Visions of Fulford - Ron Bain

Some early thoughts on the Vision for Fulford Village

The Vision for Fulford Village should:
- respect its history and its small village character;
- respect its importance as a gathering place in the surrounding community of south Salt Spring Island;
- provide a direction to guide our future that is clear and lasting; which has the support of the residents, local businesses, and the surrounding community;
 - and help those who later wish to become a part of the community to understand us.

My Vision of Fulford - Harold Page

1. It seems a pity that the Inn, the churches, Hall, & marina could not be included within the "village" if consequent further commercial development could somehow be avoided.  These are all very much a part of what we think of as the village.
 
2.There needs to be a general cleanup (again) of the area around the docks and floats.
 
3. It is pretty obvious that better inspection and correction of sewage and drainage systems around the village is sorely needed.
 
4. Commuter parking.  I can`t see why Fulford should be expected to provide free parking for those who merely use it to leave their vehicles while they go somewhere else.  There should be an off-road lot allocated for this use- likely paid parking.
 
5. I am not one who believes that the Ferry Corp should be solely responsible for ferry parking and passenger pickup and dropoff.  Ferries (tries) to provide for the traffic that we Islanders present to it; in other words, it is we, not Ferries, that are creating the problem.  This should be an important issue that Islands Trust considers when it looks at development proposals.  It is a land use issue, and as such, Trust planners need to work with Ferries and the communitry to find solutions.  I wrote a proposal quite a long time ago and gave it to Bruce Patterson (since he`s in the middle of all this) which suggested acquiring a large lot across from the former Lacy property to be a parking lot and holding area for ferry traffic. No parked vehicles would be allowed on the hill. The existing ferry parking lot would be used as an "expansion tank", filled from the holding area in increments - like packet switching as a telecom analogy - controlled by electric traffic signals operated from the ferry terminal.  While not filling the "tank", the road down the hill would be used for normal vehicle traffic. I am quite aware that all this sounds kind of complicated, but how else does one create space where there is none ?? 
 
6. We certainly agree that Fulford village should retain its rural (funky ? ) character, and not become a "destination resort" area.

Harold Page
05 March 2008

My Vision of Fulford in 20 Years - John Moore

A comfortable, happy, presentable, safe place with a rural, green “south-end” character, that lives in harmony with Nature.  Friendly to pedestrians and –yes– drivers too; a residential community with a quiet, older core and more dispersed surroundings, served by a variety of small businesses and community facilities that allow one to be self-sufficient locally and also to attract visitors from elsewhere; symbiotic with BC Ferries with a smooth flow of visitor traffic; extending around the head of Fulford Harbour from Drummond Park to Reginald Hill as well as a short distance toward the east. 

 

25 February 2008 

 

This vision may seem generalized, but it carries a number of implications that are more specific, for example: 

 

• the core needs preservation but Heritage designation may be too confining 

• there should be some expansion of commercial space, including gathering places, at least that allowed within existing zoning 

• pedestrian walkways are necessary between the ferry and local businesses, extending to the marinas and the Fulford Inn area 

• parking and wait space must be adequate for the ferries (passengers and staff) as well as for customers of the local businesses and should not break up the village core nor impede local vehicle and pedestrian flow 

• Fulford needs to remove parking on Morningside and improve that road all the way to Fulford-Ganges Road, so as to avert the risk of serious consequences in the event of a fire or other emergency; there is a significant danger of further slope failure that would cut off road access via Morningside 

• as there is presently no alternative access to the community beyond Patterson’s store, in the short term an emergency access needs to be established (best through Sunnyside) • in the longer term we need a regular alternative access to the village area.  The only prospective route likely to be acceptable lies through the large Fraser property  

• any expansion of housing and commercial space requires an increased supply of water (but not necessarily a community sewer system) 

• any development must take into account the conservation of the land, shoreline and marine environment  

  

How are roads, walkways, parking lots etc. to be financed? 

• BC Ferries must be depended upon to undertake the main parking/wait space solution 

• local parking could be integrated with the BCF development but requires funds from CRD 

• road upgrading is a MOT responsibility 

• Heritage designation is unlikely to be a fiscal solution 

• other amenities will probably have to be tied to development any future medium/high density residential development will have to provide its own solutions to water supply and waste disposal.  To be economically viable, this will have to be of a suitable scale.  

 

rev. 13 March 2008 

Fulford Community 2025 - Fulford Community School

On March 12th, Fulford Community School teacher, Jim Lightfoot, asked his Grade 5 class to think about what Fulford would be like in the year 2025. Their insight and interests are documented in 23 blog entries.

Fulford Community 2025 - #23

I think they should widen the road so we can have an extra car lane along the side of the road because in ten years we're going to need a bigger ferry with at least 138 cars.

Fulford Community 2025 - #22

I would like there to be more forests because people are cutting down all the trees. I would like there to be a walking path by the side of the road.

Fulford Community 2025 - #21

I think that maybe a trail to Drummond park please?!?! Or some more places to shop please?!?! Or some safer stuff in the park?!? Please???? Well I got 2 more ideas. Some more places to eat or some more technology?!?

Fulford Community 2025 - #20

In 17 years at the ferry I think we should have more parking. I think there should be trails.

Fulford Community 2025 - #19

In the future I hope that Fulford will not turn into downtown Victoria. Maybe there could be more parking at the Red School House. And more home grown food, that's not sprayed with chemicals because it's bad for you and it taste's really bad. That's my idea of changing the future.

Fulford Community 2025 - #18

Hopefully in 2025 they'll have a path through the woods for people to walk their dogs, walk in peace, bike and just listen to the birds. That would be really nice for the people who don't want to travel on feet on the road.

Fulford Community 2025 - #17

Hi I don't have much to say. I just want to say that I would like a sidewalk and a bike lane but I don't want to make a city on Salt Spring so don't build condos everywhere, just remember what I said.

Fulford Community 2025 - #16

I think that it would be cool if we have more parking space for the ferry traffic and a Subway  for when you come back from the ferry at night and you're really hungry, and if we had an entertainment hall in Fulford.

Fulford Community 2025 - #15

In the future I would like to see a bigger parking lot for less traffic at the ferry, biking lanes that I can bike safely.

Fulford Community 2025 - #14

I think it would be cool if we have a better soccer field and a trail to the beach and the ferry.

Fulford Community 2025 - #13

In the year of 2025 it would be nice if Drummond park could have a little bit more equipment and a little more swings. I and some of the other classmates would like a biking lane on the sides of the roads for people to walk bikes, skateboard and walk. It would also be nice if there could be more bike locks (like the things that are like cages kinda!).

Fulford Community 2025 - #12

In 2025 Fulford would have...flower gardens everywhere and lots of walking paths and there would not be such busy roads. The traffic would have a different road to get to Ganges and the locals would have the main road. That what I think Fulford would be like in 2025.

Fulford Community 2025 - #11

In 2025, I would much appreciate some bike or walkways along the road because there is lots of traffic when the ferry unloads and when me and my sister are biking down to get some things it is very hard to avoid all the traffic. Can we please have a small grocery store so we don't have to go into town every time we need some food. More parking!

Fulford Community 2025 - #10

I like how Fulford is right now but I think there could be a couple of changes for example, a new soccer field, a better park, a basketball court.

Fulford Community 2025 - #9

I would like a bicycle path to Ruckle Park.

Fulford Community 2025 - #8

Another public park, a skate boarding shop, more space for ferry traffic, a bike trail in the forest, a candy- ice cream shop, more space on the side of the road.