks system provides a variety of important ecosystem services to the region and provides opportunities for residents to connect with nature close to home. Visitation to regional parks continues to grow twice as fast as population growth, with an estimated 12 million visits annually, but growth of the system is challenging in an increasingly competitive and expensive land market. This report recommends Alternative 1, an annual increase of $4.0 million in the budget year 2020, $4.5 million in budget year 2021 and an amendment to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw 735 to allow for the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund to be used for land acquisition and new park development. Reference Regional Parks Land Acquisition 2050 Strategy: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/RegionalParksLandAcquisition 050.pdf 30541403


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/RegionalParksLandAcquisition050.pdf

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/RegionalParksLandAcquisition050.pdf

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From: Doug Petersen, Division Manager (Acting), East Area, Regional Parks Lydia Mynott, Park Planner, East Area, Regional Parks

Date: July 17, 2019 Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

Subject: Campbell Valley Regional Park – Proposed Campbell Valley Nature Centre Location

RECOMMENDATION That the MVRD Board approve the South Valley Activity Area in Campbell Valley Regional Park as the future location for the Campbell Valley Nature Centre.

PURPOSE To seek MVRD Board approval for the South Valley Activity Area in Campbell Valley Regional Park to be the future location for the Campbell Valley Nature Centre.

BACKGROUND At its March 29, 2019 meeting, the MVRD Board approved the following recommendation:

That the MVRD Board authorize staff to proceed with the public engagement process as presented in the report dated March 6, 2019, titled “Campbell Valley Regional Park – Public Engagement and Management Plan Update”.

A key issue identified in management plan process was to address planning issues associated with the Nature House Program at Campbell Valley Regional Park. Campbell Valley Regional Park is located in the Township of Langley. Regional Growth Strategy projections forecast that 42% of regional growth will be accommodated in the municipalities south of the Fraser in the period until 2041, adding a further 469,000 people to this part of the region.

A management plan for Campbell Valley Regional Park was approved by the GVRD Board in May 1989. The 1998 Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan Review formed an addendum to this plan. Both plans identified the park as a major centre for GVRD’ s interpretive activities in the Fraser Valley sub-area.

Staff are now seeking approval of the South Valley Activity Area as the proposed location for a new nature centre at Campbell Valley Regional Park.

CAMPBELL VALLEY REGIONAL PARK NATURE HOUSE The Campbell Valley nature house was originally located at the South Valley Entrance in Campbell Valley Regional Park (Attachment 1). This is the main park activity area and visitor reception and orientation centre. The nature house is an on‐site building for displays and educational programs,

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Campbell Valley Regional Park – Proposed Campbell Valley Nature Centre Location

Regional Parks Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2019 Page 2 of 4

events, and activities. The ponds and the areas surrounding were developed to provide both habitat enhancement and an educational landscape. The Nature House and surrounding landscape are utilized by a number of different public programs and offers many benefits to the public and park users, this includes;

• Connects people to nature using interactive learning techniques. • Fosters collaboration and enhances partnerships through community outreach and

engagement. • Supports public programming through office space, indoor classrooms and program storage

areas. • Enhances visitor experience, service and safety through on‐site help, shelter and directions.

Since 1998 the Campbell Valley Nature House has been operated by a volunteer host program. A team of over forty volunteer hosts and an exhibits working group are led by a volunteer coordinator. The program enables volunteers and groups with an interest in the park to increase service to the public by hosting the drop‐in programs and also designing, curating and building exhibits. The original nature house was a two room pre‐fabricated building that was scheduled for demolition (Attachment 2). The White Rock and Surrey Naturalists prepared a proposal and grant to move the building and develop a wildlife demonstration garden including purpose‐built ponds (Attachment 2). The nature house was opened in 1987 and remained operational at the South Valley entrance until September 2017. In 2017 a site investigation found that the building required significant improvements, it was determined it was not cost effective to repair and the building was subsequently demolished. The interpretive ponds and garden at the South Valley Entrance remain a key programming area in the park and are subject to capacity issues with multiple school groups requiring access to the pond‐dipping areas and gardens. Interim Nature House Program In spring 2018 the Program moved to a temporary location at the Rowlatt Heritage Area, a 10‐acre heritage farmstead site. The Program is currently housed in the heritage designated red barn (Attachment 3). A number of deficiencies and issues are inherent in using a heritage building without modifications as a publically accessible interpretive centre. These include but are not limited to; building comfort – poor building envelop performance, lack of heating, accessibility issues, lack of facilities such as washrooms, parking, suitability of outdoor programming space, presence of nesting barn owls and conflicts with group, event and filming bookings. The nature house and interpretive ponds at Campbell Valley Regional Park are a significant public programming site in the Regional Parks system. Visitation at Campbell Valley Regional Park is currently estimated at over 614,000 visits annually. In 2018 over 150 school and group programs with 2,500 people in attendance were hosted at the nature house and interpretive ponds. Campbell




Valley Regional Park remains one of the busiest locations for school, group and events programming in the entire park system. Campbell Valley Regional Park - Nature Centre Feasibility Study During 2018 staff commenced a feasibility study to understand the preliminary program and site selection for a new purpose‐built Nature Centre at Campbell Valley Regional Park. The feasibility study determined that a new nature centre would comprise of both indoor and outdoor spaces. The building would support classroom/s, multi‐purpose space, exhibit rooms and ancillary facilities such as work rooms, washrooms and a kitchenette, the building would provide a base for Park Interpreters. An enhanced outdoor program, would include ponds, teaching areas, wildlife gardens, interpretive elements, habitat enhancements, shelters and seating opportunities. A preliminary site review process concluded that the new centre should not impact the 10‐acre heritage designated Annuad / Rowaltt Farmstead and associated structures. It was also determined that the former footprint of the nature house does not have the capacity to support a new expanded program. A new program should also seek to utilize existing park infrastructure such as trails, parking, servicing and existing amenities and determined that a new centre should be in close proximity of existing infrastructure at the South Valley Entrance (Attachment 4). Metro Vancouver will be seeking input on the development of a new nature centre as part of the Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan Update. The update will seek to test stakeholder, First Nations, partner, and public current values, interests, concerns and desires for the park and new nature centre. Public engagement for this will commence in fall 2019. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the MVRD Board approve the South Valley Activity Area in Campbell Valley Regional Park

as the future location for the Campbell Valley Nature Centre.

2. That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated July 17, 2019, titled “Campbell Valley Regional Park – Proposed Nature Centre Location” and provide staff with alternate direction.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS There is currently no specific funding for a Nature Centre at Campbell Valley Regional Park. It is intended that staff will review revenue generating programs associated with a new facility. Additionally, staff will work closely with the Pacific Parklands Foundation to develop a capital fundraising campaign for this project. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Metro Vancouver is seeking input on nature house program as per the report dated March 6, 2019, titled “Campbell Valley Regional Park – Public Engagement and Management Plan Update”. Staff are now seeking MVRD Board approval to proceed with the South Valley Entrance in Campbell Valley Regional Park as the future location for the Campbell Valley Nature Centre.




Staff will engage with stakeholders, indigenous, partners, and the public on the proposed development as part of the Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan Update. This will test current values, interests, concerns and desires for the nature centre and ensure that the proposed program is broadly supported and reflective of regional parks user’s input. Staff will report back to the MVRD Board with a summary of the feedback received from the public engagement events. Staff recommends Alternative 1. Attachments (30736762) 1. Campbell Valley Regional Park – Park Map 2. Nature House and Interpretive Ponds 3. Interim Nature House at the Rowlatt Heritage Area 4. Nature Centre ‐ Site concept References 1. Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan – May 1989:

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/CampbellValleyRegionalParkManagementPlanMay1989.pdf

2. Campbell Valley Regional Park Management Plan Review – March 1988: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/CampbellValleyRegionalParkManagementPlanReviewMarch1998.pdf

30625119




http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/CampbellValleyRegionalParkManagementPlanReviewMarch1998.pdf

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/CampbellValleyRegionalParkManagementPlanReviewMarch1998.pdf

5.2 ATTACHMENT 1

30736762 Regional Parks Committee

5.2 ATTACHMENT 2 Campbell Valley Regional ParkNature House and Interpretive Ponds


5.2 ATTACHMENT 3 Campbell Valley Regional ParkInterim Nature House at the Rowlatt Heritage Area


5.2 ATTACHMENT 4


23323832


From: Doug Petersen, Division Manager (Acting), East Area, Regional Parks Janice Jarvis, Natural Resource Management Specialist, East Area, Regional Parks


Subject: Tynehead Regional Park - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Proposal for Forest Restoration

That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated July 15, 2019, titled “Tynehead Regional Park - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) Proposal for Forest Restoration”.

PURPOSE To advise the Regional Parks Committee of a potential forest ecosystem restoration project within Tynehead Regional Park, as a result of a parking facility being constructed in the City of Surrey.

BACKGROUND In June 2019, Metro Vancouver met with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure staff to review and guide the proposals for habitat compensation work at Tynehead Regional Park, outlined in the Ministry’s July 2, 2019 letter (Attachment). This report is being brought forward to alert the Regional Parks Committee to this project.

In 2016, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approached Metro Vancouver about the potential to compensate for habitat loss associated with parking facility being constructed in the City of Surrey’s north area.

The parking facility will be located south of the Fraser River on the north side of Highway 17, east of the Port Mann Bridge. The project will adversely affect up to 5.1 ha of terrestrial habitat, a small portion of which can be off-set within the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure right of way on-site. Though discussions, Tynehead Regional Park was identified as a potential compensation site for the remaining 5.0 hectares. The provincial project was delayed until project funding was confirmed in 2019.

OVERVIEW OF THE HABITAT COMPENSATION PROJECT The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has proposed the restoration of five hectares of forest within Tynehead Regional Park. The conceptual scope of work includes the following:

• Removal of non-native invasive plant species;• Planting of native plant species to develop into the desired native forest community; and,• Monitoring and maintenance of the restored area during the establishment period.

5.3


Tynehead Regional Park- Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Proposal for Forest Restoration Regional Parks Committee Closed Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

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The forest restoration sites being considered by Metro Vancouver are all ecologically compromised by past land use. Most areas were large lot rural residences with some agricultural use. The selected areas contain heavy infestations of Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Japanese hops and other non-native invasive species. The removal of these invasive species and replacement with native forest species, followed by long-term monitoring and maintenance, will improve the ecological health of the regional park.

Metro Vancouver has been conducting ecosystem restoration in Tynehead Regional Park for many years and this project fits well within management goals for the park. Habitat improvements of this scale are limited by current funds.

Next Steps Staff will continue to work with MOTI to investigate the feasibility of this project. If it is found to be in the interest of both parties, an agreement will be drafted and brought back to the MVRD Board.

ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS There are no financial implications to Metro Vancouver with respect to exploring the feasibility of this project. Any financial implications that may arise if this project was to proceed will be considered at the time an agreement is considered by the MVRD Board.

SUMMARY / CONCLUSION The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is interested in funding forest ecosystem restoration within Tynehead Regional Park as habitat compensation for one of their infrastructure projects. The proposed compensation project would improve the ecological condition of five hectares of regional park land. Removal of invasive species and restoration of a vegetation community composed of native species will be of benefit to the park. Metro Vancouver has been restoring ecologically compromised areas at Tynehead Regional Park for many years and this opportunity would advance restoration goals.

If this project is considered feasible, the next step will be to draft an agreement for MVRD Board approval.

Attachment: (30685144) Correspondence re: Habitat Off-setting in Tynehead Regional Park dated July 2, 2019, from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

23323832


Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Highways South Coast Region

Mailing Address: 310-1500 Woolridge StreetCoquitlam, BC V3K 0B8

Phone: 604-527-2111 Web Address: www.gov.bc.ca/tran

July 2, 2019

To: Janice Jarvis Natural Resource Management Specialist, Regional Parks, East Area Metro Vancouver Parks

Re: Habitat Off-setting in Tynehead Regional Park

INTRODUCTION

The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is proposing to construct the North Surrey Truck Parking project (the Project) located south of the Fraser River, within the City of Surrey, BC on the north side of Highway (Hwy) 17, east of the Port Mann Bridge. This paved parking facility will accommodate up to 150 trucks and 45 passenger cars with up to a total footprint of 5.3 hectares (ha).

Construction of the Project has the potential to adversely affect up to 5.1 ha of terrestrial habitat (mixture of old field grassland and riparian/upland forest). The MOTI is proposing to offset the loss of these ecological communities and associated wildlife habitat functions by restoring, enhancing, and/or creating habitat of equivalent size and type as close to the Project location as feasible. A small portion of the off-setting can be completed within MOTI ROW (0.1 hectares). The MOTI has proposed to implement this remaining forest restoration (5.0 hectares) offsite and is considering conducting this offsite habitat off-setting at Tynehead Regional Park.

This memo is intended to outline the general terms and conditions of MOTI offsite habitat off-setting at Tynehead Regional Park for review and ‘approval in-principle’ by the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. It presents the proposed locations for habitat restoration at Tynehead Regional Park that would fulfill MOTI’s needs for offsite habitat offsetting, outlines the scope of the proposed restoration measures, and identifies the responsibilities of the respective parties in terms of design, construction, and monitoring.

PROPOSED LOCATION

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks has provided a map titled, “Tynehead Regional Park Forest Restoration Sites” (attached), which indicates areas of opportunity to implement restoration and provided prioritized areas to receive restoration treatments. Areas A, B, C, on the attached figure total approximately 5.9 ha, which presents ample opportunity to fulfill the up to 5.0 ha of offsite offsetting that MOTI is seeking. The MOTI proposes to complete forest restoration within areas A and B, and approximately one-third of area C, the exact boundaries of which to be determined in collaboration with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. In total, up to 5.0 ha of upland forest habitat, though invasive plant management and replanting, would be restored within Tynehead Regional Park.

5.3 ATTACHMENT

30685144 Regional Parks Committee

Page 2

PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK

The conceptual scope of work for restoration of the identified areas consists of removing non-native invasive plant species (e.g. blackberry), planting native plant species to promote the desired native forest community at each site through assisted ecological succession, and maintenance and monitoring of the restored areas during the establishment period (up to 10 years as per conditions stated by Metro Vancouver Regional Parks). On November 23, 2016, representatives from Metro Vancouver Parks, MOTI, and MOTI’s consulting ecologists from Stantec Consulting Ltd. (Stantec) visited the site to view the existing condition of identified restoration opportunities and priority areas. A subsequent meeting and site visit occurred on June 25, 2019 to review areas A, B, and C and discuss next steps towards delivering the habitat off-setting. Field surveys confirmed the restoration opportunities at areas A, B, and C are technically feasible and would fulfill the offsetting requirements of MOTI’s Project in terms of ecological equivalency, proximity, and habitat functions.

PROPOSED RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPECTIVE PARTIES

The restoration of up to 5.0 ha of forested habitat within Tynehead Regional Park would be a collaborative undertaking among the MOTI and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.

MOTI would provide funding, project management, and environmental coordination services. We would also use our ‘as and when’ consulting services contract with Stantec for the restoration design (includes an invasive plant management plan, and a replanting plan), design-review, tendering, construction monitoring, performance monitoring, and maintenance/management recommendations.

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks would provide permission and access to conduct this restoration on Regional Park land, including maintenance; technical review of proposed designs, tenders, and monitoring and maintenance reports; and act as liaison with park users, the Regional Parks Committee, the Metro Vancouver Board, and local stewardship groups, if necessary.

The delivery of the restoration works has not been finalized, and this aspect of the project is proposed for further discussion with Metro Vancouver. It is understood that the MOTI would be financially responsible for the works and may undertake commissioning the design, design-review, tendering, construction, construction monitoring, performance monitoring, maintenance recommendations, and maintenance measures for an agreed upon period. Alternatively, MOTI could provide funds to Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to manage the long-term maintenance and monitoring period.

A landscape contracting company selected through the tendering process would be responsible for invasive plant removal, installation, and maintenance of the restoration measures and their work would be subject to monitoring for compliance with the design plan, details, and specifications, as well as Metro Vancouver Regional Parks review.


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CLOSURE

The conceptual framework presented within this memo is intended to provide sufficient assurance for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to a) grant MOTI ‘agreement in-principle’ to utilize 5.0 ha of Tynehead Regional Park for the purposes of offsite habitat restoration associated with the Project, and b) grant permission from the Metro Vancouver Board to enter into negotiations for a Licence Agreement. Please feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, or clarifications by phone at 604-527-2258 or by email at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Virginia Dragan Environmental Coordinator Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Attachment: Tynehead Regional Park Forest Restoration Sites c.c. Matthew Ramsay, Stantec Vegetation/Restoration Ecologist Derek Drummond, Stantec Project Manager Kyle Halvorson, Stantec Assistant Project Manager


mailto:[email protected]

Tynehead Regional Park Forest Restoration Sites

Last modified 5/18/2017

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30689817


From: Mike Redpath, Director, Regional Parks

Date: September 11, 2019 Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

Subject: Manager’s Report – Regional Parks

RECOMMENDATION That the Regional Parks Committee receive for information the report dated September 11, 2019, titled “Manager’s Report – Regional Parks”.

REGIONAL PARKS COMMITTEE 2019 WORK PLAN Attachment 1 to this report sets out the Regional Parks Committee Work Plan for 2019. The status of work program elements is indicated as pending, in progress, or complete. The listing is updated as needed to include new issues that arise, items requested by the Committee and changes in the schedule.

BELCARRA REGIONAL PARK - METRO NORTH TRANSMISSION PROJECT UPDATE Metro Vancouver has been notified by BC Hydro that a planned Metro North Transmission (MNT) project is now on hold. The transmission upgrade project would have some impact on Belcarra Regional Park because the works are proposed to take place within the existing hydro right of way that partially runs through the park. BC Hydro has advised Metro Vancouver the project is on hold because demand in the area has not grown to original forecasts. BC Hydro expects to communicate a new project date and provide further details sometime in 2020.

CAPILANO RIVER / GROUSE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK SERVICE YARD RELOCATION UPDATE The Capilano River/ Grouse Mountain Regional Park service yard has been located within the GVWD owned Capilano Watershed Service Yard, adjacent to the Cleveland Dam, since the early 1990s. Relocation of the park service yard is underway in order to make room for the installation of a power house that will provide backup power for the Capilano Raw Water pump station. The powerhouse is required to ensure continuity of water service in the case of an emergency power outage. There is insufficient space within the Capilano Service Yard site to accommodate both the park service yard and the Powerhouse.

In July 2019, a temporary park service yard site was established in an existing laydown area adjacent to Camp Capilano within the park. Modular office and storage buildings were relocated to the temporary park service yard from the Capilano Watershed Service Yard site. Design of a permanent park service yard will proceed through 2019, with construction planned for 2020. Permanent service yard facilities will be located in disturbed areas to avoid impacts to park ecology and visitor experience.

5.4


Manager’s Report – Regional Parks Regional Parks Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

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REGIONAL PARKS ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS At the May 15, 2019 Regional Parks Committee’s meeting, the Committee requested staff report back with information and timelines of Metro Vancouver’s publications that include information or highlights of regional parks. Below is the list of publications created on annual basis that highlight regional parks: The Check it Out! Nature Program Guide is published in the spring, summer and fall. The Guide promotes park events and activities for all ages to learn about, connect with and enjoy nature in regional parks. Regional Parks Natural Resource Stewardship News is published in the spring and fall. Stewardship News acknowledges existing stewardship efforts, highlights upcoming projects and provides information about natural resource management and stewardship. Regional Parks Annual Report is published in the spring and provides an overview of Regional Parks, accomplishments from the previous year including statistics on services, programs and volunteers. REGIONAL PARKS EVENTS Boundary Bay Regional Park - Beach Bonanza, June 19 – 26, 2019 Between June 19 and 26, the annual Beach Bonanza event was held at Boundary Bay Regional Park. Metro Vancouver staff welcomed visiting students on field trips as they arrived and engaged them at interactive activity stations where they learned about caring for beach creatures, reducing waste, and how to be stewards of the environment. Over 4200 students and accompanying adults attended during the event. Surrey Bend Regional Park – Nature Play Dates Kick-off Event, July 6, 2019

The first ever ‘Nature Play Dates’ event was held at the Nature Discovery Area of Surrey Bend Regional Park. Nearly 80 participants learned first-hand the importance of unrestricted play in nature. Participants gathered sticks to build forts, got their hands dirty making mud pies and dove into the tall grasses to find interesting insects. Metro Vancouver staff were joined by the City of Surrey’s stewardship department and librarians form the Surrey public library to facilitate exploration and to help explain why play in a natural setting is so beneficial.

Boundary Bay Regional Park

Surrey Bend Regional Park


http://www.metrovancouver.org/events/check-it-out/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/get-involved/volunteer/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/learn/plans-and-reports/research/Pages/default.aspx

Manager’s Report – Regional Parks Regional Parks Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2019

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Belcarra Regional Park – Creatures of the Not So Deep, July 14, 2019 Metro Vancouver staff and Beachkeeper volunteers hosted the annual ‘Creatures of the Not-So-Deep’ event July 14th. Park visitors were treated to three beach seines, where they helped pull in a large net full of marine life. The participants uncovered creatures like the Bay Pipefish and Starry Flounder, not usually seen above the tide line. All creatures caught were released. The Pacific Parklands Foundation, Parks Canada and the Port Moody Ecological Society were also on hand with displays and activities. Younger visitors were kept entertained with stories and songs thanks to the Port Moody Public Library. It was an excellent way to appreciate and enjoy the marine life of the region. Lynn Headwaters Regional Park - Mountains 101, July 13 to September 14, 2019

This summer, Metro Vancouver staff are engaging park visitors at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park through a new event series called Mountains 101. From biodiversity to climate change to backcountry preparedness, this four-part series will explore various mountain related themes with a focus on the actions people can take to protect themselves and the environment while connecting with nature in the backcountry. Based at BC Mills House, notable naturalists, backcountry experts and park interpreters

will showcase displays and deliver presentations related to the theme of each session. Attachment (30751711) Regional Parks Committee 2019 Work Plan 30689817

Belcarra Regional Park

Lynn Headwaters Regional Park - Mills House


2019 Regional Parks Committee Work Plan Report Date: September 11, 2019

Priorities 1st Quarter Status

Campbell Valley Regional Park – Public Engagement and Management Plan Update Complete George Ross Legacy three‐year Agreement (Pacific Parklands Foundation) Complete Land Acquisition Annual Update Complete Minnekhada Regional Park – Evaluating Human and Bear Conflicts Update Complete Natural Resource Management Program Update Complete Pacific Parklands Foundation Update Complete Regional Parks Asset Management Policy Complete Regional Parks Overview Complete South Cultural Landscape – Belcarra Regional Park Complete Sustainable Corporate Building Policy Update Complete Volunteer Framework Update Complete 2nd Quarter

Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area History Complete External Agency Reporting – Delta Heritage Air Park & Pacific Parklands Foundation Complete Protect Campaign – 2019 Update Complete Public Engagement for new Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Management Plan Complete Regional Parks Annual Report for 2018 Complete 3rd Quarter

Aldergrove Regional Park (East) – Agreement with City of Abbotsford Complete Regional Parks Committee Tour of Regional Parks Complete Review/Renew Park Association Contribution Agreements Complete Regional Parks Naming Policy In Process Delta Nature Reserve (At Burns Bog) In Progress Burnaby Lake Regional Park – Agreement with the City of Burnaby Pending Capilano Regional Park ‐ Replace Capilano Service Yard Update Pending 4th Quarter

Regional Recreational Greenways Plan Update In Progress Regional Parks Annual Budget and 5‐year Financial Plan In Progress Regional Parks Building Asset Management Update In Progress Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Management Plan Final Approval In Progress Crippen Regional Park Davis Orchard ‐ Capital Project Update Pending Catching the Spirit Society Update Pending External Agency Reporting – Delta Heritage Air Park & Pacific Parklands Foundation Pending Natural Resource Management Framework Pending Pacific Parklands Foundation Agreement Pending Pacific Spirit Regional Parks Service Yard Update Pending Public Programing Strategy Update Pending Regional Parks Permitting Framework Pending Regional Parks Regulation Bylaw Pending Regional Parks Visitor Satisfaction Survey Results Pending Regional Parks 30 year Financial Plan Scenarios Pending

5.4 ATTACHMENT

30751711


To: Parks Committee

From: Regional Planning Committee


Subject: Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report

At its July 5, 2019 meeting, the Regional Planning Committee considered the attached report and received a presentation from Dr. Lawrence Frank, Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia on the related Study. The Committee passed the motion as presented in the report and suggested this matter be presented to the Regional Parks Committee.

This matter will be considered by the MVRD Board at its meeting of July 26, 2019 and is now before the Regional Parks Committee for its information.

Attachments “Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report”, dated June 11, 2019

30354160

6.1


30043913

To: Metro Vancouver Regional District Board From: Erin Rennie, Senior Planner, Regional Planning Date: June 11, 2019 Meeting Date: July 5, 2019 Subject: Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report RECOMMENDATION That the MVRD Board: a) receive for information the report dated June 11, 2019, titled “Where Matters: Health and

Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report”; and b) forward the “Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report” and

its attachment to member jurisdiction Mayors and Councils for information. PURPOSE To report out to the Regional Planning Committee and MVRD Board on the results of the Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live study and to convey the associated Policy Brief (Attachment). BACKGROUND Since 2016, Metro Vancouver has been part of a research partnership led by Dr. Larry Frank at UBC’s Health and Community Design Lab (School of Population and Public Health) to study and quantify the health and economic benefits of walkable communities and access to parks. At its September 7, 2019 meeting, the Regional Planning Committee received an interim report on the research findings titled, “Walkability Surface and Health and Economic Benefits Study Update” (Reference 1). The study (referred to in this report as the “Where Matters Study”) is complete and the findings are presented in this report. THE WHERE MATTERS STUDY The promotion of public health is a fundamental objective of community and regional planning. Underpinning many of the strategies and actions in Metro 2040 is a commitment to promoting the health and well-being of the population by:

• focusing growth in Urban Centres and Frequent Transit Development Areas (Strategy 1.2); • developing healthy and complete communities with access to a range of services and

amenities (Strategy 4.2); and • coordinating land use and transportation to encourage transit, multiple-occupancy vehicles,

cycling, and walking (Strategy 5.1).

While there is a general recognition of the association between walkability and park access and better health outcomes, prior to the Where Matters Study the extent of that relationship had not yet been quantified in this region. Metro Vancouver’s interest in participating in this study was to better understand the relationship between health outcomes and built environment factors that local

6.1 ATTACHMENT


Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report Regional Planning Committee Regular Meeting Date: July 5, 2019

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governments manage through their local and regional policies and plans. A further benefit of this study was the ability to quantify the economic benefits of investing in walkability and park access though the calculation of avoided health care costs. Findings of the Where Matters Study were intended to inform the Urban Centre and Frequent Transit Development Area (FTDA) Policy Review and the update to Metro 2040. The three aims of the Where Matters Study were to:

1. examine how built environment features are related to physical activity behaviours, body mass index, and chronic disease;

2. investigate whether the relationships between the built environment and chronic disease differ by individual age and income; and

3. evaluate whether built environment features are inversely related to healthcare utilization and costs.

Study Partnership The Where Matters Study was funded through a partnership between Metro Vancouver, TransLink, Vancouver Coastal Health, the City of Vancouver, the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and UBC’s Health and Community Design Lab. Fraser Health was also involved as a key partner in the creation of the My Health My Community data used for the study. This inter-agency partnership reflects the fact that in Canada many agencies and levels of government share overlapping responsibility for policy issues related to ‘health and the built environment’. Bringing together representatives from these different agencies allowed for greater perspective on the extent and depth of the issues and policy frameworks. Determinants of Health Many factors have an influence on health outcomes including genetics, lifestyle, age, background and other personal, social, environmental, and economic factors. The Government of Canada has identified the following as the main determinants of health: income and social status, employment and working conditions, education and literacy, physical environments, social supports and coping skills, healthy behaviours, access to health services, biology and genetic endowment, gender, and culture. The “social determinants of health” refer to a specific group of social and economic factors within the broader determinants of health such as an individual’s place in society, income, education, and experiences of discrimination. Health equity is the absence of unfair systems and policies (including those related to the social determinants of health) that cause health inequalities. Health equity seeks to reduce inequalities and to increase access to opportunities and conditions conducive to health for all. The Where Matters Study looks at multiple health-related impacts of two of the determinants of health – built and natural environment as well as their collective influence on healthy behaviours. Other determinants of health also impact health outcomes and the cost of health care. To more fully understand the impact of physical environments, this study stratifies outcomes by age and income.



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Methodology This study included three main tasks: linking the datasets to determine health outcomes, stratifying by age and income, and calculating the cost of illness. Task 1: The Where Matters Study linked a Built Environment Database (2011 Walkability Index + Regional Accessibility + Park Access) to two health outcomes data sets (the My Health My Community Survey Results, and the BC Generations Survey). In this way the built environment factors for every postal code (2011 Walkability Index + Regional Accessibility + Park Access) were connected to the health outcomes for the people living in that postal code (My Health My Community + BC Generations) to allow the researchers to draw conclusions about how the built environment contributes to different rates of various health outcomes. The six health outcomes studied were: physical activity, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stress, and sense of community. The Built Environment Database was then grouped into five Place Type groupings ranging from least to most walkable and from the lowest to highest level of park access. This was done to facilitate the analysis and subsequent ability to convey study results. Task 2: The health outcome results were then stratified by age and income. This helped to identify patterns that were consistent across all age or income groups as well as instances where the relationship between the built environment and health are contingent on demographic factors like age or income. Task 3: Finally, a “Cost of Illness” methodology was applied to the results for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This methodology involves multiplying the annual direct health care cost of chronic diseases by the prevalence in a population. This is a first and partial step in estimating health care cost relationships with the built and natural environment. Foremost, it does not include “indirect costs” such as workforce productivity and absenteeism. This along with other indirect costs are expected to have an even larger economic impact. The study design included linking reported health outcomes from the BC Generations Database of 14,000 participants in the lower mainland with participants’ BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) costs. It was one of the first efforts to attempt to directly assess built and natural environment relationships with actual health care costs. Unfortunately, MSP does not include extended medical plan expenses (i.e. for mental health care, pharmaceutical costs etc.) and was therefore determined to be insufficient for an accurate calculation of economic impacts. A well-known and commonly used “cost of illness” method was used instead to estimate direct health care costs related to chronic diseases in different physical environments. COMPONENTS OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT DATABASE The Built Environment Database combined the 2011 Walkability Index with park accessibility and Regional Accessibility. 2011 Walkability Index Walkability is a measure of the physical characteristics of the urban environment at the local or neighbourhood level that support walking. Four input variables are combined to create the 2011 Walkability Index. These input variables have been shown through numerous peer-reviewed studies



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to predict walking, physical activity, and obesity. These variables were measured within a 1 kilometre road network distance from the centre of each postal code in the lower mainland and include:

1. Net Residential Density – the ratio of dwellings to residential land area 2. Commercial Floor Area Ratio – the ratio between the total commercial floor area of a building

to the land area the property is built on 3. Land Use Mix – the balance or “evenness of mix” between building floor areas of six

generalized land uses; and 4. Intersection Density – the concentration of intersections (network connectivity).

Park Access Park Access is a measure of the number of public parks that can be publicly accessed. The more parks within walking distance, the greater the neighbourhood’s park access score. One limitation of this measure is it does not consider the size or quality of the park. Regional Accessibility Regional Accessibility is a measure of ease of travel to major regional locations. This was defined as the number of major regional centres that can be reached by a 45-minute transit ride during the AM peak (weekday) period. This measure reflects the fact that overall trip distance also influences transportation mode choice in addition to the quality of the built environment. Place Types Once the Built Environment Database was developed and each postal area was scored, the postal areas were grouped into quintiles (five groups of roughly equal number of counts) which for the purposes of this study have been renamed “Place Types”. The Place Type groups were then refined so that the median residential density for each group was, respectively, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 60 dwelling units/acre (Table 1). Table 1: Place Types and associated median residential density

Quintile Place Type Name Median Residential Density Quintile 1 Car Dependent 5 dwelling units/acre Quintile 2 Somewhat Car Dependent 10 dwelling units/acre Quintile 3 Somewhat Walkable 15 dwelling units/acre Quintile 4 Moderately Walkable 25 dwelling units/acre Quintile 5 Walkable 60 dwelling units/acre

The purpose of the Place Type groupings was to allow for the analysis of the health and economic outcomes. It allowed researchers to draw general conclusions about the health outcomes of different types of neighbourhoods. The Built Environment Database was also divided into five Park Quintiles. These were not labeled with a “Place Type” name. Park Quintile 1 were the neighbourhoods with the fewest parks within walking distance (0-1), while Park Quintile 5 were the neighbourhoods with the most parks within walking distance (6 or more).



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FINDINGS – WALKABILITY Health Benefits of Walkability The results of the study show that higher levels of walkability are associated with higher rates of walking for transportation and higher rates of residents achieving the recommended amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week (150 minutes per week). Those living in the most walkable areas (Quintile 5) were 45% more likely to walk for transportation and 16% more likely to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity per week than those living in the least walkable neighbourhoods (Quintile 1). This finding was especially high for the lowest income earners (less than $60,000 per year) who were 51% more likely to achieve recommended amounts of physical activity if they lived in a Quintile 5 neighbourhood as opposed to a Quintile 1 neighbourhood. Compared to those in the least walkable neighbourhoods (Quintile 1), residents in the most walkable neighbourhoods (Quintile 5) were also:

• 39% less likely to have diabetes1; • 28% less likely to have hypertension; and • 23% less likely to suffer from stress.

Furthermore, those living in the most walkable neighoburhoods were 46% more likely to have a strong sense of community belonging as compared to those living in the least walkable places. This last finding was even higher for the eldest age cohort (those over the age of 60) who were 91% more likely of having a strong sense of community than those over 60 living in the least walkable places. Economic Benefits of Walkability A cost of illness method was used to estimate the total annual direct cost2 related to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for each of the walkability quintiles. All other things being equal, the findings show that more walkable neighbourhoods could be associated with lower direct health care costs related to chronic disease. Compared to a car-dependent neighbourhood (Q1), the estimated direct health care costs in a walkable neighbourhood (Q5) could be:

• 52% less for diabetes; • 47% less for hypertension; and • 31% less for heart disease.

FINDINGS – PARK ACCESS Health Benefits of Park Access The results of the study consistently show that higher levels of park access is associated with higher rates of walking for leisure and higher likelihood of achieving the recommended weekly levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (150 minutes per week). Residents living in the neighbourhoods with the greatest park access (Park Quintile 5) were 20% more likely to walk for

1 No differentiation between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes was made. It has been estimated that 90% of diabetes cases among Canadian adults are type 2. 2 Direct costs include: Drugs, Day Surgery, Inpatient Hospital Care, Ambulatory Care, Outpatient Clinic Hospital Care, Outpatient Emergency Hospital Care, Physician Care, and Other Hospital Care



Page 7 of 10

recreation and 33% more likely to meet the recommended weekly physical activity rates as compared to the neighbourhoods with the lowest park access (Park Quintile 1). The impact of park access on physical activity was especially high for lower income earners (annual incomes below $60,000) who were 54% more likely to meet physical activity rates when living close to many parks (Park Quintile 5) as compared to low income earners living close to few parks (Park Quintile 1). Compared to those with the least access to parks (Park Quintile 1), residents with the most access to parks (Park Quintile 5) were also:

• 53% less likely to have diabetes; • 35% less likely to have high blood pressure; • 39% less likely to have heart disease; • 19% less likely to suffer from stress; and • 22% more likely to have a strong sense of community and belonging.

Economic Benefits of Park Access A cost of illness method was used to estimate the total annual direct cost3 related to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for each of the park count quintiles. All other things being equal, the findings show that neighbourhoods with more parks could be associated with lower direct health care costs related to chronic disease. Compared to neighbourhoods with 0-1 parks (Park Quintile 1), the estimated direct health care costs in a neighbourhood with 6 or more parks (Park Quintile 5) could be:

• 75% less for diabetes; • 69% less for hypertension; and • 69% less for heart disease.

Future Research The Where Matters Study did not account for air pollution impacts that are spatially related with built and natural environment features; nor did it address health impacts of the pedestrian environment including seating, lighting, crossing characteristics, and eyes on the street. A subsequent set of analyses may address these limitations and more directly assess health and related costs and benefits of transit investment and also evaluate impacts of housing displacement. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The Where Matters Study demonstrates clear benefits of investing in improved walkability and greater park access, both in terms of public health benefits and cost savings. This confirms that improved health and economic savings are substantial co-benefits of many of Metro 2040’s long-term strategies including directing growth to compact centres and corridors with good transit access and developing complete communities. The Where Matters Study partnership was developed, in part, to support the Metro 2040 Urban Centre and FTDA Policy Review, in recognition that while the current growth framework has been

3 Direct costs include: Drugs, Day Surgery, Inpatient Hospital Care, Ambulatory Care, Outpatient Clinic Hospital Care, Outpatient Emergency Hospital Care, Physician Care, and Other Hospital Care



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highly effective in focusing growth into walkable centres and corridors, there are opportunities to further integrate health into Metro 2040’s policies. Some of the potential policy implications from this study include the following:

• Urban Centres and FTDA policies are supporting walkability. The 2011 Walkability Index map has a high level of overlap with the Metro 2040 Urban Centre and FTDA growth overlays. This demonstrates that municipalities are implementing the regional vision in Metro 2040 and successfully building compact, walkable places within their Urban Centre and FTDA boundaries.

• The connection between walkability and improved health outcomes demonstrates that local governments have a role to play in supporting health and wellness. Communities can support better health outcomes by building compact residential areas, increasing intersection density, supporting compact commercial development, building mixed-use neighbourhoods, and improving access to parks.

• Focusing growth in areas that are already walkable and with good park access could mean improved health for more residents and workers and a reduced health care cost burden overall. In this way, focusing growth in walkable places supports health equity because it can provide access to healthy places to a greater proportion of the overall population.

• Housing affordability in many of the region’s highly walkable neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods with good park access is a growing concern.

• Additional regional policies are required to support inclusivity of all income groups in existing and emerging walkable neighbourhoods. This includes policies that increase the supply of affordable rental and family-friendly housing in walkable centres and corridors. Failing to do so is likely to result in a widening inequities in health outcomes across income groups.

• Similarly, additional regional policies to support income inclusive housing policies in neighbourhoods with high park access may promote health equity across the region.

• Some municipalities with Urban Centres and FTDAs are still working towards implementing the regional vision of walkable centres and corridors close to transit. Additional regional policy guidance, knowledge sharing, and updating Metro 2040 policies to include more specific criteria and targets for growth in Urban Centres and FTDAs may further support implementation.

• Sprawling and car-dependent development patterns within the Urban Containment Boundary but outside of Urban Centres and FTDAs continue to be observed and perpetuated in communities across the region. Generally, these areas have low walkability and lower health outcomes. This dispersed development pattern dilutes from the vibrancy and market potential of existing Urban Centres and FTDAs, contributes to increased traffic congestion and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and contributes to negative health outcomes for residents and workers. Renewed commitment to the growth framework in Metro 2040 is required to ensure more of the region’s residents have access to healthy, walkable neighbourhoods.

• Stronger connections between regional Urban Centre and FTDA policies and complete community policies are required. Further integrating health and applying an equity lens to the regional growth framework in the update to Metro 2040 may support the deeper integration of policy areas.



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These findings will help inform the Urban Centre and FTDA Policy Review as well as other Metro Vancouver planning work. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the MVRD Board:

a) receive for information the report dated June 11, 2019, titled “Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report”; and

b) forward the “Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report” and its attachments to member jurisdiction Mayors and Councils for information.

2. That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated June 11, 2019, titled “Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Final Report” and provide alternate direction to staff.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Metro Vancouver was a partner in the Where Matters Study, and contributed a total of $45,000 over two years. All funds were part of Board-approved Regional Planning budgets. The total cost of the project was $320,000 over two years, which included $140,000 from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, $90,000 from the City of Vancouver, and $45,000 from TransLink. The project also leveraged a $280,000 grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Since 2016, Metro Vancouver has been a contributing partner to the Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live research study led by Dr. Larry Frank through UBC’s Health and Community Design Lab. The study findings have been released, and demonstrate strong associations between high levels of walkability and high levels of park access with better health outcomes. Lower levels of walkability and lower levels of park access are similarly associated with greater likelihood of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and stress-related illness. The associated health care costs of treating these diseases were calculated to demonstrate the economic benefit of investing in walkability improvements and park access. The Where Matters Study documents significant associations between built and natural environment features and health outcomes and costs in two separate datasets. It links the My Health My Community (33,000 participants) and the BC Generations (14,000 participants) datasets with the 2011 Metro Vancouver Walkability and Park Database. It found similar relationships between walkability and park access with health outcomes for these two independent datasets. It is one of the first studies to directly link a wide array of physical and mental health outcomes with built and natural environment features and may be the first to monetize these relationships. The Where Matters Study also reinforces the Metro 2040 growth framework and the regional vision of focusing growth in a network of compact and complete communities along the Frequent Transit Network. Municipalities across the region are building walkable communities, especially in Urban Centres and FTDAs, and these places are associated with better health outcomes. One of the implications of this study is that policies to support income inclusivity in neighbourhoods that already



Page 10 of 10

have high levels of walkability and park access are critical to ensuring health equity among income groups in this region. If lower income residents are forced to live in areas with lower levels of walkability and park access due to housing affordability drivers, it will exacerbate health inequities between economic groups. The study will be used to inform the Metro 2040 Urban Centre and FTDA Policy Review.

Attachment Where Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We Live Policy Brief, UBC Health and Community Design Lab, May 6, 2019

References 1. Walkability Surface and Health and Economic Benefits Study Update, Staff Report, Regional

Planning Committee, September 7, 20182. Documenting Health and Economic Benefits of Sustainable Development and Transport

Investment in the Lower Mainland Study, Staff Report, Regional Planning Committee, February 3,2017

30043913


http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/GVRD/RD_2018-Sep-28_AGE.pdf#search=%22Walkability%20Surface%20and%20Health%20and%20Economic%20Benefits%20Study%20Update%22%20

http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/GVRD/RD_2018-Sep-28_AGE.pdf#search=%22Walkability%20Surface%20and%20Health%20and%20Economic%20Benefits%20Study%20Update%22%20

http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/RegionalPlanning/Regional_Planning_Committee_Agenda-2017_Feb_3.pdf#search=%22Documenting%20Health%20and%20Economic%20Benefits%22



Where MattersHealth & Economic Impacts of Where We Live

Project Advisory Panel:Mr. David Hendrickson,

Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia Mr. Sam Khany, City of Vancouver

Mr. Lyle Walker, TransLink Ms. Erin Rennie, Metro Vancouver

May 6, 2019Report Development:

Mr. Victor Ngo, Research ScientistMr. Stuart Hamre, Graphic Designer

Research Team: Dr. Lawrence Frank, UBC, Study Lead

Dr. Jat Sandhu, Vancouver Coastal HealthMr. Binay Adhikari, Doctoral Candidate

Dr. Andy Hong, Postdoctoral ScholarDr. Anandvir Saini, Research Assistant

Ms. Ellen Demlow, Vancouver Coastal HealthMs. Yumian Hu, Vancouver Coastal Health

Prepared By:

https://health-design.spph.ubc.ca/


DDavis

Text Box

ATTACHMENT

Walkability and Green Space are Preventive Medicine

There is a public health crisis happening right now. Total health expenditure in Canada was estimated to be up to $253.5 billion ($6,839 per person) for 2018. This represents 11% of Canada’s gross domestic product according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. For example, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes place tremendous pressure on our healthcare system (see Figure 1).

There is an increasing consensus that the post-al code of the neighbourhood where we live is as important as our genetic code. Studies

have shown that land-use decisions and trans-portation investments to enhance neighborhood walkability and access to green space can signif-icantly affect how you travel and your physical activity, and exposure to air pollution, traffic safety and crime, and noise.

Very few studies have examined how transpor-tation investment, neighbourhood walkability and access to green space are associated with less chronic disease and lower health care cost (see Figure 2). To date, existing evidence used to inform major transportation investment deci-

sions have rarely accounted for the potential health impacts and related costs of these fac-tors.

The Where Matters Study aims to incorporate health into local and regional policy-making by examining the multiple pathways linking the way our communities are planned and de-signed with people’s travel and physical activ-ity patterns, chronic disease risk and health care cost.

Causal Pathway Linking Environment, Health, and Cost

Figure 2. Frank, L.D., Iroz-Elardo, N., MacLeod, K.E., & Hong, A. (2019). Pathways from built environment to health: A conceptual framework linking behavior and exposure-based impacts. Journal of Transport & Health, 12, 319-335.

Chronic Disease BurdenProportion of Population Chronic Disease 2013

Figure 1. Canadian health context using My Health, My Community survey for Metro Vancouver, and CCHS for BC and Canada.


The Where Matters Study DesignThe Where Matters Study is a unique partner-ship between the UBC Health and Community Design Lab and multiple government agencies and health authorities, including Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Metro Vancou-ver, TransLink, and the City of Vancouver. The study had three aims:

1. To investigate the relationship between built and natural environment and health

2. To investigate how the relationships be-tween built and natural environment and health vary across income and age groups

3. To investigate the extent to which walka-ble environments can reduce health care costs

The study used two existing and unique health datasets, the My Health, My Community Sur-vey survey conducted betwen 2013 and 2014 (representing 33,000 individuals), and the

BC Generations Project survey conducted be-tween 2009 and 2013 (representing 18,000 individuals) that provided highly detailed in-formation about people’s health & wellbeing and anonymous health records.

These datasets were then combined with a detailed built and natural environment data-base that measures neighbourhood walka-bility. Using this information, we studied the relationship between where people lived and how walkable their neighbourhood was to six health outcomes: (1) physical activity; (2) obe-sity; (3) diabetes; (4) heart disease; (5) stress; and (6) sense of community.

See the full technical report for more details. The Where Matter Study also built upon an existing study funded by the Canadian Insti-tutes of Health Research (CIHR) to calculate the healthcare cost savings of living in a more walkable neighbourhood.

My Health, MyCommunity (MHMC)DatabaseVancouver Coastal andFraser Health Authorities

BC Cancer Agency

BuiltEnvironmentDatabase

BC Gen+PopData

Linkage

Linkage

CharacterizeBuilt

Environment

PredictBehaviours and

Exposures

PredictPublicHealth

ApplyCost ofIllness

MonetizedHealth

Outcome

The Monetization of Health Outcomes


Measuring the Components of WalkabilityWalkability is a measure of the physical characteristics of the urban environment at the local or neighbourhood level that support walking. In Metro Vancouver, walkability has been quantified by the Health and Community Design Lab using the method developed by Dr. Larry Frank and validated by numerous studies in North America. The walkability of an area is defined using four measures which, combined, create a Walkability Index.

To measure how walkability differed across the region, we used every postal code in Metro Vancouver. To calculate the walkability index, we drew a one kilometre area around each postal code (also known as a street network buffer). The yellow dot is the center of the post-al code. The bold dark lines represent the walkable road network segments. The green polygon is the 1 km buffer. We use the green polygon to measure the four components of walkability. This produces a highly detailed map of walkability across the region.

Five different types of neighbourhoods based on walkability

The concentration of dwelling units. Higher values indicate a greater number of dwelling units relative to the residential land area.

The ratio between the total commercial floor area of a building to the land area of the property it is built on. Higher values indicate less surface parking and buildings set close to sidewalks and street.

The balance between building floor areas of six land uses (retail, entertainment/recreation, civic/educational, office, single-family residential, and multi-family residential), providing more opportunities for different activities in the same area.

The measure of road network connectivity. Higher values indicate smaller block sizes and a greater number of intersections.

Behaviour-Sheds


Additional Components of a Walkable Community

Park Access: Number of Parks Within 1 km Walking DistanceRegional Accessibility: Number of Regional Centres Accessible by Transit in 45 Minutes in Morning Rush Hour.

Park access is a measure of the number of public parks that can be publicly accessed. To measure the number of parks, we used the street network buffer used to create the walkability index. Blue represents areas with a high number of parks (6 or more) and red represents zero to 1 parks nearby.

Regional accessibility is a measure of ease of travel to major regional locations. Regional accessibility was defined as the number of major regional centres that can be reached by a 45-minute transit ride during the morning rush hour. Red represents areas with lower levels of regional accessibility and blue represents high accessibility.

Access to Parks Regional Accessibility


*5 dwellings per acre *10 dwellings per acre *15 dwellings per acre *25 dwellings per acre *60 dwellings per acre

Belcarra Hammond,Maple Ridge

Cloverdale, Surrey

Suter Brook Village, Port Moody

West End, Vancouver

Other examples: Eagle Harbour

(West Vancouver), Shaughnessy (Vancouver)

Other examples: Capital Hill (Burnaby), Seafair

(Richmond)

Other examples: Dundarave (West

Vancouver), Sunset (Vancouver)

Other examples: Brighouse (Richmond),

Suter Brook (Port Moody)

Other examples: Lower Lonsdale (North Vancouver), Downtown

(New Westminster)

Place Types by Walkability

* Numbers represent median value for each place type. Regional Parks Committee

Chronic Disease Findingsdefinitions from victor

Understanding how where you live matters for your health

Walkability Park Access

Obesity

PhysicalActivity

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Stress

Sense of Community

People living in a somewhat walkable area are 20% more likely to walk for transportation and people in a walkable area are 45% more likely compared to those living in a car dependent area. People in a walkable area are 17% more likely to meet the weekly recommended level of physical activity compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 20% more likely to walk for leisure or recreation and 33% more likely to meet the weekly recommended level of physical activity compared to those living in an area with no parks.

People living in a walkable area are 42% less likely to be obese compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 43% less likely to be obese compared to those living in an area with no parks.

People living in a moderately walkable area are 27% less likely to have diabetes and people in a walkable area are 39% less likely to have diabetes compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 37% less likely to have diabetes compared to those living in an area with no parks.

People living in a moderately walkable area are 14% less likely to have heart disease compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 39% less likely to have heart disease compared to those living in an area with no parks.

People living in a somewhat car dependent area are 19% less likely to have stressful days and people in a walkable area are 23% less likely to have stressful days compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 19% less likely to have stressful days compared to those living in an area with no parks.

People living in a moderately walkable area are 24% more likely to have a strong sense of community belonging and people in a walkable area are 47% more likely compared to those living in a car dependent area.

People living in an area with many parks (6 or more) are 23% more likely to have a strong sense of community belonging compared to those living in an area with no parks.


Understanding Economic Benefits for Chronic Disease

$36,865,283$38,657,385

$36,019,275

$28,365,938

$17,566,935

0

5000000

10000000

15000000

20000000

25000000

30000000

35000000

40000000

45000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Diabetes By Walkability Quintiles

$5,937,594 $6,139,059 $5,935,477

$5,160,542

$3,146,015

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

7000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Hypertension By Walkability Quintiles

$90,075,887

$105,122,594

$83,865,195

$68,088,649$62,474,936

0

20000000

40000000

60000000

80000000

100000000

120000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Heart Disease By Walkability Quintiles

$58,148,866

$30,166,479$35,217,544

$19,816,445$14,125,482

0

10000000

20000000

30000000

40000000

50000000

60000000

70000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Diabetes By Park Quintiles

$10,263,042

$4,233,526

$5,518,380

$3,144,093 $3,159,647

0

2000000

4000000

6000000

8000000

10000000

12000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Hypertension By Park Quintiles

$142,629,965

$96,271,502$88,576,832

$38,127,401 $44,021,562

0

20000000

40000000

60000000

80000000

100000000

120000000

140000000

160000000

1 2 3 4 5

Total Direct Cost Related to Heart Disease By Park Quintiles

Walkability Park Access (Number of Parks)

Diabetes

Hypertension

Heart Disease

Our findings show that the type of neighbourhood you live in matters for your health. This means the type of investments we make in transportation infrastructure, parks, and land use actions will impact how much money we spend on health care. To show this relationship, we estimated annual direct cost to the health care system by linking the My Health My Community data with the Economic Burden of Illness in Canada and the Canadian Community Disease Surveillance System estimates (see link below) for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in the lower mainland. Our findings suggest the type of neighbourhood you live in matters for your health.

Car dependent

Somewhat car dependent

Somewhat walkable

Moderately walkable

Walkable

Car dependent


Somewhat walkable

Moderately walkable

Walkable

Car dependent


Somewhat walkable

Moderately walkable

Walkable

0-1 1-2 2-4 4-6 6 or more

0-1 1-2 2-4 4-6 6 or more

0-1 1-2 2-4 4-6 6 or more

The estimated direct health care cost in a moderately walkable area is 23% less than in a car dependent area. 48% less is spent in a neighborhood with 1-2 parks nearby and 75% less is spent in a neighborhood with 6 or more parks than in a neighborhood with 0-1 parks. .

The estimated direct healthcare cost in a walkable area is 47% less than in a car dependent area. 59% less is spent in a neighborhood with 1-2 parks nearby and 69% less is spent in a neighborhood with 6 or more parks than in a neighborhood with 0-1 parks.

The estimated direct healthcare cost in a walkable area is 31% less than in a car dependent area. 33% less is spent in a neighborhood with 1-2 parks nearby and 69% less is spent in a neighborhood with 6 or more parks than in a neighborhood with 0-1 parks.

Economic Burden of Illness in Canada: http://cost-illness.canada.ca/custom-personnalise/national.php?clear=1Canadian Community Disease Surveillance System: https://infobase.phac-aspc.gc.ca/CCDSS-SCSMC/data-tool/?l=eng&HRs=59&DDLV=1&DDLM=PREV&CBVS=on&Age=1andOver&1=M&2=F&DDLFrm=2010&DDLTo=2010&VIEW=2


So What? Policy Implications and Fiscal ImpactsOur findings reveal that the type of neighbourhood you live in matters for your health. For this reason, it is important to recognize that the type of investments we make in our transportation infrastructure, and the resulting land use patterns of our communities, will ultimately impact the money we individually and collectively as a society spend on healthcare.

In terms of walkability, people living in an urban centre have lower healthcare spending compared to those living in an exurban area for both diabetes and high blood pressure. In terms of park access, people living in an area with a high number of parks (6 or more) within a 1 kilometer distance have the lowest health care spending compared to those with no parks nearby.

Applying the ResearchSource: Frank et al. 2010, The Hidden Health Costs of Transportation, American Public Health Association.

Transit investment and TOD Business Case: Policies to promote fixed guideway transit investment integrated with high density walkable development based on predicted reductions in chronic disease and associated health care cost savings.

Green Space: Investments in parks, green space, and open space programs to foster increased access to recreational environments based on predicted physical and mental (sense of community and social capital) benefits and health care cost savings.

Active Transportation Planning: Application of results demonstrating health and economic benefits of investing in active transportation to help justify increased funding for pedestrian and bike infrastructure and to help with defining needs and prioritizing investments.

Land Use Scenario Planning: Regulatory and fiscal policies to support increased access to shops and services and overall land use mix and densification and creation of contrasting future growth scenarios linked with health outcomes and costs.

Health Equity: Investing in underserved communities where transit, active transportation, greenspace, and policies to promote local access to shops and services are most needed to reduce the chronic disease burden born by the most disadvantaged.


“WHAT GETS MEASURED GETS DONE...”


METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL PARKS Summary of Events

October 2019

DATE UPCOMING EVENTS

05 OCT 2019 Nature Hike to Jug Island (NEW) BELCARRA REGIONAL PARK

Heritage Apple Day DERBY REACH REGIONAL PARK

06 OCT 2019 Autumn Botanical Watercolours (NEW) BRAE ISLAND REGIONAL PARK

Bowen Island Applefest CRIPPEN REGIONAL PARK

Peak to Creek (NEW) KANAKA CREEK REGIONAL PARK

Wonderful Wetlands Tour GLEN VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

08 OCT 2019 Piper Spit Bird Count BURNABY LAKE REGIONAL PARK

Bugs in the Forest CAPILANO RIVER REGIONAL PARK

09 OCT 2019 Mysterious Mosses Magnified (NEW) CAMPBELL VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

12 OCT 2019 Salamander Searchers BELCARRA REGIONAL PARK

13 OCT 2019 Fantastical Forest Photo Walk (NEW) KANAKA CREEK REGIONAL PARK

Scales, Talons and Claws KANAKA CREEK REGIONAL PARK

6.2


19 OCT 2019 Flashlight Mysteries DEAS ISLAND REGIONAL PARK 20 OCT 2019 Return of the Salmon KANAKA CREEK REGIONAL PARK 22 OCT 2019 The Story of the Salmon CAPILANO RIVER REGIONAL PARK 26 OCT 2019 Coho Commotion CAPILANO RIVER REGIONAL PARK

Wander the Woods by Night (NEW) TYNEHEAD REGIONAL PARK 27 OCT 2019 Scales, Talons & Claws KANAKA CREEK REGIONAL PARK

*Note: For more information on Regional Parks Programs & Events, please visit http://www.metrovancouver.org/events/calendar 30500574


http://www.metrovancouver.org/events/calendar

Documents

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT …Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District ( MVRD) Regional Parks Committee held at :00 9a.m. on Wednesday, July 10,