Bike racks and new planters on the way

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/05/2014 (4482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some exciting news arose from the Beautify Elmwood & Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation’s follow-up meeting, at which several subcommittees presented their progress on the recently created action plan.  

“We have secured some funds for this year and we will be upgrading our presence in Elmwood,” explained Jan Stuyck, a founding member.  

The people of Elmwood can expect to see new flower planter boxes and bike racks throughout their neighbourhood this summer. The flower boxes are an upgrade to the current wooden boxes and the bike racks will be a bright and original addition.

“We have been putting out flowers for over eight years now but our flower boxes are wooden and we had come to a crossroads as to what we were going to do. We have decided to purchase new self-watering boxes that will look great and be a lot less work. We will still have to put water in them but not as much as we do now,” Stuyck said.

The bike racks, as part of the active living strategy portion of the action plan, will encourage people to bring their bikes to more places, and people from other parts of the city will be encouraged to bike to Elmwood.

Imagine venturing across the new Disraeli pedestrian bridge into the heavily treed Elmwood area this summer.

Project Machine’s Marc Guppy conceptualized and created an original bike rack design.

“Marc really listened and did some great problem solving to build 12 bike racks for us,” Stuyck said.

“The bike racks themselves will be the silhouette of a bike so you will see the two wheels and handle bars. The instalments are a beautiful green colour that will make a real statement. The message is that it’s a beautiful community and a safe community and you can come and bring your bike.”

My favourite part was when Stuyck said “there will be little bike racks for little kids  — where little kids will be.”

This will be delightful to see and will make young people to feel welcome.

“In partnership with the City of Winnipeg Active Trails and the River East Neighbourhood Network we have six areas of development in our action plan and some fairly lofty goals over the next few years but for this year our focus is on the bike traffic and flowers that we are encouraging to bloom on Henderson Highway,” Stuyck said.

Beautify Elmwood is also helping to promote Riverwood Church’s annual clean-up.

For more information contact Dale Karasiuk at chalmersreneal@mymts.net – 204-669-0750.

Evan Comstock is a community correspondent for East Kildonan.