More pocket parks will help the climate - GVAT Letter in Times Colonist

Re: “Victoria to look at creating more car-free zones and plazas,” Jan. 19.

Victoria Coun. Krista Loughton is correct that in addition to the social benefits of creating pocket parks and plazas, they can “do a lot for climate action.” But one or two nice plazas won’t do much for meeting Victoria’s climate and traffic safety targets.

Many other cities have scaled up these types of interventions to significantly reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation, as well as greatly improving livability, safety, and health.

Decades ago, road space reallocation at Fernwood Square, Gower Park, Haegert Park and Queens Park (George Jay School) created a small, low-traffic neighbourhood in Fernwood.

With low-cost temporary materials, many low-traffic neighbourhoods can be quickly trialed — and they are usually very popular.

Low-traffic neighbourhoods are essential for meeting the City’s “Go Victoria” targets for reducing “average vehicle kilometres travelled per household” and eliminating “traffic fatalities and severe injuries.” B.C.’s CleanBC target of reducing car traffic 25% by 2030 is even more ambitious than the city’s.

Five years ago, the city declared a climate emergency, recognizing that previous climate action efforts were insufficient. We are deeper in that emergency now and need a lot of delightful pocket parks to meet our climate targets.

Eric Doherty and Jane Welton

Climate Justice Team Co-leads

Greater Victoria Acting Together

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/letters-jan-23-appreciating-hockey-day-keep-the-building-at-site-of-new-park-playing-hardball-with-pickleball-8147552