Frontenac Green Street Concepts

Consultation has concluded, the engagement report is available online.

Decorative image showing a cartoon style graphic depiction of a multiuse pathway next to a neighbourhood road and sidewalk with a tree lined street. Pedestrians are pictured walking and running, there are families and children, a cyclist and a wheelchair user.

Williamsville is a historic, growing and active neighbourhood that is located between downtown and central Kingston. A key part of what contributes to its character is the high use of active modes of transportation, such as walking or biking. Recently we carried out some public engagement on a transportation study in Williamsville. During that engagement, we heard that community members wanted to see infrastructure built to support active travel along commonly used routes in the neighbourhood. One of the big themes brought forward was the "green street" concept.

Green streets are intended to be more pedestrian-focused with more greenery, rest areas and space to increase pedestrian comfort. They also include traffic calming measures to slow down traffic. These streets have more space dedicated to the boulevard, providing space for trees that provide more shade in the summer. These features work together to encourage more active travel like walking or biking.

What does a green street mean to you?

We're trying to better understand what Williamsville community members envision when thinking about green streets.

Three potential green street concepts have been developed using Frontenac Street as an example. These concepts show three different approaches to greening streets. We would like to know what you think about these ideas. In the future, these concepts – developed with your input – may inform future street improvements.

A public open house took place on Oct. 26 from 6 - 8 p.m. The informational materials from that event can be viewed online. A survey was conducted during the Oct. 26 in-person open house, for those who were unable to attend but wanted to leave feedback an online version was accessible until Nov. 17

More on Williamsville transportation

Decorative image showing a cartoon style graphic depiction of a multiuse pathway next to a neighbourhood road and sidewalk with a tree lined street. Pedestrians are pictured walking and running, there are families and children, a cyclist and a wheelchair user.

Williamsville is a historic, growing and active neighbourhood that is located between downtown and central Kingston. A key part of what contributes to its character is the high use of active modes of transportation, such as walking or biking. Recently we carried out some public engagement on a transportation study in Williamsville. During that engagement, we heard that community members wanted to see infrastructure built to support active travel along commonly used routes in the neighbourhood. One of the big themes brought forward was the "green street" concept.

Green streets are intended to be more pedestrian-focused with more greenery, rest areas and space to increase pedestrian comfort. They also include traffic calming measures to slow down traffic. These streets have more space dedicated to the boulevard, providing space for trees that provide more shade in the summer. These features work together to encourage more active travel like walking or biking.

What does a green street mean to you?

We're trying to better understand what Williamsville community members envision when thinking about green streets.

Three potential green street concepts have been developed using Frontenac Street as an example. These concepts show three different approaches to greening streets. We would like to know what you think about these ideas. In the future, these concepts – developed with your input – may inform future street improvements.

A public open house took place on Oct. 26 from 6 - 8 p.m. The informational materials from that event can be viewed online. A survey was conducted during the Oct. 26 in-person open house, for those who were unable to attend but wanted to leave feedback an online version was accessible until Nov. 17

More on Williamsville transportation

Consultation has concluded, the engagement report is available online.

  • Approval of Williamsville Transportation Study

    Last week City Council approved recommendations from the Williamsville Transportation Study including a preferred design concept for cycling infrastructure along Princess Street.

    What’s next?

    The City will proceed with a future reconstruction of a portion of Princess Street, which will include a physically separated cycle tracks on both sides of Princess Street between Division Street and Alfred Street. Details on this option are available in the memo from early May.

    The Williamsville bikeway network will be incorporated into future capital projects. As we complete upgrades to the road and underground infrastructure in the area we will build out the bikeway network. Green street concepts will also be incorporated into these future improvements.

    Finally, the City will develop plans for operation, maintenance, enforcement and other things needed to make sure that this new bike infrastructure is kept in good shape and accessible to cyclists.

    Public engagement

    Williamsville’s community truly showed up to engage on this project. The project team is grateful for the time and energy the community contributed. From reviewing our drafts, offering feedback, attending open houses all of that take time effort and thought. Because of your involvement we were able to develop a plan that will better address the needs of Williamsville’s Community as it grows.

    Thank you for your time, your feedback and your attention.

    The details

    If you’re looking for the full approved study, it’s available on the newly relaunched City of Kingston website(External link). The motion that Council approved is copied below:

    That the conclusions of the Williamsville Transportation Study presented in Report Number EITP-24-018 be adopted by Council; and

    That the preferred concept for Princess Street that prioritizes cycle tracks and pedestrian infrastructure, identified as Alternative 2B in Report Number EITP-24-018, be incorporated into the detailed design and reconstruction of Princess Street as part of future capital projects and redevelopment opportunities; and

    That the identified neighbourhood cycling network and facilities, as identified in Exhibit A and Exhibit G in Report Number EITP-24-018, be incorporated into future capital projects and development opportunities planned for identified streets; and

    That the green street principles and concepts, as identified in Exhibit A in Report Number EITP-24-018, be established as options that can be integrated into neighbourhood streets slated for reconstruction in approved and future capital budgets; and

    That Council direct staff to develop plans for operations, maintenance, enforcement, and other ongoing actions to support new infrastructure on Princess Street, the neighbourhood cycling network, and local streets where green street elements are added to be incorporated into future capital and operating budgets.


    Thanks,

    The Williamsville Transportation Study Team

  • Engagement summary

    The engagement report for this project was compiled and published as part of the reporting on the broader Williamsville Transportation Study engagement work.

    You can read the comprehensive report summarizing the fall engagement work, which includes reporting on what we heard from the Frontenac Green Street survey.

    For more information on Williamsville transportation public engagement please read the summary with links to the full reports.

  • Notice of public open house

    Community members are invited to a Public Open House at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (236 Nelson St.) on Oct. 26. The event is a drop-in style open house and community members may come by anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

    This open house is being hosted to present additional information based on the community engagement completed in the spring. It is particularly focused on the transportation priorities and concepts along Princess Street, between Division and Concession Street, also known as Williamsville Mainstreet.

    Community members can learn about the study’s analysis completed to date, view the concepts that have been developed and ask questions of technical experts. Staff from the City of Kingston will also be seeking feedback on how to improve neighbourhood bike routes in the Williamsville area.

    Feedback received during the open house will be used in the study process to refine options for the community to consider. In January a first draft report on transportation options, including the feedback received through the study, will be released for more public comment. That feedback will be used to further refine the report before it goes to City Council and committee in February 2024.

    Background

    In the spring of 2023, the City of Kingston began the second phase of a transportation study of Princess Street through Williamsville. The area around Williamsville is growing and great care needs to be taken to plan for the future of transportation along Princess Street to ensure it meets the needs of the community.

    Princess Street is currently a very significant route for pedestrians, personal and commercial motor vehicles, transit (including express service) and cyclists. However, the width of the street is fixed and that makes it a challenge to prioritize all modes of travel on that street. This study seeks to identify the options for transportation planning to support growth in the neighbourhood and community well-being.

    For more details, background and history on the Williamsville Transportation study visit the City’s of Kingston’s public engagement hub, Get Involved Kingston. We are also seeking feedback on Green Streets in Williamsville, learn more and let us know what you think.

  • Green street concepts

    Below are three different types of green street concepts. Each concept contains a cross-section or ground-level view and an overhead or plan view of the street to give you an idea of how they might look.

    Once you have reviewed these please let us know your favourite by completing the survey before Nov. 3 at 4.p.m.

    Option 1 - Green mid-level

    This option provides a medium amount of green street features, adding additional tree plantings and a mid-block bump out that is planted with flowers and greenery.

    Option 1 shows a medium level approach for implementing a Green Street. This option includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block and at the middle of the block.

    Option 1 shows a medium level approach for implementing a Green Street. This option includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block and at the middle of the block.

    Option 2 - Green lite

    This is the lightest green street model and retains parking on the street while adding curb bump-outs with plants and greenery at the intersection as well as bench seating.

    Option 2 shows an alternative approach for implementing a Green Street that includes fewer alterations than Option 1. Option 2 includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block.

    Option 2 shows an alternative approach for implementing a Green Street that includes fewer alterations than Option 1. Option 2 includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block.

    Option 3 - Green heavy

    The heaviest green street model uses all of the features in the lite and mid concepts. It also adds a raised pedestrian crossing to help slow traffic.

    Option 3 shows an alternative approach for implementing a Green Street that includes more alterations than Option 1. Option 3 includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block, longer bump outs at the middle of the block, and a raised crosswalk at both ends of the block.

    Option 3 shows an alternative approach for implementing a Green Street that includes more alterations than Option 1. Option 3 includes planted bump outs with benches at both ends of the block, longer bump outs at the middle of the block, and a raised crosswalk at both ends of the block.